USNA LEAD

FY-26 Leadership, Education, and Development (LEAD) Master's Program
 

The LEAD Master’s Program provides graduate education and preparation for talented, highly qualified URL officers to serve as Company Officers at the United States Naval Academy and for continued future service in the Navy.  Officers selected for this fully-funded program will spend one year obtaining a Master of Science in Leadership, Education, and Development from the Naval Postgraduate School via distance learning from Annapolis, Maryland.  Officers will be stationed at Annapolis, Maryland for the entirety of their 3 year tour, with the possibility of short TAD periods in Monterey, California. The coursework will also allow the students to obtain the 4500 Sub-Specialty Code. After spending the first year focused on obtaining their MS, officers will then complete a two-year follow-on commitment as a Company Officer at USNA.  There is a requirement for three years of Active-Duty service after completion of a Master's degree, the first two-years of which are served at the Naval Academy.  Additional information on the LEAD Master’s Program can be found at https://www.usna.edu/LEAD/Lead-Masters-Program/index.php

 
Interested Officers should submit:

• A completed application, forwarded to your cognizant detailer.  A sample can be found at https://www.usna.edu/LEAD/Lead-Masters-Program/LEAD-Program-Application.php

• A personal statement that specifically addresses the reason for your application to the LEAD program to include how the program fits into your career goals and your expectations with respect to the program.

• An unofficial copy of all Undergraduate or Graduate transcripts.

• Last 3 Fitness Reports.

• Chain of Command endorsement.

• Additional letters of recommendation (desired, not required; academic references encouraged).
  *A GRE is NOT required for this program but scores are an optional supplement to application materials*

​Deadline: Applications for FY26 participants must be submitted to detailers no later than 31 October 2025.  All packages will be vetted by detailers to ensure your career timing aligns with the program. 
 
*NOTE: If selected to the LEAD Master’s Program and servicemember opts to accept orders, it will incur a term of obligated service (OBLISERV) to remain on active-duty for three years following completion of the educational portion of the LEAD program. The service obligation is discharged concurrently with any other service obligation already incurred. The specific terms should be confirmed with your community detailer and will be explicitly outlined in the details of your written PCS orders.

Contact your respective detailer to discuss eligibility.

USNA POC: LCDR Lindsey Santiago lsantiag@usna.edu

For program application questions, please contact your detailer or LCDR Jenna Quist, PERS-443, at 901-874-4060.