The document provides information on various commissioning programs available to enlisted Navy personnel, including Seaman to Admiral-21 (STA-21), the United States Naval Academy, Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECP), Officer Candidate School (OCS), Chief Warrant Officer (CWO), Limited Duty Officer (LDO), and Medical Service Corps In-Service Procurement Program (MSC-IPP). It outlines the basic eligibility requirements, application procedures, and benefits of these programs.
2. Commissioning Programs
Enabling Objectives
Upon successful completion of this
topic, the trainee will be able to:
IDENTIFY the types of commissioning
programs and the sources of
information for these programs.
LIST the basic qualification
requirements needed to apply for any
commissioning program.
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3. Commissioning Programs
Enabling Objectives (cont.)
IDENTIFY the college degree
requirements for each commissioning
program.
IDENTIFY the components of the
Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) program,
including core requirements, options,
target groups, application procedures,
and pay and allowances.
IDENTIFY the purpose of the Naval
Academy Preparatory School.
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4. Commissioning Programs
Enabling Objectives (cont.)
IDENTIFY the benefits and eligibility
requirements for the following
commissioning programs:
United States Naval Academy
Medical Enlisted Commissioning
Program (MECP)
Officer Candidate School (OCS)
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO)
Limited Duty Officer (LDO)
Medical Service Corps (MSC) In-Service
Procurement Program (IPP)
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5. Commissioning Programs
Reference Publications
OPNAVINST 1420.1(series), Enlisted to
Officer Commissioning Programs
Application Administrative Manual
NAVPERS 15560, Navy Military
Personnel Manual
Most recent NAVADMIN messages for
commissioning programs
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6. Commissioning Programs
Reference Publications (cont.)
Seaman to Admiral-21
https://www.sta-21.navy.mil
Medical Service Corps IPP
http://navmedmpte.med.navy.mil/mscipp/
Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program
http://navmedmpte.med.navy.mil/mecp/
Naval Academy
http://www.usna.edu/homepage.php
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8. Commissioning Programs
Program Types
Seaman to Admiral-21 (STA-21)
United States Naval Academy and
Naval Academy Preparatory School
(NAPS)
Medical Enlisted Commissioning
Program (MECP)
Officer Candidate School (OCS)
Chief Warrant Officer/Limited Duty
Officer (CWO/LDO)
Medical Service Corps In-Service
Procurement Program (MSC-IPP)
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9. Commissioning Programs
Basic Requirements
OPNAVINST 1420.1
Citizenship:
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Cannot waive this requirement.
Physical and Vision:
Must be qualified IAW NAVMED P-117, Manual
of the Medical Department.
Must have normal color and depth
perception.
AOCS (A for aviation) applicants must have
at least 20/40 uncorrected vision correctable
to 20/20.
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10. Commissioning Programs
Basic Requirements (cont.)
Age:
All applicants for all programs must be
qualified under current references:
Varies by program
May be waived
Always check reference
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12. Commissioning Programs
Other Qualification Requirements
Be recommended by the CO
Be of good moral character
Have no NJPs within last 36 months
Have no courts-martial/civil
convictions
Have a security clearance
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13. Commissioning Programs
Commissioning Programs That
PROVIDE a College Degree
Seaman to Admiral - 21 (STA-21)
U.S. Naval Academy
Medical Enlisted Commissioning
Program (MECP)
Medical Service Corps In-Service
Procurement Program (MSC IPP)
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16. Commissioning Programs
Seaman to Admiral – 21 (STA-21)
OPNAVINST 1420.1, Chapter 8, Appendix G
Consolidated the NROTC (Fleet
Accessions), ECP, and STA.
Allows Sailors to apply to the core
program, target group option, or both.
Allows participants in the core program
the most flexibility in selecting a major
and requesting schools to attend.
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17. Commissioning Programs
STA-21 Core Program Requirements
Must be able to complete:
Degree by age 27:
Waivers may be granted up to age 29
Requirements for baccalaureate
degree in 36 months.
2 semesters of calculus and calculus-
based physics with a minimum grade
of 2.0.
