STA-21

STA-21 or Seaman to Admiral - 21 is a United States Navy commissioning program, designed to enable active-duty sailors to get a college degree and become commissioned officers.

[1] Seaman to Admiral was previously one of several different paths for active-duty sailors to become commissioned officers.

The diversity of programs lacked uniformity in benefits, selection procedures, educational opportunities, and program requirements, and created a confusing system of program applications, deadlines, and options for fleet applicants which was complex for the Navy to manage and administer.

[3] The STA-21 commissioning program is designed to allow active-duty sailors with high ability to gain a college education and become commissioned officers in the unrestricted line (URL), special duty officer (intelligence), special duty officer (cryptologic warfare, formerly information warfare and cryptologist), nurse corps (NC), nuclear, supply corps (SC), civil engineer corps (CEC), explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), or SEALs.

All STA-21 Officer Candidates report to the Naval Science Institute before going to their assigned college.