MOULTRIE, Ga. (WALB) — Britton Marshall has become the first student at Colquitt County High School (CCHS) to earn the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship, a highly competitive national award that covers college tuition and prepares recipients to become officers in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps.

Only 40 students across the country received the NROTC scholarship this year.

“It really meant a lot to me, but like, I was really surprised. I honestly, I had a lot of doubts,” Marshall said. “It really lets me know that what my brother said, what my dad said, what my mom said— It was all true. And that they’ve always had faith in me.”

Requirements for the scholarship are strict. Applicants must have at least a 2.75 GPA, score at least 1100 on the SAT and pass certain physical fitness requirements.

Marshall credits many people in his life with helping him reach this achievement but said his brother had the biggest impact.

“My brother. Especially my brother. Huge study buddy,” Marshall said. “Every bit of free time we had was devoted to us really putting effort into studying for SATs, working out, getting in shape and really making sure that everything we did was for a purpose.”

Marshall’s parents, Brittany and Michael Marshall, said they are proud of their son’s accomplishment.

“Super proud. Extremely proud of his hard work. Proud. No words. Just extremely proud of him,” they said.

The impressive scholarship will cover 100% of Marshall’s tuition while giving him the chance to start training for the Marines.

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