Has anyone (those of us non-selects, particularly those of us that had ZERO selectees) thought about contacting the STA-21 folks and asking some questions? I've written an e-mail to Mr. Straten several times over in my head. I just want to know why. I want to know if I should waste my time again for FY14. I really have been trying to be optomistic, but I'm struggling to see a future for myself in STA-21. I could handle being beat out by the better candidate, even if it was only one like last year, but for them not to select a single person is tough to swallow.
I'm wondering how long before STA-21 just comes out and says that it is a commisioning program for NUKES only...
You are trying to get info that is way over Mr Straten's paygrade, he is most likely a GS5 maybe a GS7, so that is equivilant of asking a PO2 about info that is made at the O-6 to O-10? probably O-9 level and these are decisions that don't get made until after applications are already being submitted. It is easier for them to make up down the road then figure out how to deal with excess.
Here is some advice, if you number one goal is to be a USN officer, then apply to the program for which you are qualified that gives you the best shot. If you are stuck on job type then make that decision and live with it.
A person could be the most qualified out of the 600+ candidates that apply and eligible to apply for every designator, but if that person made the choice to apply to a designator that had a low number of selections that went to 0 this year that is how the cookie crumbles.
The person who is restricted due to age or other limiting factors are the ones I feel really get the short end of the stick.
When it comes down to it keep working on your degree, then apply to OCS, be one of those guys that makes up the shortages.