What benefit is lost when a Sailor is selected for the Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) Program?

The correct answer indicates that Sailors selected for the Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) Program lose the benefit of Special Duty Assignment Pay. This is because STA-21 is designed to provide a pathway for enlisted personnel to become commissioned officers through a college education, during which they transition from their current enlisted roles.

While enrolled in this program, Sailors typically focus on their educational responsibilities and are no longer performing duties that qualify for special pay rates associated with specific duties or assignments. Special Duty Assignment Pay is often granted for assignments that require additional skills or come with increased responsibility, which can be diminished or eliminated once a Sailor transitions into a full-time student status under STA-21.

The program allows Sailors to maintain other benefits, such as housing allowances and hazardous duty pay, ensuring that their financial support isn't entirely diminished during their transition to becoming commissioned officers. Understanding this aspect of STA-21 helps illustrate the balance between pursuing educational advancement while recognizing the implications on certain special pay benefits.