Another STA-21 FY05 Hopeful

[fc2spyguy]

Ok, I'm mainly concerned about my ASTB scores that I just got back this week and took for the second time. Last year I took the ASTB and scored a 43, I forget the exact breakdown. I took it again last week after studying some book that I had purchased on the internet and having recently completed Math 185 Col. Algebra. I scored a 52 with 7's on every part. So I am wondering if this would be considered competative.

A couple other questions I have for anyone who has gone through the STA-21 process. Have outside letters of rec helped? I asked my first captain now Rear Admiral Sullivan at the Pentagon write a letter of rec for me and he was nice enough to do so. I am also seeking a letter of rec from my congressman back home. Would this seem like a power push or somthing that would go well with an application?

And a little background on myself. I'm an FC1(SW) currently at my first shore duty station in my second year here and 8 total years in the Navy age: 25 (26 on Saturday). I started as a tech on the ship continualy moved up in responsability to Assistant LPO of CF division (AEGIS Weapons System). I did try for the STA-21 program last year however was not selected. Since then I have almost completed my associates (5 classes left after may) and have held a gpa over 3.8.

One of the bad things on my record. I don't know how much high school will weigh now that I've been in the Navy for 8 years but my graduating gpa was a dismal 2.066 and like 59 of 62. I did however score a 1230 on my SAT last year w/ a 650 mat and a 580 english.

Any assistance with this is greatly appreciated. I did start a little late in the application process and if I am not selected this year I likely won't be able to apply next year due to PCS and schools. You can't transfer if you have a STA-21 package submitted and it would be dificult to say the least to get one submitted while at a C school not to mention upset my detailer to no end.

Oh yeah, one more question. I am currently at White Sands Missile Range and will be needing to set up a review board somewhere other than here. Last year I contacted my first divo who was the Weapons Officer onboard the USS Lake Champlain. However, this year they'll be gone when I need to conduct the board. Do you think setting up the board at a NAS would be helpful since I am going for the pilot option or does it not really make a diference.

Thank you for you time,

V/R

FC1

 

[cricechex]

spyguy, I am also curious if outside rec's are a good idea, such as a congressman? Has anyone else done that before, while applying for an enlisted/commissioning program?

CRiceChex

 

[fc2spyguy]

I just found out that my Congressman has said that he will sign a letter. I am just trying to find out if anyone has ever put this with a STA-21 application? Or if anyone has an opinion on including such a letter in an application.

 

[cricechex]

That is great man, I am sure it won't hurt. How did you get him to give you one? Have you been in contact with him before, or did you just write him a letter with your information, basically bragging about your accomplishments?

 

[fc2spyguy]

I sent him a letter requesting an endorsement and the reasons I'm applying for the program. Along with that I sent a sample letter of endorsement that I typed up and my application from last year.

 

[cricechex]

What dod you mean, sample letter of endorsement? Did you write his letter for him?

 

[turtle_sc]

So, back to first question, to letters of rec help alot? I know someone who got picked up last year, and he didn't have any letters of rec in his package. So, what does everyone think. I figure it can't hurt to have some, but I don't know about the congressman????

Turtle

 

[cjettaf]

Cricechex and SpyGuy,
About the letters of recomendation. I did not have any in my package, nor do I know anyone who had (other than the required CO endorsement and officer appraisal sheets). I would imagine that a letter of recommendation from someone who knows you well would weigh a bit more than one coming from someone who doesn't know you at all. Also, keep in mind if they are included as part of your STA-21 package they will be put towards the very end of it. I concentrated more on doing well during my interviews and putting effort in my personal statement. Just remember it is YOUR package and you make the ultimate decision what it contains. I hope this helps.
-CJF

 

[fc2spyguy]

