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

VIENNA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 7, 2026--

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.

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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.

2026 Navy Federal Credit Union ROTC All-American Scholarship Program Finalists

Tropical Storm Isaias could make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast as a hurricane this weekend, hours before No. 2 Georgia plays at No. 6 Alabama in a major college football game on Saturday night that President Donald Trump is planning to attend.

Forecasters say Isaias could become a hurricane by Thursday and make landfall late Friday or early Saturday somewhere along the Alabama-Mississippi-Florida coastlines before moving north. The storm could prompt schools to cancel games, change kickoff times or even move games to other locations. The Southwestern Athletic Conference moved Florida A&M’s game at Alabama State from Saturday to Friday morning.

Trump, who attended Texas' win over Tennessee in another Southeastern Conference game on Sept. 26, was asked Wedneasday about the storm.

“I love Alabama. I’ve got to go to the game,” Trump responded.

Trump said he didn’t want to do “anything to take the focus” away from “all of the great people that work on those things,” including first responders and police, adding “We’ll have to see” about his travel plans.

Georgia and Alabama have not disclosed backup plans for the game scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern in Tuscaloosa, 200 miles inland from the coast. Alabama issued a statement saying “at this time there are no plans to alter the contest” but officials at the school and the SEC will continue to monitor conditions. The SEC ultimately makes the decision.

“It’s uncertainty beyond my control,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “I’m focused on trying to prepare our team and game plan and scheme.”

Smart said Georgia went through similar preparations last week with the threat of severe weather surrounding its game against Vanderbilt. The weather turned into a non-event in the Bulldogs’ 38-14 win.

“We had that same prep last week with the threat of those things,” he said. “You can’t really practice conditions. You can’t simulate them, so you’re much better off to educate, learn from the past of other people that have played in them, and prepare your team to play and not make it about that.”

The storm could trigger flash floods with dangerous winds, heavy rain and tornados. Events in Alabama have already been canceled. Alabama meteorologist James Spann told AL.com that moving the game to Sunday night would be the best choice.

Smart and Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said they were being updated but didn't outline contingency plans.

“I’m not really involved in too much, just updated on kind of where things stand," DeBoer said. "If there’s anything that would need to be adjusted, but you know, I haven’t heard anything recently.”

In 1988, Alabama postponed a Sept. 17 game at Texas A&M to December because of Hurricane Gilbert. Georgia's 2016 game at South Carolina was pushed to Sunday due to Hurricane Matthew while the LSU-Florida game that same Saturday was postponed to November.

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This satellite image from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Tropical Storm Isaias off the eastern coast of Mexico on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via AP)

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer reacts to a call during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/James Pugh)