Can Military Training Correlate to College Credits?

Hi folks! Potential Army recruit here. I'm planning to join the military but I've heard that some training in the military can actually be used as credit towards a college degree in the future. Can anyone help me understand how this correlation works, which types of training are typically correlated, and which colleges might be most accepting of these credits?

Hello! Absolutely, many college institutions across the US will grant you college credits for your military training. It's an excellent way for servicemen and women to get a head start on their academic journey while serving.

The American Council on Education (ACE), works closely with the Department of Defense (DoD) to review military training and experiences, in order to recommend appropriate college credit for members of the Armed Forces. The ACE's Military Guide has an extensive list of military courses that have been evaluated for college credit.

To see how your military training could translate into academic credits, you would need to submit a Joint Services Transcript (JST). The JST provides a detailed record of your military occupational experience and training history, including ACE credit recommendations. The obtained JST should be submitted to colleges you are considering for enrollment.

That being said, it's important to note acceptance of these credits is at the discretion of the educational institution. Generally, many public universities and community colleges are more likely to accept military training as college credit, while highly selective institutions may not. However, more than 2,300 colleges and universities recognize these transcripts as official documentation of military training and experiences and applicable ACE credit recommendations.

In terms of what kind of training would be considered for college credit, it varies by branch and MOS (Military Occupational Specialty). For instance, a medical or technical role in the military might receive credit for science or engineering courses.

Here's a quick rundown:

The Army typically uses the Army American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) for evaluating military experiences. The Navy and Marines use the Sailor/Marine ACE Registry Transcript (SMART), while the Air Force uses the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) system.

I'd suggest researching more about ACE listed courses, and discussing your desired academic path with your military education officer, as they can guide you on leveraging your military training for academic credits. Hope that helps you in your journey!