Newly-enrolled student Lisa Lee sits in her classroom surrounded by these “tormented” students, with the comfort of knowing that she doesn’t have to face many of those challenges. But then again, Lee is not an ordinary student.
Last year Lisa Lee was Operations Specialist 1st Class Lee. She was assigned to OI division aboard USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), navigating the guided-missile destroyer through international waters, carrying out the Navy’s mission. Now she’s navigating her way toward a college degree and commission through the Navy’s Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) program.
In 2004, Lee applied to STA-21 and was selected to be an officer candidate. Each year STA-21 gives selected Sailors the opportunity to attend college, while still receiving full pay and allowances for their enlisted pay grades. They also receive up to $10,000 a year toward tuition, fees and books and have 36 months to complete their degree.
“The goal of the program is to provide our highly-motivated, active-duty personnel with an opportunity to obtain their undergraduate degree and become commissioned as naval officers,” said LT Doug Johnson, STA-21 selection and placement officer. “Our mission here within Officer Development Lifelines is to select, train and produce the highest quality of naval officers.
“In FY05 we selected 186 candidates for the STA-21 program,” added Johnson. “In FY06, that number will increase to 207. The program is getting more and more competitive each year. Selection boards are looking for the cream of the crop, those top-notch Sailors who go above and beyond their normal duties and do everything within their power to stand out from the pack.”
Either it’s the maturity and focus that the 25 year-old Lee harnessed while growing up in Lancaster, Va., or the professionalism that earned her the respect of her shipmates aboard Winston S. Churchill. Whichever it is, Lee definitely stood out.
Lee exudes a confidence and seriousness that lets you know she has no problem putting forth every effort to achieve her goals. And for the six-year Navy veteran, earning her degree while in the Navy was always one of those goals.
The soft-spoken Lee seems to communicate her thoughts with her eyes as well as her voice. It’s her straight-forward way of always telling you what you need to know at that time, which is the first indicator she could be a great leader.
“Honestly, I always wanted to continue my education,” Lee said. “The first time I saw the program was in a Navy magazine. I thought it was good because they would send me to school and pay for it. But at the same time, I would still be getting my regular pay. I thought that would be better than trying to stay active duty and take classes here and there, because you don’t have as much time to do that.
“I never really worried about being accepted or not, because I learned when I was growing up to always do the best I can and go for whatever I wanted,” Lee continued. “It was instilled in me when I was growing up by my parents. My mom always taught me to go for it, whatever it was.”
Her mom’s advice carried Lee through the application process, a series of interviews and evaluations from the very officers and commanders she aspired to be. From Lee’s reputation aboard Winston S. Churchill, it was obvious she was exactly what STA-21 was looking for Sailors who would take advantage of this educational opportunity then return to the fleet as extraordinary leaders.
“When [Lee]first checked on board, I was very impressed with her,” said LCDR Steven R. Marshall, Winston S. Churchill’s supply officer. “On a small ship, you can always tell who the hot-runners are. I noticed that her bosses always went to her for the answers. And those are the kind of things that get your attention. So I had already recognized her potential.”