Good high or better on PFA in last
year. (no waivers)
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18. Commissioning Programs
STA-21 Core Program Requirements
(cont.)
Must maintain a grade point average
of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Must pass medical standards IAW
NAVMED P-117, Manual of the
Medical Department, Chapter 15.
Incur a 5-year active duty obligation
upon commissioning.
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19. Commissioning Programs
STA-21 Program Options
STA-21 students in the core program will:
Be assigned an unrestricted line (URL)
Navy officer designator upon
commissioning.
Request URL designator in final year of
study. Naval Service Training Command
(NSTC) will select by officer community
goals.
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20. Commissioning Programs
STA-21 Program Options (cont.)
Sailors applying to the STA-21
program may apply:
To the STA-21 core program only, or
For one target group option only, or
For the STA-21 core program plus one
target group option.
Note: Applicants may not apply for more
than one target group option.
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21. Commissioning Programs
STA-21 Program Options (cont.)
STA-21 participants must meet
eligibility requirements of the Core
program AND the requirements for
desired target group option if
applying for both.
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22. Commissioning Programs
STA-21 Target Group Options
Nuclear (submarine & surface)
Pilot
Naval Flight Officer (NFO)
Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) w/multiple options
Special Duty Officer (Intel)
Special Duty Officer (Information Warfare)
Special Warfare (SPECWAR)
Civil Engineer Corps (CEC)
Supply Corps
Nurse Corps
Medical Corps (MC)
Human resources (HR) option
Explosive Ordinance Disposal
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23. Commissioning Programs
STA-21 Application Procedures
The STA-21 application is composed of two
parts:
Online: https://www.sta-21.navy.mil
Review statistical data
Check application status
Update application
Mail-In Portion:
Naval Service Training Command
ATTN OD2 (STA-21)
250 Dallas St Ste A
Pensacola FL 32508-5268
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24. Commissioning Programs
STA-21 Pay and Allowances
Participants in the STA-21 Program will:
Receive full pay and allowances and
benefits.
Be eligible for enlisted advancement.
Receive up to a $10,000 education
voucher per year paid directly to college
or university for tuition, books and fees.
Participate in a tailored preparatory
program.
Be allowed to attend school year-round.
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25. Commissioning Programs
STA-21 Pay and Allowances (cont.)
Participants in the STA-21 Program will
not:
Be eligible for TA OR MGIB OR VEAP
benefits.
Be eligible for Special Duty Assignment
Pay (SDAP).
Note: Some special pays may continue for
participants in the Special Warfare Option
as directed by the Officer Community
Manager.
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27. Commissioning Programs
Naval Academy Preparatory School
(NAPS)
OPNAVINST 1420.1, Chapter 3
Provides intensive instruction and
preparation for the academic, military,
and physical training curricula at the
Naval Academy.
Offered in a direct appointment to the
Naval Academy.
Has an age limit of 22 as of 1 July of
the entrance year.
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28. Commissioning Programs
United States Naval Academy (USNA)
OPNAVINST 1420.1, Chapter 3,
Appendix A, and MILPERSMAN Art
1531-010
Provides 4 years of college education
and naval training.
Results in a commission as an
Ensign, USN, in the Line/Restricted
Line/Staff Corps or as a Second
Lieutenant, USMC.
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29. Commissioning Programs
USNA Eligibility
Sailors must:
Be at least 17 years old and must not
have passed their 23rd birthday on 1
July of the entrance year.
Be unmarried, not pregnant, and have
no legal responsibility to support
others.
Have vision correctable to 20/20 and
normal color perception.
Attain SAT/ACT minimums: 1050 or 46
(combined). No more than 2 yrs old.
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30. Commissioning Programs
USNA Pay and Obligations
Students at the Naval Academy:
Are midshipmen, USN
Receive:
Midshipman pay (currently $864.70 per
month).
Free tuition, room, and board.
Must obligate 5 years of active duty
and 3 years of Reserve upon initial
appointment.
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31. Commissioning Programs
Medical Enlisted Commissioning
Program (MECP)
OPNAVINST 1420.1, Chapter 5, Appendix D
Provides up to 36 months of study at a
university having an accredited nursing
program.
