exNavyOffRec
Well-Known Member
I have to disagree. STA-21 and LDO/CWO are both very applicant friendly. Each has thorough checklists, examples, and FAQs, not to mention POCs on NAVADMINS. The Officer’s job is not to do the work for the applicant but point them in the right direction. If a person can’t put in the effort to read the directions and do the leg work, why should the command waste its time to “yeomanize” it and endorse them?
Point being, the Officer is not to do the work, just point the Sailor in the right direction. As my skipper told me when I informed him of my intent to drop my first STA-21 package, “I am not, nor will anyone else in my command, hold your hand. If you want this, prove it. Putting together a quality package shows your commitment/desire and ability to actually figure out how to follow Naval instructions on your own.”
Based on previous posts in this thread, OCS/ODS (medical) would be the only programs an officer would have to really dig into in order to be an effective resource for the Sailors. But even that wouldn’t take too long to figure out, maybe a package or two. This isn’t rocket science.
I did not say the officer is doing the work, he has to understand the programs and requirements to guide people in what they are doing.
The officer who is the point of contact also has to understand the programs so when the applications are reviewed for accuracy they know they are indeed correct, do you know how many times applications have been submitted to NRC on sailors that didn't even meet the requirements? I have had sailors ask me why they couldn't submit for CEC with a history degree, or didn't understand why they were denied even thought they were 5 years over the age limit? It is because the officer who was the point of contact gave bad advice by not knowing the program requirements and saying "that doesn't apply if you are active duty", or didn't review the application and kick it back to the sailor for corrections, but instead just pushed it up for signature and then submitted to NRC, the CO is putting their signature on that application relying on people to do the work correctly.