Ok. This topic was discussed in another thread and I just wanted to open its own topic. The topic was should someone try to make Chief while in STA-21 program. Obviously there are no right or wrong answers on this just opinions but I wanted to see what they are. Here is mine.
Chief, the toughest rank to achieve as an enlisted sailor. The road to making Chief is a long and tough one to make. Many people I know retire as First Class Petty Officers and even some Second Class ones as well. Taking a spot while in the STA-21 program to me is just not right.
The spot you are taking will be for no more than 2 years, you have to figure anyone in the STA-21 program is very junior and will probably require the better part of a year to be paid for it. This could potentially take a slot from someone who is in their 18th/19th year of service and is at their last chance to make Chief. This is taking a slot from someone that may go to the fleet as "The Chief". This to me it is a slot that should be coveted by anyone who achieves the rank of Chief. Now, you say this person should have tried harder or some other excuse saying that you deserve it. I'm not saying someone who has been accepted to the STA-21 wouldn't be a good Chief but the fact is even if you make E-7 you'll never be a "Chief." You'll still be a midshipman just collecting E-7 pay. This is as I said taking away a spot for someone to be the Chief and not just an E-7. You'll get your pay increase when you make O-1E. And you will go well beyond that of an E-7 in no time. Be happy with that and know that you will be part of the Navys future leadership.
FC1(SW) Dohnal
Chief, the toughest rank to achieve as an enlisted sailor. The road to making Chief is a long and tough one to make. Many people I know retire as First Class Petty Officers and even some Second Class ones as well. Taking a spot while in the STA-21 program to me is just not right.
The spot you are taking will be for no more than 2 years, you have to figure anyone in the STA-21 program is very junior and will probably require the better part of a year to be paid for it. This could potentially take a slot from someone who is in their 18th/19th year of service and is at their last chance to make Chief. This is taking a slot from someone that may go to the fleet as "The Chief". This to me it is a slot that should be coveted by anyone who achieves the rank of Chief. Now, you say this person should have tried harder or some other excuse saying that you deserve it. I'm not saying someone who has been accepted to the STA-21 wouldn't be a good Chief but the fact is even if you make E-7 you'll never be a "Chief." You'll still be a midshipman just collecting E-7 pay. This is as I said taking away a spot for someone to be the Chief and not just an E-7. You'll get your pay increase when you make O-1E. And you will go well beyond that of an E-7 in no time. Be happy with that and know that you will be part of the Navys future leadership.
FC1(SW) Dohnal