I am the Hampton Roads subject matter expert for Navy enlisted-to-officer commissioning programs.

1. What: STA-21 Program When: Thursday, 7 August 2008, 0920 Where: ESO/CCC Workshop, Bldg. C-9, Classroom 2 Presented by: LT David Boisselle, USN This presentation will inform potential enlisted fleet applicants about attaining a STA-21 college scholarship, including eligibility criteria, application procedures and program deadline. Other officer accession programs will be discussed in brief.

3. PROGRAM HISTORY When Sailors today hear the term “ Seaman to Admiral,” no doubt former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Boorda comes to mind. As a product of an enlisted-to-officer commissioning program in the early 1960s, Admiral Boorda was the first CNO to have risen from the enlisted ranks . As CNO, Admiral Boorda immediately reestablished the historic program, Seaman to Admiral, for young Sailors to earn their commission and become naval officers. The admiral believed “ people should have the opportunity to excel, and be all they can be, even if they don’t get a perfect or traditional start .”

4. CURRENT PROGRAM The Navy has combined most of its commissioning paths into one consolidated program , Seaman to Admiral-21. This program is designed to meet the goals of the Navy in the 21 st Century, while creating a fair and equitable system for outstanding active duty Sailors to receive top-notch college education and become commissioned officers in the Unrestricted Line, Nurse Corps, Supply Corps, or Civil Engineer Corps.

7. PROGRAM OPTIONS STA-21 allows Sailors to apply to the Core Option or Target Group Option . Students in Core Program will be choose an Unrestricted Line community in their senior year. (Offers most flexibility in selecting a major and requesting schools to attend.) Students selected into a Target Group Option will, upon commissioning, be assigned to that option’s officer community.

8. PROGRAM OPTIONS Pilot/NFO Surface Warfare (and SWO/IP) Nuclear (SWO & Surface) Special Warfare Civil Engineer Supply Nurse

10. EDUCATION Selection into STA-21 will occur in the fall of each year. Some selectees will initially attend BOOST, then complete Naval Science Institute (NSI), or report directly to NSI. BOOST is designed to offer an individualized program of study to assist in transition to college. BOOST path may be 3 or 6 months long , depending on student’s needs. Those who are not designated to attend BOOST will report directly to NSI. BOOST is located at NETC Newport, RI.

11. EDUCATION The Naval Science Institute (NSI) Program is designed to teach officer candidates the fundamental core concepts of being a naval officer . This program provides competency in navigation, engineering, weapons, military history, justice, etc. NSI is located at NETC Newport, RI and lasts 8 weeks . Upon successful completion of NSI, the STA-21 officer candidates will report to an NROTC affiliated college or university to pursue their college degrees.

12. EDUCATION STA-21 applicants make up to three school choices during the application process, and CNET 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. While selectees are strongly encouraged to pursue technical degree programs, participants are free to choose their major areas of study . Some of the many NROTC colleges and universities include: * University of Arizona * San Diego State University * Pennsylvania State University * University of Notre Dame * ODU/HU/NSU

13. EDUCATION 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 members are required to be enrolled in every academic semester offered by the college or university. Not all STA-21 students will begin their college education at the same time of year due to planned phasing of the program. Some may begin in the summer, others in the fall, and still others in the spring.

14. COMMISSIONING After successfully earning a college degree and graduating from his or her respective college or university, the officer candidate will be commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy . Following graduation, newly commissioned Ensigns are sent to initial training for their officer community.

20. REFERENCES AND POINTS OF CONTACT References: OPNAVINST 1420.1A (Chapt. 8) [https://www.sta-21.navy.mil/opnavinst1420_1a_chap8.pdf] NAVADMIN XXX/09 (approx. May) Your Command Career Counselor Points of contact: The STA-21 program is managed and administered by the Commander, Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), Officer Development. On the Web: https://www.sta-21.navy.mil/ E-mail: [email_address] Telephone: (850) 452-9563 or DSN 922-9563 LT David Boisselle, U.S. Joint Forces Command david.boisselle@jfcom.mil or 836-7935

22. UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY Established in 1845, the Naval Academy, located in Annapolis, Maryland, is the undergraduate college for the Navy that prepares young men and women to become to become professional officers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The Naval Academy ensures that the best students from around the United States are selected for admission and that those who are selected have the drive and motivation to complete the four-year program and excel as Officers in the Navy or Marine Corps. On the Web: www.usna.edu

24. OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL (OCS) The 13-week OCS course has been designed to give an individual a basic working knowledge of the high-tech naval establishment afloat and ashore, to prepare that individual to assume the responsibilities of a naval officer. OCS is open to qualified individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree and who are committed to the goal of earning a commission in the Navy. The United States Naval Officer Candidate School is located at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL. www.nsgreatlakes.navy.mil/otcp/

26. LDO/CWO The Limited Duty Officer and Chief Warrant Officer Programs provide commissioning opportunities to qualified senior enlisted personnel. LDOs and CWOs are technically oriented officers who perform duties limited to specific occupational fields and require strong leadership skills. www.npc.navy.mil/Officer/LDOCWOCommunity/

28. MEDICAL ENLISTED COMMISSIONING PROGRAM (MECP) MECP is a commissioning program specifically intended to provide an advancement pathway to a commission in the Nurse Corps , USNR. Selectees for the program will participate in a nationally accredited academic program leading to a bachelor’s degree in nursing . OPNAVINST 1420.1A, Chapt. 5

36. “ We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now . In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

38. Phone: 683-4744 Or visit: http://www.odu.edu/ao/hrnrotc

39. REFERENCES AND POINTS OF CONTACT References: OPNAVINST 1420.1A (Chapt. 8) [https://www.sta-21.navy.mil/opnavinst1420_1a_chap8.pdf] NAVADMIN XXX/09 (approx. May) Your Command Career Counselor Points of contact: The STA-21 program is managed and administered by the Commander, Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), Officer Development. On the Web: https://www.sta-21.navy.mil/ E-mail: [email_address] Telephone: (850) 452-9563 or DSN 922-9563 LT(Ret) David Boisselle, USN [email_address]