STA-21 ECP

My son is in the STA-21 program now. He will be attending NSI in May, then going to The Citadel in August to complete his degree. He was picked up 11/09 after serving four years in the Nuke community. He was picked up for pilot. After completing his baccalaureate degree, he will be off the flight school.

I started this group to centralize the discussion on Enlisted Commissioning Programs. IMHO, you can't beat STA-21 with a stick!

Hi Chris, our son is working on his application for this years deadline. We'd welcome any suggestions that you have. Did your son get selected on his first application attempt? I'm trying to remember but it seems like they receive 10,000 applications a year but only select a couple of 100. Congrats to your son, I'm looking forward to hearing what he thinks of NSI.

Mary,

The program is an excellent opportunity. My son was picked up on his third application. He changed communities (nuke to pilot) which was more involved. He worked hard on his package. He was stationed in New York--the interview board had to be pilots, so he set up the interview in Norfolk with some pilot officers. Evaluations and can be very important. The process is time consuming and difficult---it separates the wheat from the chaff. I was never in the military, so I boned up one the program here: https://www.sta-21.navy.mil/fleet_brief.asp Click on "A printable version". As you will see, for FY 2010, 838 application were accepted, 715 were qualified for STA-21, and 225 were selected. Some communities select less than five applicants, so the community your son is applying for makes a big difference. If memory serves, he can pick three, in order of preference. Let me know if you need more information. Good luck!!!

This is great information Chris. We have not talked to our son about the communities yet. Today he is taking his ACT test, last week he did the SAT as his score were more than three years old. I thought the number of applicants for this program was much higher but I knew the selected number was low. I know it's definitely the "cream of the crop" program so you must be very proud of your son to be selected. We are proud that our son has made the decision to put his package together, he has been advised that it could take a few attempts. I appreciate the link, I've been like a sponge trying to soak up information about the program.

Is your son still serving with his command or does he receive time off before starting NSI? We would love to hear more about his experience as he travels thru NSI and appreciate anything that you can share. Thank you

Mary,

My son was selected in November last year. He starts NSI 16 May (next month), some selectees started in February. This week is his last week at his command in New York. NSI is only nine weeks, so it should fly by. After that, he has three years to complete his degree at The Citadel. Then he has @ two yeears of flight school! It will be a long road, but, our family is looking forward to the journey.

I was looking at the Citadel's site the other night, does your family live in SC? We are in Atlanta and I thought that might be a good option. I am asking because of tuition rates for residents vs non residents. I know under the program they are awarded up to $10,000 per year but that won't cover the Citadel and I am a little confused about the GI. I thought I read the GI bill would kick in after than but then I've read that you waive your rights to the GI bill if you are in STA-21(?) Our son called this morning, he was waiting for the doors to open so he could take his ACT test :-)

Mary,

The $10,000 stipend from STA-21 covers all tuition for my son. I'm not sure if he has to pay for books. He will not have to use any of his GI Bill. We are from Virginia, but, my son spent over two years between 2006 and 2008 in Charleston at Nuke school. The Citadel is a very good school and they are very accomodating for active duty Officer Candidates. My son accepts the fact that he has to wear a uniform to class, but, he figured it's worth the sacrifice.

Chris, I was looking at Citadel site the other night. I think it is a smart choice for our sailors and it is such a fine establishment to begin with and it certainly should take some pressure off wearing your uniform to class. I'm not too worried about the uniform with our son, when he was in high school he was part of the ROTC program and wore his uniform with pride every Wednesday when the rest of the school looked like...well you know what high schools can look like!

I need to look closer at their tuition, don't know if your son got in state rates due to his two years in Charleston or if that is the rate for NROTC program there. Or perhaps I will wait until he gets accepted!!!

