Ronald Reagan encourages Sailors to apply to the Seaman to Admiral Program (STA-21)

WATERS SOUTH OF JAPAN, USS RONALD REAGAN, AT SEA

11.24.2015

Courtesy Story

USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76)   

WATERS SOUTH OF JAPAN – Sailors aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Adm. J. M. Boorda, the 25th chief of naval operations and the first enlisted Sailor to rise through the ranks to hold the highest military position in the U.S. Navy.

The U.S. Navy’s Seaman to Admiral Commissioning Program (STA-21) gives all qualified, enlisted Sailors a chance to get a college education and be commissioned as a Naval officer.

“Arguably STA-21 is the best program in the Navy due to the fact that you can continue to be in an active duty status and receive $10,00 a year for books and tuition,” said Lt. Thomas J. Franklin, Ronald Reagan’s STA-21 programs officer and STA-21 program graduate.

According to Franklin, staying in an active duty status while being a full-time student at a university has many benefits.

“The Navy is fronting the bill for Sailors to go to school and still get paid while they study,” said Franklin. “Sailors will be getting their basic pay, basic allowance for housing and other allowances that they’re entitled to as an active duty Sailor.”

Franklin added that Sailors can still advance to the next enlisted rank while working on a degree.

“In my case I was an E-5 when I started my transition at the Naval Science Institute course, which is an officer indoctrination held before being sent to college,” said Franklin. “I was allowed to take the advancement exam and made E-6 while I was in school and in training status.”

According to Franklin, the Navy is looking for motivated Sailors who can complete their degree within three years, which is a requirement for the program.

“This is a very competitive program that accepts 50 candidates nation wide,” said Franklin. “You need to be an top-notch ‘early-promotion’ Sailor with a decent amount of college credits completed.”

According to Lt. j.g. Aboubakrine Sene, Ronald Reagan’s educational services officer, the average acceptance rate is about 12 percent each year.

“Sailors should start the application early because this is one of the toughest programs in the Navy to get into,” said Sene. “There are so many requirements such as interviews, personal statements and an endorsement from the commanding officer. I’m available if Sailors have more questions or need advice.”

Ronald Reagan and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 11.24.2015
• Date Posted: 11.25.2015 06:51
• Story ID: 182825
• Location: WATERS SOUTH OF JAPAN, USS RONALD REAGAN, AT SEA