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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Southeast Region Sailors are running out of time to finish their packages for the Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) commissioning program as the Navy solicits applications for fiscal year 2018.
The announcement, detailed in NAVADMIN 094/17, says that qualified Sailors are to have their applications postmarked no later than July 1, but early submissions are encouraged to allow time for Sailors to receive feedback if an issue with their package arises.
“Because the package is due soon, applicants who aren’t already ahead need to bear down and get it done right now,” said Lt. Joshua Haggard, aviation safety officer at Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 48. “If Sailors hear about this program now and don’t have current college entrance exam scores, they shouldn’t hesitate to start putting their package together for the next cycle to get ahead of the game.”
STA-21 is a full-time undergraduate education and commissioning program
open to enlisted personnel of all paygrades who meet certain eligibility requirements and wish to earn a bachelor’s degree to become a commissioned officer.
Lt. Maria Veloria, an assistant maintenance officer at Commander, Naval Surface Squadron (CNSS) 14, who earned her commission in 2011 after completing the STA-21 program, shares Haggard’s sense of urgency towards applicants.
“Take charge of your package and have a checklist that you review at least every week to ensure you are on track,” said Veloria. “Plan ahead and talk to the right people at your command to help you push your application forward. Too many applicants get discouraged because of the administrative burden of the package, but if you put in a little effort every day, you’ll tackle the beast.”
Haggard started his Naval career in 1996 as an aviation electrician’s mate at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, where he aspired to be a pilot after a lieutenant took him flying in a T-34C Turbomentor training aircraft. Haggard would go on to become a rescue swimmer to achieve more time in the air.
“I thought becoming a rescue swimmer would satisfy my desire for flying, but just talking to the pilots out there made me want to be in the front seat even more,” said Haggard.
As a first class petty officer, Haggard graduated after spending 28 months at the University of Memphis, earning a commission through STA-21 in 2006 before going on to become a pilot.
Selected Sailors are provided up to $10,000 per year to cover tuition, books, and fees with a maximum of 36 months of full-time, year-round study to complete a bachelor’s degree, and in return commit to service time requirements following commissioning based on each option.
“Because of my university choice,” said Haggard. “I was able to earn a degree and leave debt free after applying the $10,000 from the Navy each year, so that’s something applicants should also think about during their application process.”
Sailors who have already earned an associate’s degree or have some college credits may also be favorable candidates as they display a level of motivation needed for the program.
“Before enlisting, I already had two years of college from the Philippines before my family migrated to America,” said Valeria. “I also had an associate’s degree, which I completed through Distance Learning while I was on deployment in 2007.
Time spent in the program does not count towards retirement, but it does count for pay purposes. While enrolled, Sailors will receive their full pay and benefits entitled to them by pay grade and still remain eligible for promotion.
Applicants are asked to pay close attention to the eligibility requirements to ensure their package makes it to the board. This includes qualifying scholastic aptitude test (SAT) or American college test (ACT) scores, a commanding officers endorsement, officer interview board appraisal sheets, recent non-judicial punishment, PFA requirements, age restrictions and submission of appropriate documents based on each specific option.
“One of the largest hurdles I had to overcome was the interviews because I was deployed on a hospital ship at the time, which had a lot of civilians on board,” said Haggard. “I knew the officer interviews were an important factor for the selection board to get a well-rounded look at you, and I got lucky there were pilots on board who were able to help me get it done.”
The selection process is very competitive, and applicants should exercise attention to detail to ensure their packages are complete. Last year, out of 342 applicants, 302 were board eligible and only 50 of those were selected for the program.
“If you don’t make it the first time, try again next year,” said Valeria. “Because the worst that can happen is that the board will say no. Keep applying if this is what you truly want, but always put something new to the table every time you apply. Look for ways to be a better version of yourself, whether it be education, physical fitness, good evaluations and command involvement.
The following options are open for this year’s cycle: surface warfare, nuclear (surface/submarine), special warfare, explosive ordnance disposal, naval flight officer, pilot, civil engineer corps, nurse corps and information professional.
The program’s selection board is scheduled to convene in September 2017 and selectees will be notified via NAVADMIN after this time.
To view the STA-21 commissioning program’s full requirements and instructions visit http://www.sta-21.navy.mil/
| Date Taken: | 05.01.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.01.2017 09:29 |
| Story ID: | 232102 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 222 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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