STA-21 Program Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a citizen of the United States. No waivers.
• Be recommended by the Commanding Officer. Applicants must have good moral character, officer potential, and unquestionable loyalty to the United States.
• Be serving on active duty with an Active Duty Service Date (ADSD) in the U.S. Navy or Full Time Support (FTS). Selected Reservist (SELRES) must be on ADSW orders. SELRES on ACDUTRA, AT, or I-ACDUTRA orders are not eligible. Individual Program Options may have additional requirements and specific restrictions. (See the "Program Options/Authorization" Tab on this page.)
• Be a high school graduate. High school diploma or equivalency certificates based upon military education experience and General Equivalency Diploma (GED) test results are acceptable to meet the educational requirements if issued by the Department of Education of a state, commonwealth, or territory of the United States of America or the District of Columbia.
• Be able to complete requirements for a baccalaureate degree in 36 months or less.
• Be able to complete degree requirements and be commissioned prior to the birthday specified in the Program Options Tab on this page. Waivers of this requirement may be considered by Program Managers for the specific options.
• Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale while enrolled in STA-21. Certain Program Options may have different requirements.
• Qualifying ACT or SAT scores MUST come from the same test and be included in the application when submitting to the Commanding Officer. If multiple tests were taken, we will take your BEST scores within five (5) years of application deadline (i.e., applicants that are applying in 2024 for FY25 must submit scores from a test taken after 1 July 2019 but before 1 July 2024). To be eligible we require a minimum of 1000 SAT (500 Math and 500 EBRW) or ACT test minimums score of 41 (21 Math and 20 English). Applicants for the Nuclear Option must have a minimum of 1140 SAT (combined Math/EBRW) or 50 ACT (combined Math/English) but meeting individual test score minimums SAT – 500M/500 EBRW or ACT – 21M/20E).

Testing Information

DANTES no longer provides or funds SAT/ACT exams. Fees must be paid for by the service member at the time of testing. If the exam is taken at a National/International Test Center, the quickest way to receive your exam score report is to create an account at the appropriate testing agency website (ACT or SAT). Use release code 0493. Your scores will then be automatically entered into NETFOCUS.

• ACT: Create an account and retrieve scores here.
• SAT: Access your scores via the College Board website.

Additional Requirements

• Meet physical commissioning standards for appointment in the Unrestricted Line (URL); Restricted Line (RL) for the current Fiscal Year open STA-21 Officer Target Options.
• Have no record of courts-martial convictions or civilian felony convictions.
• Have no record of driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) within the three (3) years preceding 01 July of application year. Substantiated alcohol or drug-related incidents while in an enlisted status are considered an aspect of an individual's performance and judgment and will be considered when assessing future leadership potential. Applicants who are alcohol dependent must have successfully completed the appropriate regimen of treatment and education in accordance with OPNAVINST 5350.4C and have remained alcohol free for the period of three (3) years preceding 01 July of application year.
• Have no record of disciplinary action under Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), or conviction by civil court for misdemeanors (except minor offenses that impose a fine of $300 or less, exclusive of court charges) during the three (3) years preceding 01 July of application year.
• Must submit scores for the previous three (3) PFA cycles.  Must have passed the most recent PFA completed with a minimum overall score of "GOOD/LOW" or better (unless waived).  For applicants who received a waiver on the most current PFA(s), the score from the previous PFA will be accepted.  A grade of SATISFACTORY or FAILURE on the most recent PFA cycle will make the applicant ineligible.  If needed, command should administer a special PRT to meet the PFA Good/Low or better requirement.
• Have submitted all documentation listed in OPNAVINST 1420.1B  (Chapter 8) paragraph 6 (Application Procedures). Omission of documentation may be disqualifying for this program.
• Maintain eligibility requirements during the application period and during participation in the program.
• Meet additional requirements as described in Program Options. (See the "Program Options/Authorization" Tab on this page.)

Notes

• Students presently enrolled in other officer accession programs are not eligible for the STA-21 Program.
• Individuals who have already obtained their baccalaureate degree are not eligible for STA-21 and should apply directly for Officer Candidate School (OCS). OCS application procedures can be found in OPNAVINST 1420.1B (Chapter 4).
• The Aviation OCM has changed to BUPERS 313 at:

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