Final answer:
The STA-21 program comprises two main components: full-time undergraduate education, where sailors attend college to complete a bachelor's degree, and naval leadership training, which prepares them for commissioning as naval officers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Seaman to Admiral-21 (STA-21) program is a naval commissioning program that is designed to provide top-performing enlisted sailors an opportunity to gain a commission as a naval officer. This competitive program includes two main components: full-time undergraduate education and naval leadership training.
The first component, full-time undergraduate education, allows selected sailors to attend college full-time at a Navy-approved institution, working toward completing a bachelor's degree. During this component, program participants are also given a stipend to cover tuition, books, and other fees.
The second component, naval leadership training, ensures that participants receive the necessary leadership skills through Officer Candidate School (OCS) or direct commissioning programs upon completion of their degree, leading to a commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy.