STA-21 at Penn State
The STA-21 Program at PSU will be in accordance with CNET policies. See CNET’s STA-21 web page or call for more information.
850-452-4941 ext 306
Specifically, all STA-21 Officer Candidates, at PSU NROTC, will be expected to meet the following guidelines:
Class Attendance
- Students shall attend all scheduled classes unless excused by the PNS for sufficient excuse.
- Class attendance is mandatory regardless of any university policy permitting excused class “cuts”
Military Instruction and Drill
- The PNS may integrate STA OCs into the battalion as far as is practical and consistent with the necessity for the accelerated completion of degree requirements
- The PNS will require STA OCs to participate in weekly drills in conjunction with the NROTC battalion
- STA OCs are required to attend GMT sessions, as scheduled by the NROTC unit.
- The STA OCs are required to attend ceremonies and battalion events as directed by the PNS
- STA OCs are subjected to random urinalysis screening
Physical Standards/Fitness
- All STA OCs must maintain physical standards required for appointment to commissioned grade
- STA OCs are required to pass PFA
- Failure to meet standards will result in being placed on probation for no longer than two semesters
Academic Performance
- Students are required to keep a GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (3.0 for NECP’s)
Academic Probation
STA OCs shall be placed on probation, regardless of their academic standing with the university for any of the following reasons:
- Failure of a single course
- Unsatisfactory semester average
- GPA below C+ during a single term (3.0 for NECP’s)
- Incomplete grades
- Failure to carry a full course load
Removal from Probation
- A failure thus corrected removes the probationary status imposed in accordance with the preceding points
- An appropriate OPMIS entry should be made
Unsatisfactory Academic Performance
STA OCs shall be considered academically unsat and subject to disenrollment, regardless of their academic status with the university for any of the following reasons:
- Failure of second course
- Unsat Cumulative Average-falls below C+ (3.0 for NECP’s)
- Failure to Carry a full Course Load-second failure to carry a full course load
- Failure to attend classes
Unsatisfactory Performance other than Academic
- Poor Commissioning Potential - The PNS should exercise every reasonable possibility of correcting minor shortcomings before recommending that STA OCs be disenrolled
- Poor individual performance
- Willful failure of a course, failure to take a final exam
- Performance review board
Leave of Absence
- PNS may recommend a LOA for an STA OC when circumstances necessitate a temporary removal from the academic environment due to medical or other issues
- The PNS will coordinate with CNET for LOA approval
Academic Honors
- A memo shall be sent to CNET at the end of each semester to report various honors received by students
Disciplinary Matters
- The PNS shall request university authorities to refer any matter of a disciplinary action involving a STA student to the PNS immediately.
- STA OCs are subject to MCM and UCMJ
Leave
- All STA students shall be granted leave in accordance with current Navy regulations
Transfers
- STA OCs may not attend a branch campus
Advancement in Rate
- Although considered OCs for all other purposes, students retain their enlisted status for purposes of pay and advancement and are eligible for advancement in rate in accordance with established procedures.
Performance Evaluation
- All students shall be evaluated as set forth in BUPERSINST 1616.10 if an evaluation is needed for advancement; otherwise, STA OCs will receive a “not observes”
- The PNS or XO shall sign all STA petty officer evals
- Copies of Unsat evals shall be forwarded to CNET
Precommissioning Physical Examinations
- The precommissioning physical will also serve as the basis for transfer to OCS
Wearing the Uniform
- STA OCs will receive uniforms while attached to NSI.
Off-Duty Employment
- STA OCs are discouraged from seeking outside employment
- Students are on active duty in a 24-hour duty status
Summer Program
- STA OCs shall remain on campus for the regular summer session and will be enrolled full time in all available summer sessions
Designator Selections
- STA OCs will complete designator selection procedures, consistent with those established for the NROTC battalion