STA-21 Breakdown?

[Kristen (Greg, Nuke ET3's Wife)]

My husband is an ET and will be starting Power School beginning of January.. he wants to go for the officer program, but is starting to not believe in himself anymore that he'll make the cut.

 

I was just wondering if ANYONE can help me give him any advice to keep him going.  He says he hasn't had a leadership position yet in his class...and that'll count against him.. and he also says he isn't #1 in his class. Usually he'll be anywhere between the 3rd - 5th highest score in his class.  He always gets good highs on his PFAs.  And he's thinking about logging 200 hours of community service in... but like I said, he won't try anymore.

 

Can anyone give me a breakdown on whats to be expected of Sailors wanting to be a Nuke Officer?  I KNOW many young men & women get selected... but my husband told me that his chances are VERY slim compared to other men and women who have been out to sea and have experience. 

 

I just want him to keep going and try harder, I know he wants this really bad... but he sees it as there is NO guarantee in the end and he won't put forth the effort anymore.  Any info, tips, things my husband should do to better his chances, will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[Sweet*Southern*Lady]

check out airwarriors.com they have lot of useful information about who's been picked up and what there stats are. Also help putting the packet together. My future BIL is a nuke on a sub and has been in the navy for 6 yrs he's 2 classes away from a degree  which  he's been taking online while on the boat. He'll be attempting to go LDO if he does not get picked up for chief next year.

 

we have an STA-21 group on N4M

[Carol Aileen]

Hi Kristin,  my Son was picked up for Sta-21  this year.  He had a couple leadership roles, but not all the way through the nuke pipeline.  It sounds like he was about the same class rank ( or lower) as your Husband.   I think his letters of recommendations helped him,  he got LOR from his volunteer work before the Navy and from a supervisor from one of his summer jobs.  In his personal statement he highlighted times where he took leadership roles through out highschool.   My Son said that community service does help,  Aaron logge hours when he can, but it was harder during power school for him to log hours.  Attitude is important,  keep encouraging him,   Aaron had several "back up' plans,   including following in his Grandpas footsteps and become a Chief....  Since everyone know Chiefs are who really run the Navy.... :)   My son really wanted to go to college, so STA-21 was perfect for him.   Tell your husband that he won't know unless he trys.... some folks apply 3 or 4 times before being accepted.  read through the Sta-21 website and make sure his application is complete.  Good Luck!

[BunkerQB]

Do NOT hesitate to apply to the United States Naval Academy. The are a number of slots reserved for prior enlisted. Here is a link to the preparatory school to help prior enlisted candidates strengthen their academic repertoire.

http://www.usna.edu/NAPS/

From our son's two years at West Point (United States Military Academy), we learned that the prior enlisted cadets were more motivated and committed to the program. Typically, they are older and have been through deployment and are mature. They end up being the leaders. Our son went to West Point right out of high school at 17 - he was not ready and didn't really appreciate what was offered him. So enlisting and applying to the Naval Academy as an enlisted candidate is not a bad idea; however, if you son is truly interested in the military academy, then he should start his research soon.

http://www.persnet.navy.mil/CareerInfo/Education/
http://www.military.com/education/content/money-for-school/navy-edu...
http://www.navyadvancement.com/navy-store/navy-college-education.php
https://www.sta-21.navy.mil/

[Kristen (Greg, Nuke ET3's Wife)]

Thank you both for your reply!!  I'll definitely show him these, thank you!

[Gulf Coast Mom]

Kristen  - Just a FYI.  Make sure your husband also keeps up with his fitness.  My son's best friend was selected for the STA 21 program.  He has been notified, his assignments had been changed and everything was ready for him to head to college and he had to do a physical.  He failed the pushups by 3 - said he thought he had done enough so stopped and had not researched ahead of time how many we was supposed to do.  Anyway - they pulled the STA 21, he had to return to Groton, wait a couple weeks to be reassigned before he got sent to Guam.  My son was going to apply, but decided not to. I found quite a bit of info, but can't remember where.  I had a time line and a page showing how many had applied and how many made it.  If I find any add'l info, I'll let you know.  I was disappointed by son did not persue, but I'm just the mom - what do I know.  Good Luck.

[Carol Aileen]

That timeline and stats are on the Sta-21 webpage -https://www.sta-21.navy.mil/fleet_brief.asp     read through the brief.  other interesting reading is https://www.sta-21.navy.mil/pdfs/1420.1B_chapter8.pdf.

I  second what Kristen said - keep up with the fitness!  we had a little scare earlier this week,  Aaron's Chief said that he didn't make the cut off on the run - he maxed situps and pushups but was 12 seconds off on the run.  found out yesterday that he is ok, but has to bring it up by Feb.

[Sweet*Southern*Lady]

When the DB went to STA-21 May of '10 about 9 dropped from the 110 (ish) STA-21 recipients just on the first round of physical fitness test.

[Sweet*Southern*Lady]

It fairly easy to finish college these days even on a sub or ship. My future BIL is a nuke has been taking classes on the sub and is only one class (3hrs) away from a bach. degree and will be applying for LDO (limited duty officer). There are multiple ways to become an officer don't be afraid to look into them.

[BunkerQB]

I believe it is more difficult on a sub. There are classes you can take on line but any degree worth the paper it's printed on will required actual time in a classroom (lectures, exams, meeting w professors). Do not get sucked in by "online" college - those that advertised that you can do everything online. Future employers pay little attention to degrees from those colleges. During shore duty one can sign up for classes at the local colleges. Get a degree from an accredited, legitimate university - even if it means going to school full time after the Navy (hey, the GI Bill is there for a reason). Nukes are smart (enlisted or officer - doesn't matter). Apply to the most prestigious universities possible - why short change your future.

[Sweet*Southern*Lady]

The BIL is on a SUB; he is the one who proctors test to others. While in groton he did take a few weekend classes, but with his nuke training he was able to get most of the science classes taken care of along with leadership/management. He had 5 class he had to take in person the rest are online/book work/papers that they turn in at the end of a cruise or when on shore at the end of the class. He got hooked up with the school/program through his command.

[BunkerQB]

That's good. But my recommendation is for all sailor to get a legit bachelors in science (or arts) for the future. It makes a difference if the person ever leaves the Navy and go into the civilian world. I know a young man who enlisted at 18 and got his bachelors in electrical engineering, applied to OCS, became an officer, then went and got his MBA from a very prestigious university during his shore duty. Anything is possible. Think BIG. Don't settle for a 2 year degree or a degree from "for profit" online college.