Final answer:
STA-21 applicants must be able to complete their degree requirements and be commissioned by the age of 42, aligning with service obligations and retirement policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Seaman to Admiral-21 (STA-21) program is a U.S. Navy commissioning program that enables selected enlisted personnel to attain a commission as a U.S. Navy Officer. Applicants must meet various requirements, including age limitations. Specifically, STA-21 applicants must be able to complete degree requirements and be commissioned by the age of 42. This age requirement ensures that officers have sufficient time to fulfill the mandatory service obligations that come with a commission before reaching mandatory retirement ages.