The document discusses several United States Navy commissioning programs that provide opportunities for enlisted sailors to become commissioned officers. It describes the Seaman to Admiral-21 program, which allows sailors to apply for a college degree program and receive tuition assistance and pay while in school. It also discusses other programs like the United States Naval Academy, Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program, Officer Candidate School, Chief Warrant Officer program, and others. The document provides eligibility requirements, benefits, and details about each program.

1. 1
Commissioning
Programs
Career Development Training
Course

2. 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. 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. 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. 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. Reference Publications (cont.)
• Seaman to Admiral-21
• https://www.sta-21.navy.mil
• Medical Service Corps IPP and MECP
• http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navmedmpte
• Officer Candidate School
• http://www.ocs.navy.mil
• Naval Academy
• http://www.usna.edu/homepage.php
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7. Programs Leading to a
Commission
• Purpose:
• Provide opportunities for enlisted personnel to obtain a
commission in the U.S. Navy.
• Programs:
• 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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8. Eligibility 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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9. Eligibility Requirements
• 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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10. Eligibility Requirements
• Testing:
• OCS - Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR)
• AOCS - Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB)
• Math/Verbal (MVT)
• Mechanical Comprehension Test (MCT)
• USNA/STA-21/MECP - SAT/ACT
• LSAT -Law School Admission Test
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11. 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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12. 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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13. Commissioning Programs That REQUIRE
a College Degree to Apply
• Officer Candidate School (OCS)
• Medical Service Corps In-Service
Procurement Program (MSC IPP)
• Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps In-
Service Procurement Program (IPP)
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14. Programs That DO NOT Require or
Provide a College Degree
• Chief Warrant Officer (CWO)
• Limited Duty Officer (LDO)
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15. Seaman to Admiral – 21 (STA-21)
OPNAVINST 1420.1, Chapter 8, Appendix G
• Consolidated the NROTC, 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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16. 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 or higher on PFA in last year. (no waivers)
• 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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17. 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
• Oceanography
• Medical Corps (MC)
• Human resources (HR) option
• Explosive Ordinance Disposal
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18. 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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19. 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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20. STA-21 Pay and Allowances
(cont.)
• Participants in the STA-21 Program will not:
• Be eligible for TA OR MGIB 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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21. 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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22. 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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23. 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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24. 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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25. 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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26. 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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27. 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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28. 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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29. OCS Eligibility Requirements and
Benefits
• 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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30. OCS Available Designators
• Pilot
• Naval Flight Officer
• Surface Warfare
• Surface Nuclear
• Submarine
• Supply Corps
• Special Warfare
• Explosive Ordinance
• Disposal
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• Intelligence
• Aviation Maintenance
Duty Officer (AMDO)
• Civil Engineer Corps
(CEC)
• Surface Warfare
Officer (SWO)
• SWO (Nuclear)

31. 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

32. 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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33. CWO Eligibility
• Must be a CPO (E7 to E9), including a PO1
selected for CPO.
• Must have at least 14, but not more than 21
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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34. 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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35. LDO Eligibility
• Must be a PO1 or CPO or SCPO.
• Must have at least 8, but not more than 14 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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36. 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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37. Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps In-
Service Procurement Program (IPP)
• JAGC-IPP PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION 111A
• The JAGC IPP provides outstanding, career-
motivated enlisted personnel of all ratings, who
meet the eligibility criteria, the opportunity to
earn a commission in the JAGC.
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38. JAGC – IPP Eligibility
• Paygrades E-5 through E-7 at the time of the
application.
• Applicants must have served on active-duty for a period
of no less than 2 years and no more than 10 years at the
time the applications are due.
• Members of the individual ready reserve or serving on
active-duty for special work, active duty for training, or
one-to-three year recalls are not eligible for this
program.
• See most recent NAVADMIN on amplifying education
information for that FY’s board.
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39. Summary and Review
• What programs did the STA-21 program
consolidate?
• Which commissioning programs are non-US
citizens eligible to apply?
• What are the age eligibility requirements for
MECP?
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40. 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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