FY-17 SEAMAN TO ADMIRAL-21 PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

[Tony]

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R 291830Z MAR 16
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INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC
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NAVADMIN 078/16

MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/MAR//

SUBJ/FY-17 SEAMAN TO ADMIRAL-21 PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT//

REF/A/DOC/OPNAV/14DEC09//
REF/B/MSG/CNO WASHINGTON DC/221403ZMAR13//
NARR/REF A IS OPNAVINST 1420.1B, ENLISTED TO OFFICER COMMISSIONING PROGRAMS
APPLICATION ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL.  REF B IS NAVADMIN 070/13, NUCLEAR TRAINED
SAILOR APPLICATIONS TO OFFICER COMMISSIONING PROGRAMS.//

RMKS/1.  This NAVADMIN solicits applications and provides guidance for the
FY-17 Seaman to Admiral-21 (STA-21) Commissioning Program.

2.  STA-21 is a full-time undergraduate education and commissioning program
open to enlisted personnel of all paygrades and ratings who meet the
eligibility requirements specified in reference (a).

3.  Deadline for submission of applications for the FY-17 STA-21 Program is 1
July 2016.  Application packages must be postmarked on or before the deadline
date.  It is recommended that applications be mailed prior to the deadline as
early submission allows timely feedback to the Sailor for submission of
missing or illegible documents.  Deadline for submission of additional
documentation to an applicants package is 1 August 2016.  No additional
documents can be added after this date.  The selection board is scheduled to
convene in September 2016, and the selectees will be announced via NAVADMIN.

4.  The following target options and core are open for application for the
FY-17 Selection Board:  Surface Warfare (SWO), SWO/ED, Nuclear (Surface/Sub),
Special Warfare, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Naval Flight Officer, Pilot,
Civil Engineering Corps, Nurse Corps, and Oceanography (OCEANO).

5.  The following target options have zero select opportunity for FY-17:
Human Resources, Intelligence, Information Warfare, Information Professional,
Medical Corps, Supply Corps, Surface Warfare Officer/Information Professional
(SWO/IP), and SWO/OCEANO.

6.  The Nuclear (Surface/Sub) target option is now open to Sailors who are
serving in the fleet and hold an active nuclear Navy enlisted classification
(335X, 336X, 338X, or 339X).  This option is a change to the previous years
eligibility policy.  Sailors who are serving as a staff member or student in
the Navy Nuclear Power Training pipeline are also eligible, as they have been
in previous years.  All applicants must be able to begin their first day of
class in the first semester of their course work prior to commencing their
eighth year of service.  See the Nuclear Program Authorization (PA150A) dated
December 2015 for more specific information and all other requirements to
apply for the program.  Additionally, all applicants must receive conditional
release, per reference (b), from the Nuclear Enlisted Community Manager
(OPNAV N133D).

7.  The following information addresses lessons learned from the FY-16 STA-21
selection process and board.  This information is provided to preclude common
errors:
    a.  Of the 423 applications received for FY-16, only 315 were board
eligible.  A total of 50 were selected to participate in the FY-16 STA-21
Program.
    b.  Each year, packages are not considered due to non-qualifying
Scholastic Aptitude Test/American College Test (SAT/ACT) test scores, missing
commanding officer (CO) endorsement/recommendation, recent non-judicial
punishment, missing physical fitness assessment (PFA) cycles, missing or
illegible submission of documents, and not meeting program age or PFA
requirements.
    c.  Minimum eligibility requirements must be met before submitting an
application.  Applications should be mailed only when fully completed.
Officer interview boards shall consist of three officers; the applicants CO
may not be a board member and should not submit an interview appraisal sheet.
The COs personal interview should be conducted only after the application is
complete and the officer interview board has submitted their appraisals.  The
full picture of an applicants academic and officer potential can only be
determined by reviewing the SAT/ACT scores, high school/college transcripts,
and a completed application package.
    d.  The COs endorsement is extremely important, especially the ranking
of the individual among his/her peers.  The endorsement should contain
specifics about the individuals academic potential, commitment, leadership,
service above self, and potential as a naval officer.  CO comments should
specify the primary option to which the individual is applying and address
how the individual meets qualifications for that option.  For junior Sailors
with only schoolhouse evaluations, the CO must address this issue in his or
her endorsement.
    e.  An interview board and nomination review board shall be conducted in
accordance with reference (a).  It is recommended that officers of the
applicants designator of choice, if available, be asked to participate in
the interview/nomination review board to assess the applicant for their
community.  Officer appraisals provide important insight on the applicant.
The appraisal from the board should be a frank and honest assessment of the
applicants leadership and academic potential.  Appraisal forms should be
typed in 10 or 12 point font.
    f.  The applicants personal statement should address why the Sailor
wants to become an officer, how the Sailors selection would improve the
Navy, and why the Sailor is applying for a specific option.  Sailors must
also address any hardships or unique experiences that shaped their character.
Junior Sailors should provide information on high school experiences as high
school transcripts rarely provide in-depth information on involvement in
sports, clubs, volunteer hours, work, etc.  Additionally, applicants should
address any anomalies in the package (e.g., poor high school grades, college
grades, or service school grades, poor evaluation performance).  The
explanation should include details of the situation, how the applicant has
overcome these issues, and why the applicant will be successful in the
future.
    g.  The application is a reflection of the applicant.  Applicants must
review their packages in their entirety before submitting.  Check for
misspelled words and improper grammar.  Ensure all transcripts (high school
and all colleges) are enclosed.  Within the last year, applicants must have
passed the PFA, to include body composition assessment and the physical
readiness test with performance in the good category.  For applicants who
received a waiver on the most recent PRT, points will be awarded from the
most recent observed score from the latest full test taken within a year of
application (i.e. Fall 2015 and Spring 2016).  A grade of satisfactory or
failure of the above two required PRTs will make the applicant ineligible.
    h.  Qualifying SAT/ACT scores are required.  Include any additional
recommendations, qualifications, or other accomplishments as a part of the
package.
    i.  It is recommended that the command retain a copy of the entire
application package.  The command copy should not be given to the applicant.

8.  Mail completed applications to:
    Commander
    Naval Service Training Command (OD2/STA 21)
    250 Dallas Street Ste A
    Pensacola FL 32508-5268

9.  For questions, specific details, eligibility criteria, application
requirements, and selection procedures, refer to reference (a), contact your
command career counselor, or visit the STA-21 website at http://www.sta-

21.navy.mil for the most up-to-date information.

10.  Point of contact is Naval Service Training Command, STA-21 Program
Officer, at (850) 452-9563/DSN 459 or via e-mail at pnsc_sta21(at)navy.mil.
Point of contact for the nuclear target option policy change is the Nuclear
Enlisted Community Manager, OPNAV N133D at (703) 604-5491/DSN 664 or via e-
mail at bullnuke(at)navy.mil.

11.  Released by Vice Admiral W. F. Moran, N1.//

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