I am an airman that is trying to fly!

[originalbigjim]

I have been lurking on this site for some time now and I have finally decided to post, I am an active duty AEAN stationed at AIMD Oceana. I have been going to college and taking clep and dantes exams since i got in 2 years ago. I have acquired 129 college credits, and an associates in applied technology with a concentration in electromechanics. I can get a bachelor's tomorrow if need be but it would be in liberal studies or interdisciplinary studies, in other words no major. In most of the instructions they do not say much about majors except that technology or engineering degrees are preferred. Is this the case while doing selection process, will i even be eligible with no major? I would really like to be an NFO or a pilot, i have bad eyes but i am on the waiting list for corrective surgery but i am like a class C and there is a year and a half waiting list, and being an airman i am not holding my breath for it to come any sooner. Should I wait and finish my major, apply for STA 21, or just get a no major degree? help me out guys, i am driving myself nuts trying to make a decision

 

[FMRAM]

I'll throw my vote in for STA-21...

 

[Cordespc]

I have been lurking on this site for some time now and I have finally decided to post, I am an active duty AEAN stationed at AIMD Oceana. I have been going to college and taking clep and dantes exams since i got in 2 years ago. I have acquired 129 college credits, and an associates in applied technology with a concentration in electromechanics. I can get a bachelor's tomorrow if need be but it would be in liberal studies or interdisciplinary studies, in other words no major. In most of the instructions they do not say much about majors except that technology or engineering degrees are preferred. Is this the case while doing selection process, will i even be eligible with no major? I would really like to be an NFO or a pilot, i have bad eyes but i am on the waiting list for corrective surgery but i am like a class C and there is a year and a half waiting list, and being an airman i am not holding my breath for it to come any sooner. Should I wait and finish my major, apply for STA 21, or just get a no major degree? help me out guys, i am driving myself nuts trying to make a decision

If your chain knows your aspirations, they may be more apt to reconsider your PRK priority. Try asking your chain to assign a Pri-2, and resubmit to NMCP. Use the proper channels (LPO, BCPO). Pri-2 was a 5 month wait for me, your mileage may vary. While you're waiting, continue plugging away on your degree, and apply to STA21 if you want. Depending on the college, be prepared to lose a lot of your CLEP credits, and credits awarded off your SMART transcript. If you go the STA21 route, it may be longer to degree completion than if you continued going part time. If you can get a degree in liberal arts tomorrow, why not do it, drop an OCS application and see what happens?

 

[Brett327]

Don't you have to major in something to get a degree, even if it's liberal studies? I would get your degree squared away and apply for OCS. There may be a slight advantage for selection if you have a technical degree, but I've got a feeling that whatever applied technology studies you've been doing probably doesn't qualify as a "hard science" or engineering degree as far as the Navy is concerned.

Brett

 

[originalbigjim]

do i even sound like a good candidate for sta 21? I am have no awards, and i only have been in the navy for 2 years and all of it has been shore duty. They only thing i did that is even worth mentioning is i did 7 months TAD to security. It seems like people who get picked up for sta-21 are e-5 and above and have a nice stack of ribbons to match their many sea tours. Maybe I am wrong but it sure does seem that way.

 

[scoober78]

Sustained, superior performance. Awards, as a recent thread discussed may or may not reflect this. IMHO from a military point of view, the most important thing for your package as a STA-21 are the command endorsements (CO's 1 out of 25 applicants etc..) and you evals. If you go to an STA-21 board with a not observed and an P or MP eval unless you are Orville Wright or Albert Einstein....your chances are low.

The best thing that you can do to get picked up as a STA-21 is ensure that your evals reflect that you are working hard, working above your paygrade, and have your #$%^ together. This generally means high command ratings. (1, 2, 3 out of 50 and or EP performance) If you have that and meet the other requirements, you have a good chance to be picked up...regardless of rate and awards.

Best of luck to you. Having been an E-3/E-4 looking ahead and thinking about getting where I am, I realize it can seem fairly impossible. You can get there provided you take it one step at a time. Excel at your current job, whatever it is. I cleaned many a head and waxed many a P-way as an E-3/4...ok 5 and 6 too....and you can't be good tomorrow if you aren't good today. As a junior guy, knock out as many quals as you can get your hands on. Look for qualifications open to you outside your rate...

Finally, don't forget that Big Navy is just a bunch of people. We all have that in common. Take care of people...both people who work for you and people who you work for. Good luck. Keep asking questions.

 

[blackjack_rj]

do i even sound like a good candidate for sta 21? I am have no awards, and i only have been in the navy for 2 years and all of it has been shore duty. They only thing i did that is even worth mentioning is i did 7 months TAD to security. It seems like people who get picked up for sta-21 are e-5 and above and have a nice stack of ribbons to match their many sea tours. Maybe I am wrong but it sure does seem that way.

