From 239 Nominations, Navy Federal Awards 15 ROTC All-American Scholars

Launched in 2018, Navy Federal has received more than 2,000 student nominations and donated $691,000 to ROTC cadets and cadres through its scholarship program

VIENNA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fifteen ROTC seniors from across the country are taking the next step toward their futures with the help of Navy Federal Credit Union, which recently awarded its annual ROTC All-American Scholarships in recognition of their academic and military excellence.

Now in its 9^th year, the program has become an annual tradition for Navy Federal, which contacts all 542 collegiate ROTC units nationwide each year inviting them to nominate students for recognition through the ROTC All-American Scholarship Program. Since 2018, the credit union has received more than 2,000 student submissions and recognized 124 students through the scholarship initiative.

From this year’s 239 qualifying nominations, a panel of Navy Federal employees, all military Veterans, selected 15 scholarship finalists based on the ROTC program’s four pillars: Leadership, Military Excellence, Scholarship and Service.

Five students were chosen from each branch of service — Army, Air Force, Navy/Marine Corps — bringing together students representing all branches of military service.

A first-time judge for the ROTC All-American Scholarship Program, retired Army Colonel and Navy Federal employee James Pritchett, said the experience has been especially meaningful to him.

Pritchett spent 25 years in uniform, including leading Ranger School training at Eglin Air Force Base and serving as Professor of Military Science for the Army ROTC program at the University of West Florida.

“These cadets represent the next generation of leaders across every branch, and programs like this remind them that their commitment to leadership, excellence, scholarship and service doesn't go unnoticed,” he said. “Being a judge has given me the opportunity to give back to the ROTC community that shaped so much of my own career while helping identify the same qualities I tried to instill in my cadets: trust, accountability and teamwork.”

The finalists each receive a $2,500 scholarship and their Booster Club or Student Fund receives a $1,500 donation.

Retired Air Force Major and Navy Federal employee Jamey Shuls, a judge for the program and who spent 20 years in the Air Force, said he knows firsthand the impact that support, mentorship and opportunity can have on a young Servicemember’s journey.

“That’s why I’m especially grateful to be a part of Navy Federal’s ROTC All-American Scholarship Program and to have served as a scholarship judge for the past three years,” he said. “Navy Federal’s continued investment in our future military leaders is something I deeply appreciate, and it’s an honor to help identify and celebrate those who will go on to serve our country.”

From the 15 scholarship recipients, three students — one representing each branch of service — will be selected as the ROTC All-American Scholarship Program Students of the Year, receiving an additional distinction among their fellow scholarship recipients.

Those honorees will each receive a $6,500 scholarship, and their Booster Club or Student Fund receives a $5,000 donation.

The Students of the Year will be honored guests of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Jan. 2, 2027, and featured on ABC’s broadcast of the game. All the scholarship recipients will also be featured across Navy Federal’s social media channels.

To learn more about the scholarship program and view this year’s finalists, visit rotcaa.navyfederal.org.

Navy Federal Credit Union: Established in 1933 with only seven members, Navy Federal now has the distinct honor of serving more than 15 million members globally and is the world’s largest credit union. As a member-owned and not-for-profit organization, Navy Federal always puts the financial needs of its members first. Membership is open to all Department of Defense and Coast Guard Active Duty, Veterans, civilian and contractor personnel, and their families. Navy Federal employs a workforce of over 25,000 and has a global network of more than 380 branches. Navy Federal is contracted to operate the Department of Defense Community Bank program, which provides Active Duty military deployed overseas to access 60 branches spread across 11 countries. For more information about Navy Federal Credit Union, visit navyfederal.org.