In anticipation of the upcoming deadlies for the STA-21 applicaions (a few months but packages take a while to get together), I figured I'd do one big post regarding the program:

First of all read this It's the official website regarding the program.

Now, for some commonly asked questions:

1. When should I apply?

When ever you feel you're ready. If you want a certain option pay attention to age requirements and such, though.

2. Can I take more than three years to complete my degree?

Not unless you seriously injure yourself and have to be put on a medical hold, but even then it has to be cleared by the powers-that-be. This has a tendency to aggravate OC's, because midshipmen can somehow talk the Navy into taking 5 years for a degree.

3. Can I apply to STA-21 if I already have a degree?

No, the program is sepecifically for sailors without degrees.

4. Should I take college courses before applying?

If you can, yes. Even just attaining CLEP credits will be helpful. If nothing else, it can make the course load easier while attending. Also, the STA-21 board likes to see credits completed. Be aware that as long as you are in a training status you will not be allowed to take classes outside the Navy.

5. What about my Nuke credits (or, for that matter, any credits earned through the Navy ACE program)?

Ah, nuke credits....The course of study chosen will determine how many credits are accepted at any school. You can always petition the school for more credits based on Navy schools but don't count on it. This is especially true of engineering degrees. DH only got 27 credits applied toward a CE, and he was lucky. Many can't pull even that many off. Typically you can only get (maybe) 12, but be prepared to petition and fight for credits to be applied, even as electives. This is why many OC's get poly-sci degrees, more credits are accepted.

I got 48 applied to a business management degree.

6. What program option should I choose?

Strictly dependent on what you want. That said, you may not have all options available to you either. For example, if you want to be a Submarine Officer you have to apply for the Nuke option either while in school as a student or while an instructor (they don't accpet even nuke-qualified personnel from the fleet. Still haven't figured that one out yet). If you want to be a pilot or NFO, you have to pass a flight physical before you report to NSI and get a approval, or at least, a waiver, from NAMI (which can be quite a pain to get done). If you want to be a SEAL, you must already be a SEAL. There are age restrictions (some of which can be waived) for each field as well.

Also, you need to realize that certain fields (ie pilot) will have tougher competition because more people want it and the field is fully manned. You up your chances of selection by applying to an undermanned, less desireable field.

7. When should I apply to college?

This is tricky. It sucks to have to pay for applications if you do not get accepted, however, you have to have your acceptance letters and a degree plan signed by the school prior to the first of the year following selection. Normally, this is about 2-3 months and part of that the school will be in winter break. The best way to get this done is to apply early, and then ask for an extension on enrollment (ex. apply for the spring or summer and then ask for an extension to the fall if you need it). Most schools if they know they are getting paid are more than happy to extend enrollment to another semester. If you don't get selected to STA-21 you're out between 50-100 bucks per application.

If you run into problems with the degree plan and such, contact the NROTC unit. If they give you some BS about how they can't help you and you have to do it on your own, remind them that the ROD requires them to do so.

8. What school should I go to?
You may have a general idea what NROTC school you want to attend, and get letters from other schools promising things about how they treat their OC's. Try to contact OC's at the schools before you decide which one to attend to find out the reality. The Citadel promises in the letter they send out pretty much that OC's are treated like gods and are in a seperate grouping from the midshipmen. Talking to people that bought the line, however, this is a blanant lie. Some, like UMINN, require that all STA-21 people attend the basic Navy indoc training with midshipmen (intro to the Navy for mids-basically a glorified boy scout camping trip). Others fully integrate OC's with the unit (like KU) but don't make them do the stupid indoc training except to help run it, and still others keep them mostly seperated into their own platoons. All will obviously contain some level of BS, but some less than others.

Oh, if a Nuke option, you have an even shorter list of schools to choose from. Nurses have their own schools as well.

8. Marine option

I know it's not an option listed in the STA-21 website, but this can be done. You have to successfully complete Marine OCS before they will accept your transfer to the Marines (MECPs attend OCS over the summers while in school), among other things. Not a garuntee, but it is an option to try for if that is your desire.

9. I didn't get accepted, what do I do now?

Start working on your application for next year! Do all you can to make yourself and your application look better. Vollunteer for hard jobs, get your PFT scores up, take classes or CLEP exams. Have someone review your personal statement and offer suggestions. If your desire is to be an officer and you don't care which field, apply to a field that is undermanned instead of the over-manned ones.

Also, go back and make sure your package met all the requirements set forth in the instruction. Did you have the required SAT scores? Did you have a 3 member board with an outside command? Did you have a CO endorsement? Do you have the required PRT scores? Every year the NAVADMIN about STA-21 discusses the number of applications that were automatically rejected because they did not meet all the requirements. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that everything is complete prior to submission.

