Hi everyone. I was wondering, can you get college credits through military basic training? If so, how does that work?
Absolutely, it is possible to earn college credits from military training programs, including basic training. The American Council on Education (ACE) works with the Department of Defense (DoD) to review military training and experience for potential college credit. The credits you can earn depend on your specific training, job specialty, and branch of service.
Here's how the process works:
1. ACE conducts a rigorous evaluation of the courses provided by military training programs. They then assign proper academic credit to these courses based on the level of learning required, the duration, and the skills developed.
2. After you complete your military training, you will receive a Joint Service Transcript (JST). This document is an official educational transcript that records all your military coursework, occupations, and job positions held during your service. The JST lists the ACE recommendations for college credits.
3. Once you are ready to attend college (during or after your service), you can submit your JST to your selected institution. Keep in mind that whether these credits are accepted or how they are applied is ultimately up to each individual college's policies.
4. The institution will then evaluate your JST. Some institutions have a Veterans Affairs office that can help guide this process.
It's crucial to remember that the credit-granting policy varies from college to college. Some may be quite generous in accepting military training credits, while others may limit the number of credits they accept or only accept certain types of courses or training.
If you know which colleges you're interested in, I'd suggest reaching out to the registrar's office or the office of veteran's affairs (if they have one). They can provide information about their policy and any advice about maximizing the credits you can receive from your military service.
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