Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) Program

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 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.

Some basic responsibilities of Officer Candidate (OC) are as follows:

• Maintain military standards both in and out of uniform
• Participate in unit events
• Ensure that you are attending and passing classes 
• Maintain your physical fitness to preform to Navy or Marine Corps standards
• Develop your level of professionalism