Between all the programs the NAVY offers in regards to help for college what is

1.) the most common?
2.) the best (if there is such a thing?)

I've read about a few of the programs; STA-21, NROTC, the G.I. Bill, and there's probably a few others that I'm not yet familiar with.

I could understand how the G.I. Bill may be the best if one wanted to do his/her active duty then once they're discharged start with college.

I'm talking in terms of while enlisted on current duty be it active or reserve. Which program would suit that situation best.

Your question, as you have posed it, is unanswerable. What is your end goal? To be an officer? To be enlisted, get experience, then be an officer? To be enlisted, then go to college? Go to college, then enlist? Is there anything that you know of that would rule out one or more of these options? You say you want to be active duty or reserves while you are in college, but why? The answer of what the best option is (with due attention given to what the most achieveable option is) is based on the answers to those questions.

Well put.

I've done a bit more research on the topic and decided the NCP would be the best option.

Question regarding that however. Could one be in the NCP and have signed up for the G.I. Bill as well just in case after my served time I decided to attend more colleege?

G.I. Bill is for enlisted personnel. Keep that in mind with all discussions. (There may be a few exceptions. . .the only one I can think of is prior-enlisted officers)

Tuition Assistance is available to BOTH officers and Enlisted. TA pays 100% tuition for active duty. It does not cover books and it is limited to 18 credit hours per year. You must be promotion eligible, not fat (within standards), and have at least a year left on your contract. For officers, who do not contract the same way, I believe you have to sign an agreement to serve 2 more years.
TA is approved by your immediate supervisor. Enlisted personnel will get pretty much anything approved on shore duty from my experience. (Even underwater basketweaving.)
Officers are PROBABLY expected to work on their MASTERS degree since they already have a Bachelors and TA is no longer authorized for lesser or secondary degrees even for enlisted.
A Masters is also a career-enhancer (requirement) for officers to be promoted.

For example: I have a Bachelors degree in General Studies from TA. I am no longer authorized to take classes for an Associates or a Bachelors. Although I CAN use my GI BILL for an associates or another bachelors. They will approve TA for a Masters or PhD however.

So there is no REQUIREMENT to be an officer to get college. Many enlisted personnel do get degrees. So the question still stands: are you interested in being an officer, or are you interested in getting a college degree.

There is even an officer program that doesn't require college. (LDO, CWO) Although you should have at least an Associates to be competitive I've heard.

AMONGST the enlisted the MOST popular route to a college degree is a combination of PACE (courses-at-sea. . .Navy pays for 'em) and TA on shore duty.
If I get a degree done with a combo of Navy schools, PACE, and TA. . .thats it. . .I'm done with my commitment.

AMONGST the enlisted one of the MOST popular COMMISSIONING programs is STA-21.
If I want to be an officer I go through STA-21 and still owe the Navy between 4 and 7 years AFTER graduating from college and receiving my commission. But of course if someone goes through the competitive application process for STA-21 they usually already know its going to be a career.

quote:

Originally posted by stillThinking:
Well put.

I've done a bit more research on the topic and decided the NCP would be the best option.

Question regarding that however. Could one be in the NCP and have signed up for the G.I. Bill as well just in case after my served time I decided to attend more colleege?

So what you're saying is you want to go enlisted first and use the Navy college program to take classes underway?

TA will pay for those Classes

GI Bill pays for the rest later on, assuming you complete 3 years enlisted time

Well that clears up the confusion I first had when reading about the Tuition Assistance Program.

To answer the above question I want to enlist as active and earn a degree at the same time.

Brandolf thank you for the wonderful info. You answered my questions and I believe taking courses while at sea (PACE) and doing the TA while on shore duty would be the best route to go about.

I don't want to be an officer, so the STA-21 would not suit me. My only dream job in regards to the NAVY would be becoming a RDC one day, that would be amazing. That won't be for quite some time however.

quote:

Originally posted by stillThinking:
To answer the above question I want to enlist as active and earn a degree at the same time.

Remember, that can take you awhile. It definitely won't happen in four years, but finsihing that BA/BS is very possible and has been done by many AD enlisted.

quote:

I don't want to be an officer, so the STA-21 would not suit me. My only dream job in regards to the NAVY would be becoming a RDC one day, that would be amazing. That won't be for quite some time however.

Remember, one step at a time!

quote:

I don't want to be an officer, so the STA-21 would not suit me. My only dream job in regards to the NAVY would be becoming a RDC one day, that would be amazing. That won't be for quite some time however.

Remember, one step at a time![/QUOTE]

haha yea that's why I said quite some time. Have to take things in stride and be realistic.

If I could acquire a Bachelors in that 4 years that would be wonderful, I'll take aim at that goal.

quote:

Originally posted by stillThinking:

quote:

quote:

I don't want to be an officer, so the STA-21 would not suit me. My only dream job in regards to the NAVY would be becoming a RDC one day, that would be amazing. That won't be for quite some time however.

Remember, one step at a time!

haha yea that's why I said quite some time. Have to take things in stride and be realistic.

If I could acquire a Bachelors in that 4 years that would be wonderful, I'll take aim at that goal.

Being an RDC is great goal, but you have to get into the Navy first and see if you like it enough to stay in and mold recruits.

Yes, by all means think realistically as you cannot get to point D w/o having been to point A yet!

Also, earning your degree w/in that four year enlistment will depend on the OpTempo of where you're stationed and/or what school you go to.

[/QUOTE]Being an RDC is great goal, but you have to get into the Navy first and see if you like it enough to stay in and mold recruits.

Yes, by all means think realistically as you cannot get to point D w/o having been to point A yet!

Also, earning your degree w/in that four year enlistment will depend on the OpTempo of where you're stationed and/or what school you go to.[/QUOTE]

The info is always helpful whether it comes true or not is up to me. I greatly appreciate the help however thanks a bunch.

Right now I'm looking at point A, and thats getting in the NAVY, then we'll go from there.

quote:

Originally posted by stillThinking:
The info is always helpful whether it comes true or not is up to me. I greatly appreciate the help however thanks a bunch.

Right now I'm looking at point A, and thats getting in the NAVY, then we'll go from there.

No prob! So what rate are you thinking of getting into?

If you do enough PACE and Navy schools an Associates is very realistic on a 4 year sea tour. The problem with sea tours is knocking out your upper level credits.
I took me about 7 years of Naval Service to get the Bachelors. I could've compressed it a little bit had I started sooner on shore duty. That cuts it down to about 6 years.
Remember, each chevron gives you extra college credit too. I got Trig credits for making E-5 and credits in Personnel Management for making E-6. So the assumption is that you make at least E-5 before heading to shore duty.

The Navy also offers CLEP's for free. So if you are a good self-paced learner you can study in your free time and take the CLEP tests too.
Keep in mind. . .you really are only going to school part-time if you are active duty.
Keep it on a part-time basis. If you get less than a "C" on a course the NAVY will take your TA out of your paycheck in one big shot. Or next time you apply for TA your supervisor will deny it. . .because you can't meet your primary duties.