Old STA-21 program vs. New

[fc2spyguy]

Ok, I was just thinking about this given the new age limitations for the STA-21 program for this year.

My understanding of the old program was that you recevied your commission right away and went to what ever pipeline it is that you were accepted for. Then on your first shore tour you went to college to get a degree.

Did this prove to be problematic with people not obtaining a degree or having trouble getting through training pipelines w/o college experience? I am just trying to figure out why the Navy changed from this program to the new one in the first place. I understand they can save a few dollars by sending us to college and paying us our current rank and then getting the commission, but it seems like there would likely be other issues that brought about the change.

Also, could the shore tour at college adversely affect the potential for the officer to advance? Is there a certain point that you HAVE to have a masters in order to advance?

It seems to me with the new age limitations they're keeping a large group of Sailors from applying to the program. Mainly anyone who is here right now that isn't in the Nuclear, Spec War, Spec Ops and intel communities. I think about 90% of us would not have be eligible for the program given the new restrictions to age.

So, commissioning first and school later would allow those same Sailors to get into the program because we would be commissioned prior to going to college thus taking off 3 years needed before commissioning.

I guess I'm really just curious if there were some big problems with the old program that caused the change or if it was mainly a money issue?

 

[KimberlyD]

Just rumors that I've heard in the Commissary (where else does a wife get the dirt???) but yeah, it was that they weren't getting their degree, usually due to failing classes. Keep in mind this info was learned in aisle 3 of the Commissary in Newport where I was talking to some wives fr the old program & they said a lot of people were failing out. I believe it, they already had their commission & so could "take it easy", a lot of the people we know have failed out of the new STA-21 (a lot being ab 10 in our 2 years, still that's quite a lot considering the critieria for selection).

 

[etnuclearsailor]

Those could be reasons the old "Seaman to Admiral" was so limited. They only picked up fifty sailors a year anyway. The new "Seaman to Admiral 21" looks more like the ECP than STA.

 

[makana]

Just rumors that I've heard in the Commissary (where else does a wife get the dirt???) but yeah, it was that they weren't getting their degree, usually due to failing classes. Keep in mind this info was learned in aisle 3 of the Commissary in Newport where I was talking to some wives fr the old program & they said a lot of people were failing out. I believe it, they already had their commission & so could "take it easy", a lot of the people we know have failed out of the new STA-21 (a lot being ab 10 in our 2 years, still that's quite a lot considering the critieria for selection).

I wasn't anywhere near Newport, nor the Commissary but I too heard that rumor. After completing the boat tour, making O-3E pay, there wasn't much incentive to excel for those guys who didn't plan on staying in for 20 years. I personally don't understand the logic; why not take advantage of a free college education? Having said that, I was in the second wave of the STA program (50 per year, college before commission, no tuition cap) and went to school with a lot of those guys and never heard of any of them failing out.

 

[Brett327]

As one of the old school legacy STA guys, I can tell you that there are flavors of truth to most of the aforementioned. I haven't heard of people failing out, in fact going back to school has got to be one of the easiest academic things I've ever done, especially compared to flight school. I work less than half the hours I did in a squadron and still get a 4.0. I can say that people in my boat who want a shot at command pretty much have to commit to 30+ years of service - something which I have absolutely no problem with. There are guys who look like they're going to do their disassociated tour and punch out. The O-4 at CNET eluded to the notion that BUPERS' biggest issue with it is a fiscal one. Not only are they paying me as an O-3 over 14, but I also get a free ride at a very expensive private university which will amount to over $100K by the time I'm done. The STA-21 guys get E-5 pay and nothing close to a free ride. I see lots of those guys just scraping by. So, bottom line, lots of reasons for the change, but mostly a money issue with the Bureau.

Brett

 

[NukeWife]

The STA-21 guys get E-5 pay and nothing close to a free ride.

The STA-21 guys don't get E-5 pay, unless they are already an E-5. They stay at their current pay grade while in college, unless the advance off of their advancement exam. (Can you tell that I am really freaking hoping that my hubby made E-5 off this last exam?)

 

[Brett327]

The STA-21 guys don't get E-5 pay, unless they are already an E-5. They stay at their current pay grade while in college, unless the advance off of their advancement exam. (Can you tell that I am really freaking hoping that my hubby made E-5 off this last exam?)

Of course, I'm generalizing, but the vast majority of them are E-5s.

Brett

 

[etnuclearsailor]

Getting a free ride through college is a matter of picking your school appropriately. I picked a school well under the $10,000/yr scholarship requirement.

 

[Brett327]

Getting a free ride through college is a matter of picking your school appropriately. I picked a school well under the $10,000/yr scholarship requirement.

True. Someone should have told that to all the STA-21 guys at USD. They look so hungry!

Brett