Enlisted personnel who apply, and are selected to directly convert to a commissioned officer will attend one of the first two classes (depending on their duty status) and will then take the followup LDO/CWO Academy.

The Limited Duty Officer/Chief Warrant Officer (LDO/CWO) Academy is a four-week course designed "develop newly commissioned LDO and CWO morally, mentally, and physically and imbue them with the highest ideals of honor, courage, and commitment in order to serve in the fleet as professional naval officers worthy of special trust and confidence.

All members selected for the STA-21 program will attend 8 weeks of Naval Science Institute (NSI) as an "Officer Candidate" prior to assignment at an NROTC unit for degree completion and commissioning.

The NSI course builds upon previous naval experience and is designed to teach each selectee the fundamental core concepts of officership and the high ideals of a military officer.

Upon completion of NSI, STA-21 selectees are then assigned to the NROTC unit for drill, physical training, and receive two courses in leadership prior to commissioning.