Is open to all active duty enlisted
personnel.
Provides a full-time opportunity for
enlisted personnel to earn a baccalaureate
degree in nursing and a commission in the
Nurse Corps.
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32. Commissioning Programs
MECP Eligibility Requirements
Sailor must:
Be no more than 42 years old at commissioning.
Have no in-service drug or alcohol abuse or
felony conviction.
Have completed a minimum 30 semester hours
or 45 quarter hours in undergraduate
coursework with a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0
scale.
Attain SAT/ACT minimums: 1,000 or 42
(combined). No more than 3 yrs old.
Have applied for acceptance or transfer into a
nursing program at a nationally accredited
college.
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33. Commissioning Programs
MECP Features
Sailors:
Receive full pay and allowances while
attending college.
Must Pay for all tuition, books, and
fees, but may use VEAP or MGIB (Use
of TA is not authorized).
When possible, attend college within
50 miles of a Naval activity for
administrative purposes.
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34. Commissioning Programs
Officer Candidate School (OCS)
OPNAVINST 1420.1, Chapter 4, Appendix C
Is an initial commissioning program for
individuals possessing a minimum of a
baccalaureate degree from accredited
institution.
Applicants may choose, depending on
individual qualifications, designators
within the Unrestricted Line, Restricted
Line, and certain Staff Corps designators.
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35. Commissioning Programs
OCS Eligibility Requirements and
Benefits
Has age limits based on designator
(19 to 42).
Provides 12 weeks of officer candidate
indoctrination and training at Naval
Station Newport, Rhode Island.
E-4 and below applicants are
advanced to E-5 upon reporting to
OCS.
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37. Commissioning Programs
OCS Available Designators (cont.)
SWO ( EDO )
SWO Information Professional (IP)
SWO Information Warfare (IW)
SWO Oceanography (OCEANO)
Nuclear Power Instructor
Information Professional
Information Warfare
Public Affairs Officer
38. Commissioning Programs
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO)
OPNAVINST 1420.1, Chapter 7, Appendix F
MILPERSMAN 1100-040
Provides a path of advancement to officer
status for outstanding Chief Petty Officers
of the regular Navy and Naval Reserve on
active duty for performance of duty in the
technical field indicated by their enlisted
ratings.
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39. Commissioning Programs
CWO Eligibility
Must be a CPO (E7 to E9), including
a PO1 selected for CPO.
Must have at least 12, but not more
than 22 years of active duty service.
Have no NJPs, courts-martial, or
civilian felony convictions in last 36
months as of 1 Oct of the
application year.
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40. Commissioning Programs
Limited Duty Officer (LDO)
OPNAVINST 1420.1, Chapter 7, Appendix F
MILPERSMAN 1100-040
Provides an opportunity for appointment
to regular commissioned status for
selected warrant officer and senior
enlisted personnel for the performance of
duty in the broad occupational fields
indicated by their former warrant or
enlisted rating groups.
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41. Commissioning Programs
LDO Eligibility
Must be a PO1 or CPO (E-7 to E-9).
Must have at least 8, but not more
than 16 years of active duty service.
PO1 applicants:
Must be serving in that capacity for one
year as of 1 Oct of the application year.
Must meet advancement requirements for
E-7 except TIR and score high enough to
be selection board eligible on exam.
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42. Commissioning Programs
Medical Service Corps (MSC) In-Service
Procurement Program (IPP)
OPNAVINST 1420.1, Chapter 6, Appendix E
MILPERSMAN 1131-030
Is specifically intended to provide an
advancement pathway to commissioned
officer status for outstanding career-
motivated active duty enlisted personnel
who have significant Navy Medical
Department experience.
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43. Commissioning Programs
Summary and Review
What programs did the STA-21
program consolidate?
Can non-U.S. citizens apply for
commissioning programs?
What are the age eligibility
requirements for MECP?
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44. Commissioning Programs
Summary and Review (cont.)
Which commissioning programs
require a baccalaureate degree or
higher?
Which commissioning programs do
not require a college degree?
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