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.
NUCLEAR (SUBMARINE AND SURFACE) OPTION
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 technical curricula and maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Enlisted Source: Applicants must:
- Have completed the naval nuclear power training pipeline, hold a nuclear NEC (335X, 336X, 338X, or 339X), and be stationed at any command, or
- Be enrolled in Naval Nuclear Training Pipeline (i.e., Nuclear Field A-School, Nuclear Power School, or a Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit).
- Receive conditional release from nuclear duty from the nuclear enlisted community manager (OPNAV N133D) per NAVADMIN 070/13. Applicants must submit a NAVPERS 1306/7 to OPNAV N133D via their detailer (PERS-403). The release must be included in their application package.
Gender: Open to men and women.
Educational Requirements: Applicants for the STA-21 Nuclear Option must have a minimum of 1140 SAT (combined) or 50 ACT (combined Math/English). Additionally, applicants must have finished sufficient undergraduate work to complete requirements for a baccalaureate degree in 36 months
Medical Standards: All STA-21 Nuclear Option candidates must meet the physical qualification requirements for submarines and/or 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 Nuclear Option Selectees incur a five-year active duty obligation upon commissioning. Those STA-21 Nuclear Option 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.