Why You Don’t Have to Be in the Military to Attend the Naval Postgraduate School—How Brannon Snead Broke the Stereotype and What It Means for Athletes, First Responders, and Civilians Who Want to Level Up
Think the Naval Postgraduate School is just for military officers? Think again. In this blog, Brannon Snead sets the record straight—explaining how he earned a Homeland Security master’s degree through a $95K civilian scholarship and what it means for athletes, law enforcement, and professionals who are ready to pursue elite credentials without needing a uniform.
FROM TRAINING TO TRIUMPH - WHAT MILITARY AND SPORTS TEACH ABOUT LEADING, WINNING, AND GROWING IN LIFE
Coach Leo Young
10/10/20252 min read
You Don’t Have to Be in the Navy to Learn Like You Are
Brannon Snead hears the same thing all the time:
“Wait, how’d you get a Navy degree without being in the military?”
The answer? A civilian scholarship through FEMA and years of proving he could handle the work.
His education from the Naval Postgraduate School wasn’t a fluke. It was the result of discipline, persistence, and performance—exactly what top programs are looking for.
Have you ever felt like something wasn’t “meant for you” until you realized you could earn it anyway?
Drop your story in the comments on the full video and help someone break through.
Civilians Can Compete—If They’re Ready
Brannon’s story flips the script.
This wasn’t about luck. It was about earning credibility through consistent work.
From criminal justice degrees to midnight shifts, he showed he could do the job—and that made him eligible for one of the most competitive civilian education opportunities in the country.
The takeaway?
Don’t assume something’s out of reach because it looks elite.
Elite Doesn’t Mean Exclusive
The Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey isn’t just for uniformed service members.
Brannon attended through a Homeland Security-focused civilian track, designed for FEMA, law enforcement, and public-sector leaders who want next-level training.
✔ It’s real
✔ It’s rigorous
✔ And yes—you can earn it as a civilian
You just need the resume, the discipline, and the mindset.
What Coaches and Mentors Should Be Teaching
Young people—especially athletes—often think elite paths are “for other people.”
But Brannon’s story is proof: if you’re prepared, opportunities come.
Here’s what to reinforce:
✔ Challenge your players to think bigger
✔ Introduce them to scholarship programs beyond sports
✔ Explain how consistent character creates long-term credibility
✔ Share real-world paths they never knew existed
How Sore to Soaring Helps Athletes See What’s Possible
At Sore to Soaring, we challenge athletes to go beyond the expected.
✔ We expose them to opportunities they’ve never heard of
✔ We prepare them with discipline that carries beyond the field
✔ We teach them that leadership and learning never stop
🌍 Learn how we turn competitive athletes into uncommon leaders:
👉 https://www.soretosoaring.org
Disclaimer:
The content shared is for informational purposes only. This is not a judgment of any person or program mentioned. All names and events are discussed from personal memory and are not meant to accuse or endorse. The goal is to share insight from lived experience.
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#NonTraditionalPath #YouthLeadership #AthleteSuccessPath
