Comment

Comment by Navy/ArmyMom on May 20, 2010 at 11:19pm

Thank you, snowmc and Chris. I'll be passing this along to him.

Comment by Sweet*Southern*Lady on May 20, 2010 at 10:58pm

Chris Thats so great Brady is at NSI right now! I haven't talked to him in a couple days I can't wait to get a phone call!

Comment by Chris on May 20, 2010 at 5:37pm

Navy/Army/Mom

The best thing for your son to do is excel in his current job. Intangibles like community involvement, volunteerism, etc. play a role. My son was a Nuke ET when he was accepted into STA-21. If your son wants to be a Nuke officer, he cannot apply for an ECP/USNA when he goes to the fleet. He needs to be at a training command. After prototype, my son was a SPU (staff pick up) prototype instructor for two years at Ballston Spa. The process is "involved" and more difficult when deployed anyway. My son had been visiting the Naval Academy since he was six (my nephew is a '96 grad). He considered applying, but, after being paid for several years (plus a hefty bonus), he decided to go STA-21 (E-5 pay plus stipend for tuition).

My son changed communities (Nuke to Pilot) so he had more leg work to do re interviews and flight physical. But it was well worth it. He applied when he was 20, 21, and 22--third time the charm.

I would encourage your son to start soon on his STA-21 package/USNA application. I would also encourage him to look into SPU ( high profile, hard work, pushbutton E-5, re-enlistment bonus, total eight year commitment). 1 July is the STA-21 application deadline. not sure about USNA. Good luck.

Comment by snowmc on May 20, 2010 at 1:23pm

This is direct from the USNA website:

The United States Naval Academy offers an outstanding opportunity for qualified enlisted members of the regular Navy, Naval Reserves, Marine Corps, and other armed forces to embark on careers as officers in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps.

Regular and Reserve Navy and Marine Corps service members compete for 170 appointments. Apply via your Commanding Officer in accordance with OPNAVINST 1420.1 or MARINE CORPS ORDER 1530.11(series); commanding officer's endorsement must accompany application. To receive a SECNAV nomination, a candidate must possess a combined SAT score (verbal and math) of 1050, or ACT equivalent combined score of 46 (English and math). Be advised these scores are minimums and are lower than the competitive levels for entrance into the Naval Academy, but will place a candidate in contention for NAPS based on the whole person concept. The Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) provides an excellent means to get back into the school environment for service members that have been out of the classroom.

Teacher recommendations are not required for applicants who have been out of school for more than 1 year, instead, recommendations are required from two commissioned officers. In addition to the Secretary of the Navy nomination, applicants are encouraged to apply for congressional nominations.

If offered an appointment to the Naval Academy, candidates must extend their enlistment and/or active duty agreement in order to have a minimum of 24 months of active obligated service remaining as of 1 July of the entering year. Candidates who are selected for NAPS will be required to have a minimum of 24 months obligated service as of 1 July of the year that they will enter the Preparatory School. NAPS graduates who are appointed to the Naval Academy will be required to have a minimum of 24 months active obligated service as of 1 July of the year that they will enter the Naval academy. To acquire the obligated service required under this paragraph, extensions of enlistment and/or active duty agreements may be executed in accordance with MILPERSMAN articles 1050150 and 1050200. Extensions of enlistment and active duty agreements are to be prepared and executed on NAVPERS 1070/621 or NAVPERS 1070/622. Under the current law, midshipmen who graduate will receive a commission in either the Navy or Marine Corps and are obligated to a 5-year commitment following commissioning.

Comment by Navy/ArmyMom on May 20, 2010 at 12:26pm

Hi Naval Officer moms! I've never read in your group before until now, but maybe I should read here more. First of all, congratulations to all of your children. They sound like very motivated and hard-working young men and women. You have great reasons to be so proud of them!

If possible, I have a few questions and wondered if someone could answer them for me. My son (just turned 19) came very close to getting into the Naval Academy. Quite honestly, I think it was suddenly due to having a girlfriend that through him off course at the very end of the process. I know it's something he deeply regrets. We tell him, it's not at all too late (which he knows) and to hold on to his goals as he proceeds in what he's doing.

He decided to enlist and he's in the Nuke Program. (he's finishing A School right now) and doing quite well.. He has said that he might reapply to the Academy, or possibly try to get into the STA program at some point. My question is, at what point would he be able to apply for either of these two programs, and also other than making high grades in Nuke School, are there things that he can do during this period of time to increase his chances of being accepted?

Thank you very much for any information or personal experiences with your own sons and daughters that you might be able to give me which I could relay on to him. I appreciate it very much. In the meantime, I'll keep reading in your group so that I can learn as much as I can.

Comment by Chris on May 19, 2010 at 11:40am

STA-21NSI and OCS, both in Newport, are quite different programs. STA-21 is for prior enlisted, without degrees, who are selected and given the opportunity to become officers. My son has been a Nuke for four years; he was selected for pilot. He has three years to get his degree (The Citadel) before receiving his commission.

NSI:

"Since its rebirth in 1994, the Seaman to Admiral (STA) program has undergone several changes to meet the needs of the Navy and Sailors, but the spirit embodied by Admiral Boorda remains intact. STA has always been a commissioning program in which participants maintain the pay, benefits, and privileges they enjoy as active duty Sailors and receive a scholarship to attend a top-notch university. Each of these Sailors goes on to rewarding careers as naval officers."

OCS:

"OCS is one of five Officer training schools located at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. The 12 week OCS course is designed to give you a working knowledge of the Navy (afloat and ashore), to prepare you to assume the responsibilities of a Naval Officer, and to begin developing you to your fullest potential. OCS is extremely demanding; morally, mentally, and physically. Your personal Honor, Courage, and Commitment will be tested at OCS and you will be challenged to live up to the highest standards of these core values. The school’s curriculum will demand the most of your academic prowess. Mental training involves memorization of military knowledge, academic courses, and military inspections. Physical training (PT) begins immediately upon arrival at OCS. PT consists of running programs augmented by calisthenics, as well as aquatic programs. You must be committed to the goal of earning a commission as an Ensign in the Navy before arriving at Officer Candidate School."

Though not stated OCS students are required to have a degree.

BZ to Frank Marian.

Comment by madre37 on May 19, 2010 at 5:24am

Congratulations Marion and Congrats Chris.

Comment by Helomom on May 18, 2010 at 7:24pm

Naval Science Institute - Home of the Seaman to Admiral 21 Program, aka STA-21, aka Home of the Officer Training Command, aka Officer Candidate School (OCS). Not sure why this place has so many names.

Congratulations, Chris! What a great accomplishment for your son.

Comment by Chris on May 18, 2010 at 6:24pm

As of yesterday, my son is officially an Officer Candidate. He started NSI yesterday in Newport. He called last night and said that he is well, and enjoying it as much as he can. he gets his khakis later this week.

Comment by MrsKH on May 18, 2010 at 2:53pm

I am curious about the IRR comments on here. This is the first I have heard of it. If they are IRR can they live wherever they want? Or are they expected to stay near Pensacola?

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