Locating Military College Credits: How do I find my college credits earned from the military?

Suppose I've been doing some studying or training during my military service that could potentially carry college credit. How do I go about finding out what college credit I have earned through the military? Is there a record system or platform I should know about?

The United States military actually maintains a pretty comprehensive record of all your trainings and experiences during your service, and these can often be converted into college credits. To access this information, you'd typically be looking for your Joint Services Transcript (JST). The JST is a document that validates your military instructional experience with descriptions and the American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations.

The process of accessing your JST can vary depending on which branch of the military you served in. Generally, you'll need to request your transcript from your respective military branch's education portal.

For instance, if you served in the Army, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard, you can access your JST online via the official JST website. If you served in the Air Force, you'll need to request your transcript from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) instead. For the Space Force, currently, the transcripts will still be dealt with by the Community College of the Air Force until they establish their own system.

Once you've obtained your JST, you can then submit it to the college or university you're interested in. The school's admissions office or registrar will evaluate it to determine how many of your military experiences can be translated into college credits.

Keep in mind that the way colleges award credit can vary greatly. While some schools might grant you a significant number of credits, others might give fewer, depending on your role, specific training, the school's policies, and the degree you're pursuing. It might be beneficial to contact your school's veteran service center or admissions office if you need more specific guidance. They can often provide more detailed information and assistance tailored to their specific processes and policies.