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NHB Provides Sailors Info with Medical Commissioning Programs Symposium
Story Number: NNS130613-17
6/13/2013

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Evans Coyle-Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) held an inaugural Medical Commissioning Programs Symposium, that provided extensive information on the Navy's many officer commissioning opportunities in medical health science fields, June 11.

Subject matter experts provided multiple presentations on such programs as Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program for Nursing (MECP), Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) program with an emphasis in Nursing, Dental and Medical school commissioning pathways, as well as opportunities and information on a variety of scholarship programs including entrance to Medical Service Corps Inservice Procurement Program (MSC-IPP), the Uniformed Services University for the Health Sciences (USUHS), the Health Professionals Scholarship Program (HPSP) and the Naval Academy.

Lt. Cmdr. Carmelo Ayala, MECP presenter, NHB Internal Medicine Department, emphasized the importance of having a solid, well organized package when submitting for any Navy program.

"It's very important to come across as someone they want to have in their organization," said Ayala. "You need accurate transcripts and making sure everything is in order will get you that much closer to your commission."

Ayala, a prior enlisted deck seaman, stated an obvious perk is the substantial pay increase when both rank has been achieved as an officer and also as a college graduate.

"Once accepted into a commissioning program, there will be a lot of very hard work," said Ayala. "There's heavy class time and requirements testing your ability to prove you are officer caliber. It's very challenging. But once you accept your commission and put the time into advancing, the financial benefits are well worth the sacrifice."

The STA-21 program, popularized by former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Boorda, helps the Navy meet its officer goals while at the same time providing a path for excelling active-duty Sailors to receive their college education and become commissioned officers.

NHB Ensign Melissa Nagel, Multi-Service Nursing (MS-5) Inpatient Ward, was a former enlisted Electronics Technician 3rd Class. Nagel shared how she utilized the STA-21 program.

"It helps to have some prior college before you apply for STA-21," said Nagel. "This way you'll finish that much quicker with your diploma. Also, make sure you are utilizing your Navy Career Counselor at every aspect. From the interview process and other needed requirements this will ensure you're not missing any deadlines or cutoff dates. They have the knowledge and can help you so you don't have to wait for an additional year for something to open up again for example. Stay focused and you'll get where you want to be."

Hospitalman Corey Boles, recent Hospital Corpsman "A" school graduate, NHB Indoctrination Division, is ready for the future if he pursues an officer commissioning program.

"I was here all afternoon and the amount of information the presenters put out was impressive," said Boles. "Something like MECP or STA-21 might be perfect for me as I'm in the right demographic. I may look towards the University of Oregon or maybe a college here in Washington state that has a commissioning program. The commitment of service to the Navy would definitely be worth the education and commission."

For more news from Naval Hospital Bremerton, visit www.navy.mil/local/nhb/ .