Two cadets from Fork Union Military Academy’s Robotics Team made an impressive debut in the world of combat robotics, showcasing their skill and determination in a competition in Maryland over Spring Break. Cadet Chrysander Rahardjo placed fourth out of 27 competitors with his robot, Mini Kiwi 2, while cadet Thomas Keaton made his debut in the one-pound Combat Robotics division.

Cadet Rahardjo, the current captain of the Fork Union Robotics Team, has been a passionate advocate for the program since his first year. A largely self-taught engineer, he has developed his skills through countless hours of research and application, particularly in Computer-Aided Design (CAD), physics, and troubleshooting robot performance during combat and testing.

“There is plenty of trial and error in BattleBots,” said Rahardjo. “A design is put through its paces during events, and flaws are revealed. Our goal is to identify and solve them while learning efficient solutions along the way.”

This success marks the start of a new hands-on STEM opportunity at the Academy, with a combat robotics program officially launching next year. Students will design and compete with one-pound plastic robots, an adrenaline-filled experience combining engineering, creativity, and critical thinking.

“It was inspiring to see a community of engineers supporting young STEM students at the event,” added Rahardjo. “The atmosphere was electrifying, filled with discussions about design and careers—it was a great networking opportunity. I’m especially proud of Thomas for stepping out of his comfort zone. This event sparked his interest in CAD, combat strategy, and physics. That’s exactly what our robotics club aims to foster, and I look forward to guiding more students through this journey.”

Fork Union will look to compete in two more competitions this spring.