In total, the credit union has donated over $540,000 to ROTC cadets through its scholarship program since 2018.

Navy Federal Credit Union selected the top Air Force, Army and Navy/Marine students as the three ROTC All-American Scholarship Program Students of the Year. The program honors the nation’s best and brightest ROTC seniors in all branches of military service. A panel of judges—Navy Federal employees and Veterans from across the branches of service—chooses the recipients based on the pillars of the ROTC program: Leadership, Military Excellence, Scholarship and Service.

Since the scholarship program’s inception in 2018, Navy Federal has received nearly 1,300 ROTC student nominations, and in 2024, 219 qualifying nominations were submitted from ROTC units at 216 schools across the nation. The Students of the Year each receive a $6,500 scholarship, and their Booster Club or Student Fund receives a $5,000 donation.

“We’re honored to celebrate the leadership achievements, community service and academic accomplishments of these cadets and midshipman,” said Jamey Shuls, Air Force Veteran and a judge for the ROTC All-American Scholarship Program. “It’s outstanding to see the passion and hard work they’ve put into reaching their goals, while helping others in their units achieve success too.”

Representing St. John’s University (NY) Army ROTC, Mikolaj Radaszkiewicz is studying homeland security and military leadership. Among the notable positions, Cadet Radaszkiewicz serves as the unit’s Finance Committee President and Military Science Club President. In these positions, he manages the program’s funds, as well as organizes events for the military and civilian community to build relationships and a support system.

“The importance of leadership in someone's life is that it provides purpose, direction, motivation and the reason why they get up in the morning,” said Cadet Radaszkiewicz. “Seeing the sacrifice people make inspired me to pursue an Army career.”

He has a deep desire to serve others in the community—from advocating to end world hunger through the ROTC battalion food drive to volunteering countless hours with organizations that advocate for animal habitat conservation.

“I immigrated to the United States from Poland with my mom when I was just five years old, and I went to school here ever since,” said Cadet Radaszkiewicz. “I’m very thankful for everything that this country has given me, and I wanted to find a way to give back.”

Adam Viener of the University of South Carolina’s Air Force ROTC is studying finance, supply chain management and aerospace studies. His goal is to become an Airfield Operations Officer or Logistics Readiness Officer. He was selected as the Detachment 775 Operations Group Commander—overseeing the training and development of all 80 cadets within the Wing.

“My leadership style really starts with focusing on servant leadership,” said Cadet Viener. “I make sure that I’m in check before I'm able to have a real influence on other people.”

As a member of the business fraternity on campus, Cadet Viener has dedicated over 60 hours to mentor new freshman on professional development and other tangible life skills to help students excel in the business world. Outside of ROTC and school, he’s an avid volunteer in his local community—dedicating over 87 hours to various causes, such as food banks, animal shelters and community events.

“I truly believe if you’re going to commit your time to something, you should try to give your best effort and that’s what I've really tried to do with this program through failures and successes,” added Cadet Viener.

Hailing from Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Navy/Marines ROTC, Kennedy Adkison is studying aeronautical and astronautical engineering. She’s held several leadership roles within her unit, including Boston NROTC Consortium Battalion Assistant Treasurer, MIT Company Fitness Leader, Officer in Charge for Boston NROTC Battalion Change of Command Ceremony, President of MIT Maseeh Hall Executive Council and MIT Varsity Softball Captain.

“My father serves in federal law enforcement, so I grew up around the service community and the idea of giving back,” said MIDN Adkison. “A lot of my journey through ROTC also comes rooted in wanting to be a part of something that's bigger than myself.”

Upon commissioning, MIDN Adkison aspires to join the Aviation Community by attending flight school in Pensacola, Fla., and her long-term goal is to apply for the Astronaut Candidate Program—reflecting her commitment to critical missions of national importance.

“Being able to go to MIT academically, participate in ROTC and gain a commission into the Navy was really the best of three worlds for me,” added MIDN Adkison. “It’s been a great experience because I’ve gained extra leadership opportunities from the side that’ll hopefully benefit me in my Navy career.”

The Students of the Year will be honored guests of the Go Bowling Military Bowl on December 28 at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD, featured on ESPN’s broadcast of the game and spotlighted across Navy Federal’s social media channels.

To learn more about the scholarship program and the Students of the Year, visit rotcaa.navyfederal.org.