Right now he is working hard at getting his ACT + SAT tests done and gathering everything he needs for his application, although the deadline is not until July 1st - he will be deploying soon and wants to have everything done before then. Thanks again for the 2011 link. Mary

Several years after my nephew graduated from the Naval Academy I asked him to tell me what was worst thing about attending the Naval Academy. His response, "Not going to college!" My son wanted the "full college experience", however you may define it. He is certainly proud to wear the uniform. My son worked hard trying to get in UVA, including spending a week in Charlottesville leaving no stone unturned re admission. It was not to be, so The Citadel it is. I was in Charleston two weeks ago. The Citadel is an impressive institution, especially when you look at the faculty and staff. I chalk it up to divine providence. It so happens, the Blue Angels were practicing for three days while we were there. The #1 pilot is a graduate of The Citadel. I supported my son in his endeavor to go to UVA, though, I told him I didn't think it was the best fit for him.

Chris, is your son home now? I bet he is getting excited about NSI, such a wonderful future ahead. Our son has decided that the Citadel would be his first choice, I have a good friend from church that graduated from there and know it is a wonderful school and a beautiful area as well.

Could you ask your son --- with the application that have to submit the name of three colleges and three cross town schools. Is this just a wish list or are they supposed to actually apply --- I'm a little foggy on this aspect. Our son is trying to get everything wrapped up early as he is deploying (too) soon.
Thank you.

Chris, Nick called again and was wondering if your son could recommend sample letters of recommendation and personal statements. His ship is involved in some special exercise the next couple of weeks so he's trying really hard to get the package wrapped up soon. Thank you!!

I got back home this afternoon from helping my son move from NY to Charleston. He is home for a few days. My son applied to two schools: UVA and The Citadel. I think it's a wish list. I'll ask about the LOR's and personal statement. I would direct your son to airwarriors.com. Have him look in the Enlisted Commissioning Program threads. A good deal of information and help there.

Thanks Chris, we stumbled across ariwarriors.com last night and there is alot of good info. We moved our daughter back from Savannah to home on Saturday...exhausting!!! I know your son doesn't have much time so wishing him an enjoyable few days. Can't wait to hear about NSI!!!

Mary,

My son wrote his personal statement and had some officer/mentors review it for suggestions.

My son started NSI yesterday in Newport. He called last night ans sounded great. Some members of his company were drowsy during a brief, so, they got "beat" some after the brief. He is now officially an Offficer Candidate. He's at the bottom again, working, earning his way. Sounds different than PO2!

I'm so excited to hear about his progress! Being at the bottom is heads above where he could have been. So happy for him --- keep the stories coming please.

Our son got a nice award this week from his ship and his CO sent us a beautiful email on what a great job he is doing and how impressed he is with our son...hoping that helps his application !!!

It surely can't hurt. Congratulations. What is your son's rate and what officer community is he applying for? I believe STA-21 applicants have three choices on their "wish list". My son applied pilot, core, and SWO, if memory serves.

Thanks Chris, he is an FC which is FireControl for the Aegis systems. Their A and C school program takes almost two years to finish so he will be experiencing his first deployment soon. He's been in 2.5 years now.

I know he was applyng for Core, SWO and I'm not sure about the 3rd one. He felt his eye sight would be a problem for pilot. It is correctable to 20/100 with glasses or contacts but he thought that would be a roadblock for the pilot community.

What follows explains the STA-21 program, dated 5/22/08:

"GREAT LAKES (NNS) -- The Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) commissioning program, which provides a passageway for qualified Sailors to receive college educations and Navy commissions, is soliciting applications for fiscal year 2009.

"STA-21 is a full-time, undergraduate education and commissioning program open to enlisted personnel of all pay grades and ratings to receive a top-notch college education and become commissioned officers," says Cathy Kempf, Head, Selection and Placement, NROTC and STA-21, Naval Service Training Command.

All STA-21 officer candidates attend the Naval Science Institute (NSI) course at Officer Training Command, Newport, R.I., prior to beginning college studies at an NROTC-affiliated college or university.

NSI is an eight-week course of intense officer preparation and indoctrination. Course enrollment is timed to allow college entrance during fall, spring or summer semesters/quarters.

