Thank you so much for such a in depth response.
However, this; http://navyformoms.com/group/sta21ecp/forum/topics/sta21-how-to says that students must have some college experience already. As I said before, I’m 23 and I will be starting college next year (if things go as planned) with no prior experience at all, and I mean not a lick of experience.
So I should apply to a college (Auburn for me), earn some credits, then apply for the STA-21 program and complete the rest of my education within 36 months, and then I will be eligible to become an Officer, right?
And about it being harder to be accepted into the military… I really have no doubt I would give the officer program (or the military) my all. My grandfather served in the Navy during the Korean war, and when I was a child my brothers were in JROTC and would always (mock) PT with me and do rifle drills with me. So it’s been a dream of mine since I was a child. I wouldn’t just slack off (with grades or physical). I am not trying to downplay the difficulty in these programs (ROTC/STA-21), but I have no doubt that I would do great once actually in them.
I just want to ensure that the path I take gives me the chance to be an officer by the end of my education and by the time I enlist. And I realize that in order to be an officer I have to keep my grades high and be great in the program (ROTC or STA-21). And I accept that there’s no guarantee that either the ROTC or STA-21 programs will result with me being an Officer, I just want to make sure that the path I take gives me the possibility.
Like I said, I have no one I can talk to for college counseling so I have to rely on the internet.
Thanks again, you have no idea how much your comments have helped me.