Scott Neal has joined an elite class. Neal, an assistant chief with the Bullhead City Fire Department, recently graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School for Homeland Defense and Security. Neal earned a master’s degree in security studies. His achievement was marked with a Dec. 15 graduation ceremony at the Naval Postgraduate School, in Monterey, Calif. The 18-month program included online coursework as well as quarterly in-residence classroom portions. Each participant also was required to complete a thesis on issues confronting his sponsoring organization and dedicate at least two years of service to the agency in a homeland security mission.