Don't worry about all of that stuff. To be honest, the STA-21 board must not care too much about awards and time in service, because they picked me up. Yes, I'm an E5, but I have no awards and I have been in for just over 2 years. I'm just now starting my second row of ribbons, and they are all "man-made." If you look in your own division, you will see that an ATAN got picked up as well. He is a 3rd class now, but he was selected as an Airman. I think the fact that you have so many college credits will be enough in your selection (also having good merit and other things will help). If you would like to see what they are looking for, I will give you a copy of my package. I'll be at AIMD (or FRC) Oceana till May, so PM me and we can get together to talk about it. Also talk to LT Scott, who is over all of the programs. If being an Officer is what you want to do, then do it and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

If you are not worried about experiencing the whole "college experience," then I would say finish your degree however it is you are doing it, and apply to OCS 6 months after your PRK. I just had PRK, as well, and they told me I was just able to make it, so make sure you pay attention to that. Medical here SUCKS, and it doesn't seem like they know too much. Any, let me know if you need anything.

 

[originalbigjim]

Don't worry about all of that stuff. To be honest, the STA-21 board must not care too much about awards and time in service, because they picked me up. Yes, I'm an E5, but I have no awards and I have been in for just over 2 years. I'm just now starting my second row of ribbons, and they are all "man-made." If you look in your own division, you will see that an ATAN got picked up as well. He is a 3rd class now, but he was selected as an Airman. I think the fact that you have so many college credits will be enough in your selection (also having good merit and other things will help). If you would like to see what they are looking for, I will give you a copy of my package. I'll be at AIMD (or FRC) Oceana till May, so PM me and we can get together to talk about it. Also talk to LT Scott, who is over all of the programs. If being an Officer is what you want to do, then do it and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

If you are not worried about experiencing the whole "college experience," then I would say finish your degree however it is you are doing it, and apply to OCS 6 months after your PRK. I just had PRK, as well, and they told me I was just able to make it, so make sure you pay attention to that. Medical here SUCKS, and it doesn't seem like they know too much. Any, let me know if you need anything.

I diffently think i will take you up on that offer.

 

[originalbigjim]

do you think it would be more benificial for me to apply to ocs or to go STA 21? I almost done with a degree in poli sci from excelsior, but I would like to be competive, which one has better odds of getting picked up, i would imangine that there is more openings for ocs....

 

[Brett327]

do you think it would be more benificial for me to apply to ocs or to go STA 21? I almost done with a degree in poli sci from excelsior, but I would like to be competive, which one has better odds of getting picked up, i would imangine that there is more openings for ocs....

STA-21 is designed for people who have little or no college. Your best bet is to get your degree and apply to OCS.

Brett

 

[FMRAM]

STA-21 is designed for people who have little or no college. Your best bet is to get your degree and apply to OCS.

Brett

Finishing his degree would be the quickest route, but if it were me, I would apply for STA-21 as well. Just another egg in the basket and in case he isn't accepted for OCS. Lots of credit is not a requirement for STA-21 but it does help. I had 112 credits when I was picked up...

 

[Brett327]

Finishing his degree would be the quickest route, but if it were me, I would apply for STA-21 as well. Just another egg in the basket and in case he isn't accepted for OCS. Lots of credit is not a requirement for STA-21 but it does help. I had 112 credits when I was picked up...

True, although I wonder if the people on the board might look at his transcripts and say, "Hey, this guy is three classes away from graduating, let's give his slot to someone who could benefit more from the program." I have no idea if that logic would be used, but it can't hurt to apply.

Brett

 

[FMRAM]

True, although I wonder if the people on the board might look at his transcripts and say, "Hey, this guy is three classes away from graduating, let's give his slot to someone who could benefit more from the program." I have no idea if that logic would be used, but it can't hurt to apply.

Brett

I'm sure that isn't the case. In essence that logic would actually be punishing guys that are plugging away college in thier off-time. Keep in mind that STA-21 OCs have to complete two semesters each of Calc and Physics, which almost has to be taken one class at a time. I'll have a triple major before I leave thanks to the math requirement!

 

[Brett327]

I'm sure that isn't the case. In essence that logic would actually be punishing guys that are plugging away college in thier off-time. Keep in mind that STA-21 OCs have to complete two semesters each of Calc and Physics, which almost has to be taken one class at a time. I'll have a triple major before I leave thanks to the math requirement!

I took Math for dummies as I laughed at my OC buddies.

Brett

 

[FMRAM]

I took Math for dummies as I laughed at my OC buddies.

Brett

I hate you.