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In the past, there were over a dozen different paths for Sailors to become commissioned officers, Seaman to Admiral being just one of them. This wide array of programs lacked uniformity in benefits, selection procedures, educational opportunities, and program requirements. This created a very confusing web of program applications, deadlines, and choices for fleet applicants and, quite frankly, is very cumbersome for the Navy to manage and administer. Consequently, there were countless Sailors in the fleet who would make outstanding commissioned officers, but due to program restrictions, educational background, or financial concerns, they did not apply.
For all of these reasons and more, the Navy combined most of these current commissioning paths into one consolidated program that preserves the Seaman to Admiral name made popular by Admiral Boorda: Seaman to Admiral-21 (STA-21). The STA-21 Commissioning Program is designed to meet the goals of the Navy in the 21st Century, while at the same time creating a fair and equitable system for outstanding active duty Sailors to receive a top-notch college education and become commissioned officers.
The following fleet commissioning programs were combined to create the STA-21 Program:
What makes the STA-21 Program so different from most of the other commissioning programs is its fairness to the Sailor. Some of the previous enlisted commissioning programs required Sailors to pay their college tuition by themselves. Others removed the student from active duty status, thus taking away any source of income. The STA-21 Program will keep all participants on active duty at their current enlisted pay grade. This means they will receive all the pay, allowances, benefits, and privileges they currently enjoy and will still be eligible for enlisted advancement while in the program: Time spent in school will not count towards retirement, however, it will count towards pay purposes. Sailors will receive up to $10,000 per year to cover tuition, books, and fees. The Sailor will pay any costs above $10,000 per year. Participants attending inexpensive universities that do not require use of the entire $10,000 for any year will not be able to keep the difference.
Although the applicant's history of fleet performance will receive consideration during the selection process, emphasis will be placed on the identification of those applicants who possess the academic and leadership potential necessary to become outstanding Naval officers.
The STA-21 Commissioning Program allows Sailors to apply to the Core Program or a Target group option. The Core Program allows participants the most flexibility in selecting a major and requesting schools to attend. STA-21 students in the Core Program will be assigned an Unrestricted Line (URL) Navy officer designator upon commissioning. (Students will request which officer community they desire during their final year of academic study, but assignment is controlled by NSTC in accordance with annual community goals set by BUPERS). Sailors selected into a Target group option will, upon commissioning, be assigned to that option's officer community. These Target group options each have specific requirements related to them as seen with the dropdown menu below.
Click the drop down for Program Authorization
Make A Selection . . . CEC CORE EOD IP PILOT AND NFO NUCLEAR NURSE SPECWAR SWO SWO(ED)
The information below is derived from the official Program Authorization (PA) found at the bottom of this page. It is the responsibility of the applicant to be familiar with the PA for the option in which they are applying.
While STA-21 will continue to provide the opportunity for Pilot designation as other URL designators, graduates of STA-21 Pilot Option will be designated only as Student Naval Aviators (SNA) (Designator 1390).
Age: Applicants must be at least 19 years old and not have passed their 32nd birthday upon commissioning.
Enlisted Source: Open to men and women of all ratings.
Mental: Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB) minimum scores: Academic Qualifications Rating (AQR) 4 and Pilot Flight Aptitude Rating (PFAR) 5.
Physical: Must be physically qualified and aeronautically adapted to engage in duties involving flight in accordance with the physical standards established by the Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (CHBUMED). Candidates must obtain an aviation applicant physical exam from a qualified flight surgeon to determine aeronautical adaptability.
Active Duty Obligation: STA-21 Pilot Option officer candidates will incur an eight year active duty obligation upon date of designation as a Naval Aviator (1310). Candidates disenrolled from flight training will incur obligation as specified in OPNAVINST 1420.1 series.
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While STA-21 will continue to provide the opportunity for Naval Flight Officer (NFO) designation as well as other URL designators, graduates of STA-21 NFO Option will be designated solely as Student Naval Flight Officer (SNFO) (Designator 1370).
Mental: Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB) minimum scores: Academic Qualifications Rating (AQR) 4 and Flight Officer Aptitude Rating (FOFAR) 5.
Active Duty Obligation: STA-21 NFO Option officer candidates will incur a six year active duty obligation upon date of designation as a Naval Flight Officer (1320). Candidates disenrolled from flight training will incur obligation as specified in OPNAVINST 1420.1 series.
Age: STA-21 SWO Option selectees must be able to complete degree requirements and be commissioned prior to age 35. Waivers beyond age 35 will not be considered.
Educational Requirements: Applicants are strongly encouraged to pursue technical degrees (i.e. Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Oceanography, Operations Analysis, Physical Sciences, or Engineering).
Medical Standards: STA-21 SWO Option applicants must meet medical standards in accordance with the Manual of the Medical Department, Chapter 15.
Service Obligation: STA-21 SWO Option selectees will incur a five-year active duty obligation upon commissioning.