10. STA-21 money does not cover tuition, fees, and books. I know I can't use my GIBill while attending. What should I do?
Common problem, especially if taking a high course load from a school that tacks on extra course fees for classes in engineering and nursing. For example, on top of the basic per credit enrollment fees for classes, KU tacks on an extra $135 per engineering class-something you have to dig around to find. Even without this fee (only one class has been taken actually at the engineering school thus far by the DH, he's getting all the prereqs done), tution and fees was $4315 for instate the first semester because of the courseload. This total EXCLUDES books. You are responsible for any fees incurred beyond what the Navy pays, and there are a few options.
a. Attend a school that has a set rate beyond 15 credits. Some schools do this. Even if you take 21 credits in a semester they will only charge you for 15. Pretty cool.
b. Apply for federal aid. You may not get much your first year (especially if you've recieved bonus money or were previously at sea as it goes off your AGI) but, more than likely by your second year you will be eligible for Pell Grants and the like. Also, if an engineering student there are specific federal grants for it as well, automatically applied for when fillng out the FAFSA. You are also allowed to get student loans.
c. Apply for scholarships. You are always able to apply for these just as every other student does. DH gets $4000-$6000 depending on which year of school he's in from an engineering fellowship. Another $2000 a year from one scholarship...you get the idea. It more than makes up for where the Navy falls short.

Very good post, thank you!

I've got some questions though;

Where can I find NROTC affiliated universities?

The navy will only pay $10,000 for your schooling a year? Doesn't that seem a little low?

I have 22 college credits already, but along with the transcript that those credits are on come a few failed courses also. Will the failures count against me for getting in?

1. Where can I find NROTC affiliated universities?

There's a link under the education tab on the STA-21 website.

2. The navy will only pay $10,000 for your schooling a year? Doesn't that seem a little low?

Nope. On top of school you're getting full pay and benefits, for a VERY minor "work" requirement (drill a few days a week)-no scholarship offers that.

All NROTC state schools offer in-state tution to service members, making it much more reasonable. My husband's tuition and fees is barely over the $4000 a semester mark, but that's only because of his degree plan (CE requires 132 credits to graduate). For many, it comes in under the cap. Just pay attention to costs before deciding where to apply. Also, apply for scholarships, grants, aid, TA positions, etc. DH was a high school drop out with a GED (long story) and found a leadership based engineering fellowship worth 4-6k a year. Because his grades are so good now, he's getting more money from other scholarships this year, most of which will get kicked back to us as overpayment to the school.
You want to go to MIT or Cornell you have to figure out how to cover the much larger extra cost(know a guy who is going to the latter-his parents picked up the tab)

3. I have 22 college credits already, but along with the transcript that those credits are on come a few failed courses also. Will the failures count against me for getting in?

Common issue as well. As I said, DH is a high school dropout technically. Just had to explain it well and prove through his fleet and Navy school records that he was worth a chance. You will have to explain your problems in your personal statement, how you've grown, what you'll do better this time. etc, etc

PS thanks for adding your questions to this thread.

How do I make myself more competitive?

Get college credits completed however you can.

For Pilot/NFO do well on the ASTB

Score well on PRT's

Have great annual evals

Qualify as much as you can in-command

Be a stand-out performer at your command and get a great CO's endorsement.

Be well prepared for your outside-of-command interview. Often times they ask questions on your primary selection field. If you want to be a pilot know what they do, what types of aircraft they fly, where you could be stationed. If you want SWO be prepared to be asked the different ships the Navy has. The first thing they hear is how you look, make sure it's good.

they finally released this year's Navadmin. I'd also look up the fleet brief, as it discusses more specifically which designators had less applicants than slots available and gives more of an idea as to what the board is looking for in the selection

quote:

SUBJ/FY-09 SEAMAN TO ADMIRAL-21 (STA-21) PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT//

REF/A/DOC/OPNAV/02MAY2003//

AMPN/REF A IS OPNAVINST 1420.1A, ENLISTED TO OFFICER COMMISSIONING PROGRAMS APPLICATION ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL.//

RMKS/1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS NAVADMIN IS TO SOLICIT APPLICATIONS AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR THE FY-09 SEAMAN TO ADMIRAL-21 (STA-21)
COMMISSIONING PROGRAM.

2. STA-21 IS A FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION AND COMMISSIONING PROGRAM OPEN TO ENLISTED PERSONNEL OF ALL PAYGRADES AND RATINGS WHO MEET ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN REF A AND ON THE STA-21 WEBSITE UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION LINK. SELECTEES ARE PROVIDED A MAXIMUM OF 36 MONTHS OF FULL-TIME, YEAR-ROUND STUDY TO COMPLETE A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE. PARTICIPANTS WILL REMAIN ON ACTIVE DUTY WHILE ATTENDING COLLEGE AND RECEIVE PAY, ALLOWANCES, BENEFITS, AND PRIVILEGES OF CURRENT PAYGRADE. IN ADDITION, SELECTEES WILL RECEIVE AN EDUCATION VOUCHER FOR UP TO 10,000 DOLLARS PER YEAR TO COVER TUITION, FEES, AND BOOK COSTS.

3. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE FY-09 STA-21 PROGRAM IS 1 JULY 2008. APPLICATION PACKAGES MUST BE POSTMARKED ON OR BEFORE THE DEADLINE DATE. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION TO AN APPLICANT'S PACKAGE IS 1 AUGUST 2008. FOR THE FY-09 STA-21 APPLICATIONS, SERVICE MEMBERS IMPACTED BY THE DANTES TESTING SUSPENSION MAY SUBMIT A PARTIAL APPLICATION PACKAGE, LESS ONLY THEIR AMERICAN COLLEGE TEST (ACT) OR SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TEST(SAT) SCORES, NLT 1 JULY 2008. THOSE PARTIAL APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE AN ENDORSEMENT BY THEIR COMMANDING OFFICER CERTIFYING THAT THE DANTES TEST SUSPENSION HAS PROHIBITED THE APPLICANT FROM RECEIVING THEIR SAT/ACT RESULTS PRIOR TO 1 JULY 2008. THOSE APPLYING WITH THESE PARTIAL APPLICATION PACKETS MUST SUBMIT THEIR ACT/SAT TEST SCORES BEFORE 1 SEPTEMBER 2008. ACT/SAT SCORES UP TO 3 YEARS OLD MAY BE SUBMITTED AS PART OF THE PACKAGE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CANDIDATE. NO ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS CAN BE ADDED AFTER THIS DATE.
NAMES OF SELECTEES WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY NAVADMIN IN OCTOBER 2008.

4. LESSONS LEARNED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ADDRESSES LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE FY-08 STA-21 SELECTION PROCESS AND BOARD. THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO PRECLUDE COMMON ERRORS.
A. OF OVER 850 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, ONLY 713 WERE BOARD ELIGIBLE. A TOTAL OF 210 WERE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FY-08
STA-21 PROGRAM.
B. EACH YEAR, PACKAGES ARE STILL NOT CONSIDERED DUE TO NON-QUALIFYING SAT/ACT TEST SCORES, NO SAT/ACT TEST SCORES SUBMITTED, NO CO ENDORSEMENT, RECENT NJP, AND MISSING OR ILLEGIBLE SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS.
C. MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION. THE SELECTION PROCESS IS EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MAILED ONLY WHEN FULLY COMPLETE. OFFICER INTERVIEW BOARDS AND THE CO'S PERSONAL INTERVIEW SHOULD ONLY BE CONDUCTED AFTER THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE. THE FULL PICTURE OF AN APPLICANT'S ACADEMIC POTENTIAL CAN ONLY BE DETERMINED BY REVIEWING THE SAT/ACT SCORES AND HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS.
D. AN INTERVIEW BOARD AND NOMINATION REVIEW BOARD SHALL BE CONDUCTED PER REF A. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT OFFICERS OF THE APPLICANT'S DESIGNATOR CHOICE, IF AVAILABLE AT A BASE OR COMMAND, BE ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERVIEW/NOMINATION REVIEW BOARD TO ASSESS THE APPLICANT FOR THEIR COMMUNITY. NOMINATION REVIEW BOARDS SHOULD BE EXTERNAL OF THE COMMAND. IN THE EVENT THAT A NOMINATION REVIEW BOARD OUTSIDE THE COMMAND CANNOT BE CONVENED, THE COMMAND SHOULD PRESENT THREE ADDITIONAL INTERVIEW APPRAISALS TO ADD TO THE PACKAGE OR AN EXPLANATION OF WHY THE DIRECTED PROCESS COULD NOT BE FOLLOWED. HOW OTHER OFFICERS VIEW THE APPLICANT CARRIES SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT. FOR JUNIOR SAILORS WITH ONLY SCHOOLHOUSE EVALUATIONS, THE CO MUST ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IN HIS OR HER ENDORSEMENT. SAILORS MUST ADDRESS ANY HARDSHIPS OR UNIQUE EXPERIENCES THAT SHAPED THEIR CHARACTER AND JUNIOR SAILORS PROVIDE INFORMATION ON HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCES. HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS RARELY PROVIDE IN-DEPTH INFORMATION ON INVOLVEMENT IN SPORTS, CLUBS, VOLUNTEER WORK, ETC.
EACH CANDIDATE SHOULD BE INSTRUCTED TO INCLUDE IN THEIR PERSONAL STATEMENT REASON(S) FOR THEIR INTEREST IN THE STA-21 PROGRAM, WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO DESERVE CONSIDERATION FOR THIS PROGRAM, AND WHAT THEY WOULD DO WITH THE OPPORTUNITY IF SELECTED. ADDITIONALLY, APPLICANTS SHOULD EXPLAIN ANY MITIGATING ISSUES THE BOARD NEEDS TO CONSIDER (I.E., POOR HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE GRADES, UNEXPLAINED GAPS).

