Posted on Jun 1, 2014
How can I improve my chances of being picked in the STA-21 program?
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my intent in the naval career is to go officer and broaden my chances of having a career that i don't have to stop when it comes time for me to leave this great organization, I have gathered up info on school. But how can i improve my chances of being picked in the STA-21 program?
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 2
Read the 1420.1B several times. Constantly reference the STA-21 website. You can download all the required documentation from the site and keep it saved on your computer. Start early and find out who your Command commissioning program Officer is. Inform them of what your plan is. Also, refer to the recent NAVADMINs that come out regarding STA-21.
1. Schedule a SAT or ACT, scores are only valid for 3 years under the STA-21 program.
- Know the required minimum scores and study to enhance your chances of doing well. The SAT can be taken for free through the Navy College Office, however they might not offer it during your required timeframe, if not schedule online through College Board early; it is relatively cheap.
2. Your personal statement is the most important piece of the entire package. This is your interview to the board. Focus on your leadership experience, your failures and how you learned from them, and why you want to become an Officer. If you want it just for the pay and rank, you are going to be absolutely miserable.
3. The CO's endorsement is arguably the 2nd most important piece of your package. You will write this for the CO and then route it through the Chain of Command. Pay special attention to detail here.
4. Know what program you are applying for inside and out. How can you say you want to be a "SWO" for example, but not know what their designator or career path is? What does a SWO do? Who do they interact with? What is their schedule on a ship? What about on different ships? If you don't know about your community, why would someone say you belong?
4. Ensure all documentation is filled out completely. Instead of hand writing on documents, fill most of the forms out on a computer. Appraisal sheets can be transferred from hand written form to text. A request can be sent to the board members for their signature on the typed version. Neat quality work looks better.
5. Ask for Letters of Recommendation from O5 and above (or civilians such as senators) - a letter of recommendation can come from anyone, as per the instruction, however requesting a one on one interview with a high ranking Officer and the possibility of a Letter of Recommendation will behoove you.
6. By instruction, you should provide your last 5 evals, Advancement test results, and last 3 PRT cycles which should include cycle one of the year your submit your package. *If you haven't been in long enough for 3 PRTs or 5 evals, submit everything you have. PRT results bear some weight on who gets selected - remember it is one extremely competitive program, thus you should strive for the best results possible.
7. By instruction you will send your package in order, butterfly clipped together with no page protectors or binder. You do not need to buy a high quality leather binder or premium page protectors - though it may come off as good impression to the internal and external board members.
8. The internal board shall be sat by 3 URL Officers, each O3 or above. If the command does not have any URL Officers available, this must be stated somewhere in the COs endorsement. No one chairing the board should be in your direct chain of command (i.e your department head).
9. The external board shall be sat by another Commanding Officer (not subordinate to your CO - i.e not under your COs command - rank is not pertinent here) and 3 URL Officers, each O3 or above whom are not a part of your command.
10. Once your part of the package is completed you will hand over your package to the Command commissioning programs Office and begin your internal board, CO interview, and finally your external board. You may request to verify all documents are certified true and in order prior to shipping your package, however you will not be able to view the appraisal sheets.
11. Be honest, clear and concise. The board members are not looking for RIGHT answers. In fact, many questions will not have RIGHT answers. They are looking for honesty. They want to see YOU. The Officer community is very different from the enlisted one. The last thing you want is someone getting selected who only wants it for the money and rank. In reality, the hours are longer, stress is often higher, and the feeling of being overwhelmed may be constant. It is by no means an easier career path. As an enlisted service member, as long as you do well on advancement tests and advance, you will stay in the Navy; as an Officer, selection to remain in the Navy is must more competitive. You can spend 10 years as an Officer, only to be thanked for your service and asked to leave. This is a big factor if you plan to retire.
12. Nuclear candidates have a much better chance of acceptance into STA-21. It's astonishing to see the number of selectees. The nuclear selectees have continued to grow. Ensure you read your community requirements as they may require certain NECs (such as NSW).
1. Schedule a SAT or ACT, scores are only valid for 3 years under the STA-21 program.
- Know the required minimum scores and study to enhance your chances of doing well. The SAT can be taken for free through the Navy College Office, however they might not offer it during your required timeframe, if not schedule online through College Board early; it is relatively cheap.
2. Your personal statement is the most important piece of the entire package. This is your interview to the board. Focus on your leadership experience, your failures and how you learned from them, and why you want to become an Officer. If you want it just for the pay and rank, you are going to be absolutely miserable.
3. The CO's endorsement is arguably the 2nd most important piece of your package. You will write this for the CO and then route it through the Chain of Command. Pay special attention to detail here.
4. Know what program you are applying for inside and out. How can you say you want to be a "SWO" for example, but not know what their designator or career path is? What does a SWO do? Who do they interact with? What is their schedule on a ship? What about on different ships? If you don't know about your community, why would someone say you belong?
4. Ensure all documentation is filled out completely. Instead of hand writing on documents, fill most of the forms out on a computer. Appraisal sheets can be transferred from hand written form to text. A request can be sent to the board members for their signature on the typed version. Neat quality work looks better.
5. Ask for Letters of Recommendation from O5 and above (or civilians such as senators) - a letter of recommendation can come from anyone, as per the instruction, however requesting a one on one interview with a high ranking Officer and the possibility of a Letter of Recommendation will behoove you.
6. By instruction, you should provide your last 5 evals, Advancement test results, and last 3 PRT cycles which should include cycle one of the year your submit your package. *If you haven't been in long enough for 3 PRTs or 5 evals, submit everything you have. PRT results bear some weight on who gets selected - remember it is one extremely competitive program, thus you should strive for the best results possible.
7. By instruction you will send your package in order, butterfly clipped together with no page protectors or binder. You do not need to buy a high quality leather binder or premium page protectors - though it may come off as good impression to the internal and external board members.
8. The internal board shall be sat by 3 URL Officers, each O3 or above. If the command does not have any URL Officers available, this must be stated somewhere in the COs endorsement. No one chairing the board should be in your direct chain of command (i.e your department head).
9. The external board shall be sat by another Commanding Officer (not subordinate to your CO - i.e not under your COs command - rank is not pertinent here) and 3 URL Officers, each O3 or above whom are not a part of your command.
10. Once your part of the package is completed you will hand over your package to the Command commissioning programs Office and begin your internal board, CO interview, and finally your external board. You may request to verify all documents are certified true and in order prior to shipping your package, however you will not be able to view the appraisal sheets.
11. Be honest, clear and concise. The board members are not looking for RIGHT answers. In fact, many questions will not have RIGHT answers. They are looking for honesty. They want to see YOU. The Officer community is very different from the enlisted one. The last thing you want is someone getting selected who only wants it for the money and rank. In reality, the hours are longer, stress is often higher, and the feeling of being overwhelmed may be constant. It is by no means an easier career path. As an enlisted service member, as long as you do well on advancement tests and advance, you will stay in the Navy; as an Officer, selection to remain in the Navy is must more competitive. You can spend 10 years as an Officer, only to be thanked for your service and asked to leave. This is a big factor if you plan to retire.
12. Nuclear candidates have a much better chance of acceptance into STA-21. It's astonishing to see the number of selectees. The nuclear selectees have continued to grow. Ensure you read your community requirements as they may require certain NECs (such as NSW).
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