Turning Military School Training into College Credit

Hey there! I've completed some pretty extensive military school training, which I've heard can be converted to college credit. Anyone else managed to successfully convert their training into credits? If so, could you share some helpful tips and tricks on the process?

Certainly! Many colleges and universities recognize the rigorous training and education that servicemembers receive in the military by offering college credit for military training. Here are a few key steps to get the process started:

1. Request your Joint Services Transcript (JST): This document is the official transcript for Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard personnel that validates military experiences and courses for college credits according to ACE guidelines. Keep in mind, for Air Force personnel you'll need to obtain a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript instead.

2. Contact the admissions office of your prospective school: It's important to have a conversation with the institution's admissions office or perhaps the office of veteran services if there is one. They would be familiar with the process of translating military training into college credits and can guide you with specific institutional procedures.

3. Submit your transcript: Once you have your JST or CCAF transcript, submit it along with your application material. The admissions department will evaluate the transcript and decide how many and which credits they are willing to accept.

4. Follow Up: After submitting your transcript, follow up with the university to make sure it was received and to find out about any decisions or processes that you should be aware of.

Remember, the acceptance of military training as college credit can vary extensively from one institution to another. It can depend on the school's policies, your course of study, and how the skills you've learned in the military align with your academic goals. Some schools may offer credit towards elective courses, while others might allow credits for major-specific courses depending on the relevance of your military training.

For example, if you were in an engineering battalion and are pursuing an engineering degree, you might find a considerable amount of your training being applicable to your degree. On the other hand, if you're majoring in a completely unrelated field, you may receive fewer credits.

Good luck with your transition to higher education and thank you for your service!