LDO vs STA21?

[mizzyung]

Hello, I've been searching the forum trying to find a post that may be of assistance but having no such luck. I'm just looking for basically the pros and cons for both LDO and STA21 in order to compare the two to make a decision on which is a better choice. I know somewhat about STA21 but am unfamiliar with the LDO path. Any input on either one would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[SA82]

Limited Duty Officer selection is based more on being a technical expert in a sailor's field. Experience is what a selection board looks at when making their decisions.

Its covered in OPNAVINST 1420.1b:
http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/52D8E8AC-D637-4DA2-8EF8-4ED86D39DCBE/0/14201B.pdf


For LDO: active duty personnel must have completed at least 8, but not more than 16 years of active Naval Service.

E6 applicants must complete all eligibility requirements for E7 (except TIR and Leadership Training Continuum (LTC)) and must successfully compete in the annual Navy-wide examination for advancement to CPO, receiving a final multiple equal to, or greater than, the minimum final multiple for E7 selection board eligibility.

The LDO selects that I know had orders to become officers aboard ships and subs that were about to go into the shipyard. They became the maintenance coordinators for their crew. Acting as a liaison between the yard officers and the ship's CO.

I have seen a lot of LDOs working at shipyards for their shore duty tours. For Nuke LDOs, their technical expertise is valued greatly at shipyards.

[Cycoticpenguin]

Seeing as your husband is inelligable for LDO yet, heres a good place to start

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,25930.new.html#new

[Gamecock]

Limited Duty Officer selection is based more on being a technical expert in a sailor's field. Experience is what a selection board looks at when making their decisions.

Its covered in OPNAVINST 1420.1b:
http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/52D8E8AC-D637-4DA2-8EF8-4ED86D39DCBE/0/14201B.pdf


For LDO: active duty personnel must have completed at least 8, but not more than 16 years of active Naval Service.

E6 applicants must complete all eligibility requirements for E7 (except TIR and Leadership Training Continuum (LTC)) and must successfully compete in the annual Navy-wide examination for advancement to CPO, receiving a final multiple equal to, or greater than, the minimum final multiple for E7 selection board eligibility.

The LDO selects that I know had orders to become officers aboard ships and subs that were about to go into the shipyard. They became the maintenance coordinators for their crew. Acting as a liaison between the yard officers and the ship's CO.

I have seen a lot of LDOs working at shipyards for their shore duty tours. For Nuke LDOs, their technical expertise is valued greatly at shipyards.

As an aside, I think every good junior first class should put an LDO application in whether they want to become an LDO or not because it allows them a "free" chance to take the CPO exam prior to actually being eligible.

[mizzyung]

As an aside, I think every good junior first class should put an LDO application in whether they want to become an LDO or not because it allows them a "free" chance to take the CPO exam prior to actually being eligible.

That is a very good point...thanks everyone

[Cycoticpenguin]

As an aside, I think every good junior first class should put an LDO application in whether they want to become an LDO or not because it allows them a "free" chance to take the CPO exam prior to actually being eligible.

still needs 2 years payed e-6. He's not payed yet.

[mizzyung]

still needs 2 years payed e-6. He's not payed yet.

Yeah, but he still has 4 years here and will only be 24 by then so the clock isn't ticking against him or anything. This has just been a debate for like the past year when everyone started pressuring him to go Sta21

[Cycoticpenguin]

Yeah, but he still has 4 years here and will only be 24 by then so the clock isn't ticking against him or anything. This has just been a debate for like the past year when everyone started pressuring him to go Sta21

If he wants officer, STA-21 at this point will be faster and he will be an unrestricted line officer and could command a ship if he wanted to. He would be better off speaking to his career counselors, not to mention, LDO's and STA21 officers in person to get an idea as well.  As gamecock mentioned, the real benefit of LDO is you can take the chief exam early to get experience on it.

[still_in]

One thing to keep in mind with STA-21 now that your spouse is not part of the training pipeline is that he can no longer apply for the Nuke option. This may hurt his selection chances as it is much easier to get picked up Nuke as a Nuke than to get picked up for options outside rates.

[MMM]

I would say, unless he wants to be a nuke officer, apply for STA-21. At worst, he doesn't get selected, at best, he does. When he's eligible for LDO, if he's still interested, apply for that as well.

As a side note, either way, he should start taking college courses now (if he hasn't already). If he gets a degree before being accepted to STA-21, then he can apply for OCS.

[mizzyung]

One thing to keep in mind with STA-21 now that your spouse is not part of the training pipeline is that he can no longer apply for the Nuke option.

WHat do you mean?

[mizzyung]

I would say, unless he wants to be a nuke officer, apply for STA-21. At worst, he doesn't get selected, at best, he does. When he's eligible for LDO, if he's still interested, apply for that as well.

As a side note, either way, he should start taking college courses now (if he hasn't already). If he gets a degree before being accepted to STA-21, then he can apply for OCS.

Thank you...he has mentioned OCS as well

[still_in]

One thing to keep in mind with STA-21 now that your spouse is not part of the training pipeline is that he can no longer apply for the Nuke option.

WHat do you mean?

"Enlisted Source: Due to the high priority of nuclear officer recruiting, a specific number of STA-21 seats are reserved for enlisted personnel who have successfully completed or are enrolled in the nuclear power training pipeline. The only applicants eligible to apply for this option are those who are currently:

enrolled in Naval Nuclear Power School (NAVNUPWRSCOL) or Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit (NAVNUPWRTRAU); or
assigned to NAVNUPWRTRAU or Fleet Interactive Display Equipment (FIDE) Trainer as staff pickup instructors or sea returnee instructors."

Thats directly from the STA-21 website. Eligible for other options in STA-21 just not Nuke.

[Gamecock]

"Enlisted Source: Due to the high priority of nuclear officer recruiting, a specific number of STA-21 seats are reserved for enlisted personnel who have successfully completed or are enrolled in the nuclear power training pipeline. The only applicants eligible to apply for this option are those who are currently:

enrolled in Naval Nuclear Power School (NAVNUPWRSCOL) or Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit (NAVNUPWRTRAU); or
assigned to NAVNUPWRTRAU or Fleet Interactive Display Equipment (FIDE) Trainer as staff pickup instructors or sea returnee instructors."

Thats directly from the STA-21 website. Eligible for other options in STA-21 just not Nuke.

He can always apply for "core" and still go nuclear after commissioning.

[still_in]

He can always apply for "core" and still go nuclear after commissioning.

Thanks GC, meant applying for nuclear option.

[mizzyung]

Thank you everyone. Inputting all this info into my personal database to discuss with him later. All is appreciated.