Age: STA-21 Information Professional (IP) Option applicants must be at least 18 years old and be able to complete degree requirements and be commissioned prior to 35th birthday.
Enlisted Source: IP option is open to men and women of all ratings.
Educational Requirements: STA-21 IP Option applicants are required to pursue fields of study directly related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to include Information Technology, Information Management, Computer Science, Computer Network Administration, Information Assurance, Information Security, Electronics Engineering Technology and Computer/Software Programming.
Medical Standards: STA-21 IP Option applicants must meet physical standards for appointment as prescribed in the Manual of the Medical Department, Chapter 15 – color blindness not disqualifying.
Service Obligation: STA-21 IP selectees will incur a five-year active duty obligation upon commissioning.
Clearance Requirements: IP applicants who are selected, must have a current TS/SCI clearance or provide proof that a TS/SCI clearance has been requested.
STA-21 Nuclear Option (STA-21(N)) is available for submarine and surface nuclear-trained officer billets.
Time in Service: STA-21(N) candidates must begin coursework at their STA-21(N) university prior to the completion of eight years of military service.
Age: STA-21(N) candidates must complete degree requirements and be commissioned prior to their 31st birthday. Age waivers may be approved on a case by case basis.
STA-21(N) is only available at specific universities, not including cross-town universities (see Education). Selectees must major in an approved major (here)and maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Enlisted Source: Applicants must:
Educational Requirements: Applicants must have finished sufficient undergraduate work to complete requirements for a baccalaureate degree in 36 months.
Medical Standards: All STA-21(N) candidates must meet the physical qualification requirements for submarines and nuclear field duty. It is strongly recommended that a physical be completed and approved by the Undersea Medicine personnel during the application process.
Service Obligation: STA-21(N) selectees incur a five-year active duty obligation upon commissioning. STA-21(N) disenrollees that drop on request prior to commissioning will be obligated for five years of enlisted service from the date of program disenrollment, or the remainder of their current enlistment, whichever is longer.
Age: STA-21 SPECWAR Option selectees must be able to complete degree requirements and be commissioned by age 29. Maximum age limit may be adjusted upward for active service on a month-for-month basis up to 24 months. Waivers beyond 24 months will be considered for enlisted personnel who possess particularly exceptional qualifications, provided they can be commissioned prior to age 42.
Enlisted Source: STA-21 SPECWAR Option applicants must possess one of the following NECS: (026A) SEAL Navy enlisted classification or (052X) SWCC special warfare board operator.
Gender: No restrictions.
Educational Requirements: Applicants are strongly encouraged to pursue technical degrees (i.e., Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Oceanography, Operations Analysis, Physical Sciences, or Engineering) or degrees relevant to a NSW career (i.e., national securities studies, special operations/low intensity conflict, financial management, operations research analysis, or information systems and operations, etc.). Participants are also encourages to pursue foreign language education.
Medical Standards: Applicants must pass physical qualification in accordance with Manual of the Medical Department, Chapter 15, including qualification for diving duty and/or combat swimmer.
Service Obligation: STA-21 SPECWAR Option selectees will incur a five-year active duty obligation upon commissioning. Additional obligated service may be incurred as a result of special training received following commissioning.
Age: STA-21 EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL (EOD) Option selectees must be at least 19 years old and be able to complete degree requirements and be commissioned prior to 30th birthday. Maximum age limit may be adjusted upward for active service on a month-for-month basis up to twenty-four (24) months. Waivers beyond 24 months will be considered for enlisted personnel who possess particularly exceptional qualifications, provided they can be commissioned prior to age 35.
Enlisted Source: EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL – EOD and Diving community applicants must have one of the following NECs: 5332/33/34/35/36/37/42/43/5931/5932, and 8493 or 8494.
Educational Requirements: Applicants are strongly encouraged to pursue technical degrees (i.e., Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Oceanography, Operations Analysis, Physical Sciences, or Engineering).
Service Obligation: STA-21 EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL (EOD) selectees will incur a five-year active duty obligation upon commissioning.
Age: At least 19 years old and have not passed their 42nd birthday at time of commissioning. Waivers: Not applicable
Enlisted Source: CEC Option is now accepting applications from all ratings. In addition to standard STA-21 eligibility criteria, STA-21 CEC Option selectees must have at least four years of active duty (of which at least three years were in an other than formal training environment), as of the scheduled start of Naval Science Institute (NSI) for year applying.
Selectees will major in a National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited architecture program or Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited engineering curricula and maintain a 3.0 minimum grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. Preferred engineering degrees are civil, mechanical, ocean and electrical engineering.
Medical Standards: Same as Core STA-21 Program except color-blindness is not a disqualifying condition.
Service Obligation: STA-21 CEC Option Selectees incur a five-year active duty obligation upon commissioning. Additional obligated service may be incurred as a result of special training received following commissioning.
Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old and be able to complete degree requirements and commissioned by age 42.