"Though the program is open to all ratings and pay grades, age at commissioning plays a big factor in eligibility," says Kempf. "Certain program options are restrictive in what ratings/qualifications are necessary to be eligible. Example: To apply for the Special Warfare option, you must already be a SEAL."

A limited number of selectees will be chosen to attend a three-month individualized program of study at Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training(BOOST) in Newport to assist in the transition to college. Following completion of BOOST, selectees will attend NSI en route to their university assignment.

"Just the desire to be a Naval officer is not enough. An applicant must show drive and leadership through their everyday responsibilities—that's what their chain of command will see," says Lt. Michael Brewer, lead NSI/STA-21 class officer and instructor.

"Applicants who go the extra mile with their education and preparation for a college/university environment show their chain of command that they are serious about following through," says Brewer. "This means taking SAT preparation courses, taking English 101, college algebra, etc. These are Sailors that get good endorsements from their commanding officers and go on to be successful in the STA-21 program."

Brewer has experienced the program from both sides. A graduate of NSI in 2000, Brewer was commissioned an officer in 2002 after graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

"When I was a third class petty officer stationed at NSGA (Naval Security Group Activity) Hanza, Okinawa, Japan, I read an article on commissioning programs in the Link magazine while on watch," says Brewer. "The possibility to become a Naval officer somehow became real because of that article, and by the end of my watch, after reading and rereading that article, I had made the decision that the Enlisted Commissioning Program—the model program for what is now STA-21 program—would be my one and only goal in life."

"Selectees are provided a maximum of 36 months of full-time, year-round study to complete a baccalaureate degree," says Kempf. "Participants remain on active duty while attending college and receive pay, allowances, benefits, and privileges of their current pay grade. In addition, selectees receive an education voucher for up to $10,000 per year to cover tuition, fees, and book costs."

For those who want to enter the program, Brewer offers this advice, "Focus on doing your job the best you can, let your chain of command know you are interested in becoming a Naval officer and the rest will follow."

The deadline for applications for the FY-09 STA-21 program is July 1, 2008. Application packages must be postmarked on or before the deadline date. Deadline for submission of additional documentation to an applicant's package is August 1, 2008.

Names of selectees will be announced by NAVADMIN in October 2008.

Questions concerning this program should be directed to command career counselors or to Naval Service Training Command Officer Development Division at (850) 452-9563.

For more information about eligibility requirements, visit https://www.sta-21.navy.mil.

For more news from Naval Service Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/greatlakes/. "

I hope Nick finishes his package before he deploys!

Wow Karla, thank you for joining. I started the group, because STA-21, though an excellent program, is somewhat obscure. What Company is Stephen in? Lee is in Delta. Would you mind sharing Stephen's story, i.e., how he got in to STA-21?

Welcome Karla, sounds like you and your hubby are doing a great job of raising some future sailors for us :-)

As Chris knows, our son is apply for the first time and I would love to know how many times your son had to apply and what school will he be heading to after NSI? Any thoughts on what the most challenging part of the application package was?

Chris, Nick is very determined - I'm sure he will get that application package done. He is hoping to take a few days off this week before they head out so he can put the final touches on it.

Ready or not.

Son just called, they told him today that he will be interviewing with the CO on his ship tomorrow am and with the board on another ship at 0700. There are three from his ship that have prepared their packages. He said more were interested but did not complete some of the requirements in time.

Fingers crossed.

Sounds like he's nearly finished with his package. That's good. Then comes the waiting! Last years results came out on 11/12-- later than previous years. Usually they come out in October.

Hi - my son is going through the Sta-21 process also - he is currently in the nuke pipeline just getting ready to start the last part of the schooling - prototype. He had one set of interviews in SC and is suppose to have the Capt. interview in NY - he arrived there last week. It seems that his STA 21 paperwork is missing though! yiks. He wanted to hand carry it up but they said it was not allowed. Hopefully they find it soon!