October-December 2002 Page 11 LINK Perspective

The following correspondence represents one board member’s
observations from the FY03 Seaman-to-Admiral 21 (STA-21)
Board. It is intended to provide additional insight for COs, supervisors,
and applicants as they compile and submit STA-21 packages
for future boards. Some recommendations may appear to state
the obvious, but are provided as a result of packages encountered
during the board. 1,438 sailors applied for selection in the FY03
board, including 14 Intelligence Officer applicants. Selection results
should come out in a NAVADMIN by mid-Oct. STA-21 program
details are available in references (a) and (b).
Commanding Officer Endorsement
This is probably the most important document in the package,
it needs to be clear and make a strong impact in the opening lines.
Important points to consider or to communicate to the board include:
• Keep recommendations clear, concise, and incontrovertible.
• Don’t hide your strong recommendation in the last paragraph.
• If the applicant is not ready for commissioning, tell the board.
• Don’t make board members read between the lines of neutral
verbiage.
• Consider screening applicant out at the command level with
appropriate feedback.
• Ensure the CO endorsement reflects the intended strength of
support.
• Stating “Forwarded” sends an unmistakable (neutral or negative)
message.
• “Forwarded, with my strongest personal recommendation” sends
another.
• Provide breakouts of both total applicants submitted from your
command and of those competing for a specific program option
(e.g., Intelligence Officer).
• Let the board know if there is little difference between your #1
and #2 applicants.
• Speak to your desire to have the applicant back as a member of
your wardroom.
• Highlight leadership experience – especially for junior sailors
whose evals may not yet reflect this important trait (can also
include high school experience).
Personal statement
This is the one part of the entire application package over which
the applicant has total control – make it count!
• Keep it concise.
• Ensure it meets content requirements provided in the STA-21
instruction.
• Emphasize personal strengths, goals, and motivations. Discuss
how they will influence future contributions in applicant’s specific
designator choice. This requires knowledge of the STA-
21 program and specifics about the officer program desired.
• Avoid a “me-centric” focus (i.e., acceptance into the program
clearly benefits the individual, but also provides a foundation
to improve leadership opportunity, share enlisted experience
with future shipmates, have a broader impact on the Navy, etc.).
• Highlight high school and non-Navy leadership positions and
experiences that don’t come out in other parts of the package.
• Have a mentor review the statement - misspellings, typos, and
grammatical errors detract from the package.
Evaluations
• Gaps are unacceptable, ensure continuity or provide an explanation
to the board.
• Include recommendations for commissioning programs where
appropriate.
• Rank top “must promotes” – breakout in a large group can still
come across as a positive.
Feedback from the FY03 Seaman-to-Admiral 21 board
see ‘Feedback,’ page 12
Transcripts
• Good or bad, all are required.
• Better to include the good/bad/ugly and
explain poor performance.
• Demonstrate improvement via off-duty
education where possible, especially for
those who fared poorly in high school/
early collegiate experience.
Officer interviews
• Carry a lot of weight with the board.
• More credence was given to comments
since most grades were two-blocked to
the left.
• Sheets marked with all “10s” with no
amplifying comments were not useful.
• Interviewer comments regarding willingness
to serve with the applicant, potential
as an officer, and relative ranking
against previous applicants for commissioning
programs are particularly helpful.
• If the applicant is not ready for commissioning,
tell the board – don’t make
board members read between the lines
of neutral verbiage.
Letters of Recommendation
Take to time to include letters of recommendation
from former supervisors, CO,
etc.
Particularly favorable were letters from
Chief Petty Officers currently in the chain
of command, CMCs, and others with close
knowledge of the applicant’s performance.
Miscellaneous
• Include letters/certificates to support
unique qualifications or achievements
not documented elsewhere (e.g., OOD
In port, Conning Officer, etc.).
• PRT score counts – speaks to initiative
and the “whole person” concept.
• Applicant should ensure the package is
complete and professional looking.
• Explain any negative marks/comments
(e.g., poor transcripts, 2.0 mark in Military
Bearing due to a failed PRT, NJP,
etc.) in the personal statement or CO endorsement
letter.
Feedback...
continued from page 11

This is the reason I got the former co's endorsement and was curious about the Congressman. And yes, I wrote a letter of endorsement I am not sure if that is the exact one that he used. I'll find out this week when I get it back.

 

[digger]

Here is my $0.02, think of it as if you are the reviewing officer. A letter from a congressman shows the effort you put forward; a letter from your LCPO supports your character, a letter from your CMC shows support from your LCPO and up to, get the point? The higher ranking the better. A congressman will endorse your letter without a whim, he has nothing to lose and a vote to gain.

 

[devl505]

I had a letter of rec from a prior CO who now works for the JCS at the Pentagon. I am sure it didn't hurt as I was selected. Don't go overboard with LOR's, one or two will not hurt your package, they merely add weight to what is already there.

Devl505
STA-21/Boost class 0404
Grad Date 23July2004