5. DIVERSITY WITHIN THE NAVY'S OFFICER COMMUNITY IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR FUTURE SUCCESS. I REQUEST ALL COMMANDING OFFICERS, COMMAND CAREER COUNSELORS AND SENIOR ENLISTED MEMBERS ENCOURAGE ALL QUALIFIED SAILORS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM.

6. APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MAILED TO:
COMMANDER NAVAL SERVICE TRAINING COMMAND (OD2/STA-21) 250 DALLAS STREET, STE A PENSACOLA, FL 32508-5268

7. SPECIFIC DETAILS, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SELECTION PROCEDURES CAN BE FOUND IN REF A AND AT THE STA-21 WEBSITE UNDER PROGRAM OPTIONS AT HTTPS://WWW.STA-21.NAVY.MIL.

8. QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO COMMAND CAREER COUNSELORS OR TO NAVAL SERVICE TRAINING COMMAND OFFICER DEVELOPMENT DIVISION (OD2) AT (850) 452-9563 OR EMAIL AT PNSC_STA21(AT)NAVY.MIL.

9. RELEASED BY VADM M. E. FERGUSON III, N1.//

BT
#0001

quote:

Originally posted by DRP27:
The navy will only pay $10,000 for your schooling a year? Doesn't that seem a little low?

Actually, it is low, and more so with each passing year of tuitions getting higher.

I am an STA-21 pickup at CU Boulder, and have paid tuition out of pocket many times. Also, some degrees are more costly than others.

To be fair, there are scholarships and loans available.

quote:

I have 22 college credits already, but along with the transcript that those credits are on come a few failed courses also. Will the failures count against me for getting in?

A friend of mine had failed Calculus and got it anyway. If you repeat a class and get a high score the second time, it may work in your favor by showing willingness to work hard and perseverance.

R/

CU boulder, huh? When did you get there? One of my friends was just comissioned there last Dec

Hello Catherine,

I've been here for a year. I attended the December commissioning ceremony, so I am sure I know who he is. Is he prior enlisted?

R/

but of course.

I have a few questions. I started completing my STA21 package when I was in my last command (ship). Before I left my last command, the only thing I needed was the outside board. I just checked into my new command (another ship) and soon after I had the outside board I needed. Questions:

1. Do I have to redo my command board since I'm on a new command or can I still send my old board?

2. Do I have to get a new CO's endorsement and recommendation as well from my new command?

Technically your package goes through your new command, and your current CO submits the package, so he HAS to write the reccomendation. Would have been easier, I know, to submit through the old, but it is what it is.

According to the instruction you submit your package to your command, they arrange the outside interview THEN the in-command interview, so at the very least a letter must be written to the board as to why the instruction was not followed (must be written by your current CO as well).

That said, you can still include the endorsement from your old command. Definately won't hurt. Just make it an extra enclosure.

To any male thinking of the STA-21 nuke option
READ your statement of understanding before signing it. It explicitly states that you understand that you will be assigned at the needs of the service either subs or surface. You can request one or the other but it's not a garuntee....they ultimately decide.

You are an automatic subvol upon ACCEPTING the program

Wanted to make that more well known, because apparently some people haven't learned after the enlisted process to read their contracts. One guy here who just got a comission through STA-21 is all kinds of ticked because he "wasn't a subvol" but was given orders to a sub. DH pointed out the contract he signed....just made him more mad and he started yelling "but I'm not a subvol!!!" Unfortunately for him, as much as he hates it, he is according to his statement of understanding.

Hmm, I would have thought that if you didnt volunteer for subs, you would be guaranteed a spot on a carrier. Interesting.

quote:

Originally posted by bret007:
Hmm, I would have thought that if you didnt volunteer for subs, you would be guaranteed a spot on a carrier. Interesting.

Technically you are a sub vol upon accepting the program according to the statement of understanding if you are male. That's the key. Many people don't read it when they sign it I guess. (NOt sure why, first thing enlisting taught me was to read everything you sign). Females, naturally, get first priority on surface billets, so it ends up being simple math.

Is there time to take CLEP tests while in the Nuclear Traing Pipeline.

quote:

Originally posted by Mexanese:
Is there time to take CLEP tests while in the Nuclear Traing Pipeline.

It is absolutely forbidden to take them while in the pipeline (same with taking college classes).

Package is signed and submitted, Et1 Mails it off in the morning

I have a quick question. On the STA-21 website it says when applying you have the option to apply for core and a target group at the same time. I was wondering if you don't get your target group, but get core can you try for and choose your target group again when they ask for your selection into a target group.