Enlisted Source: This option is open to men and women of all ratings.
Educational Requirements: STA-21 Nurse Corps Option participants are exempt from the two semester Calculus and Calculus-based Physics minimum requirement of the STA-21 Core program. However, they are required to meet the math and science requirements of their Nursing degree program.
The STA-21 Nurse Corps Option is available only at specially identified NROTC affiliated colleges or universities with nursing programs that confer a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing that is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (see Education).
Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and have accepted by the university to which applying, a minimum of 45 quarter, or 30 semester credit hours in undergraduate nursing prerequisite courses (general English, general math, psychology*, biology*, chemistry*, organic chemistry*, anatomy and physiology*, microbiology*, nutrition*, sociology*, PE class, and history; although some of these courses fit your general degree requirements, it is very important to get the science (*) classes completed in order to be prepared to enter into the sequential nursing curriculum). Credit hours may be a combination of traditional classroom courses, College Level Entry Program (CLEP) credit, on-line or distance learning programs, or military training credits provided the school to which the application is made accepts the non-traditional credits.
Licensure Requirements: Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science Nursing degree, member must successfully pass the National Council Licensing Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) as required by SECNAVINST 1120.6 Series. Register for the test through the National Council of State Board of Nursing. The NCLEX-RN test is administered by a testing service. Professional licensing is required to practice nursing.
Physical Requirements: Must meet the physical standards for service on active duty as recommended by the Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED). DCNO N1, upon recommendation of BUMED, may waive physical defects that will not interfere with the performance of active duty within the guidelines of NAVMED P-117.
Service Obligation: STA-21 Nurse Corps Option selectees will incur a five-year active duty obligation upon commissioning.
From 10 U.S. Code § 6328 - Computation of years of service: voluntary retirement © Time Spent in Seaman to Admiral Program.-The months of active service in pursuit of a baccalaureate-level degree under the Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) program of the Navy of officer candidates selected for the program on or after October 28, 2009, shall be excluded in computing the years of service of an officer who was appointed to the grade of ensign in the Navy upon completion of the program to determine the eligibility of the officer for retirement, unless the officer becomes subject to involuntary separation or retirement due to physical disability. Such active service shall be counted in computing the years of active service of the officer for all other purposes.
- Note: Some Special Pays may continue for participants in the STA-21 Special Warfare and Explosive Ordinance Disposal options as directed by the Officer Community Manager (BUPERS - 311D and BUPERS - 311E respectively).
Selection into the STA-21 Program will occur in the fall of each year. Selectees will be notified several months in advance of the assigned date they will begin the STA-21 Program during the following year. NSTC will determine reporting dates to NSI.
The Naval Science Institute (NSI) portion of the STA-21 Program is designed to teach each officer candidate the fundamental core concepts of being a Naval officer. This program provides competency in such areas as navigation, engineering, weapons, military history and justice, etc. NSI is located at OTC-N Newport, RI and lasts 6 weeks. NSI is a very specific curriculum that was designed to build upon the naval experience of highly trained enlisted Sailors and help them transition into their future careers as Naval officers. All STA-21 selectees will attend NSI en route to their assigned university. View NSI Welcome Aboard Package.
Upon successful completion of NSI, STA-21 officer candidates will report to an NROTC affiliated college or university for their summer term to pursue their college degree.
Each STA-21 applicant selects up to three school choices during the application process, and NSTC conducts actual student placement to the schools after selection into the program. This placement is based on several factors including available NROTC Unit openings, program option*, etc.
Participants in the STA-21 Nurse Option, CEC Option, or Nuclear Option may only attend colleges or universities listed as approved institutions. No waivers of this requirement will be granted.
For a complete list of all NROTC affiliated universities, visit the NSTC NROTC Colleges and Universities web page: https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/Navy-ROTC-Schools.
While selectees are strongly encouraged to pursue technical degree programs, participants are free to choose their major areas of study. Certain STA-21 program options have specific degree requirements (Nuclear, Nurse, CEC, etc). However, all STA-21 officer candidates (with the exception of Nurse Corps Option) must successfully complete two semesters each of calculus and calculus-based physics prior to graduation, regardless of their major. While attending college, all STA-21 officer candidates are required to participate in all NROTC Unit functions except for summer cruise/activities and completion of the Naval Science course content not covered during NSI.
Students in the STA-21 Program will attend school full-time year-round. All students are required to complete degree requirements in not more than 36 calendar months. STA-21 officer candidates will not participate in summer cruises or any other summer activities that the NROTC Unit midshipmen must complete. STA-21 members are required to be enrolled in every academic semester, quarter, trimester, or minimester offered by the university. Not all STA-21 students will begin their college education at the same time of year due to planned phasing of the program. Many selectees will begin in the summer and a few (i.e. Nurse) in the fall.
After successfully earning a college degree and graduating from his or her respective university, the officer candidate will be commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. Following graduation from the university, newly commissioned Ensigns are sent to initial training for their officer community.