I've just enlisted but want to work on my education while I serve. Can someone help me understand how I get a transcript for the college credits I've earned in the military? What's the process like, and who do I need to go to to get this done?
Sure, I'd be happy to help you understand the process. The United States military utilizes a system known as the Joint Services Transcript (JST) to document a military person's professional military education, training, and occupation experiences. This transcript also includes corresponding American Council on Education (ACE) college credit recommendations, which can be transferred into college credits at many colleges and universities.
To access and download your JST:
1. Visit the JST website and create an account if you haven't done so already.
2. Click “Transcripts” in the main menu, then select “Official Transcript Request.”
3. Choose the institution you want to send your transcript to from their database, then click “Yes” under “Send my transcript.”
4. Once they have processed and sent your request, you can track its status under "Transcripts" and then "Official Transcript Request Status."
When the time is right, you can also obtain an unofficial copy of your transcript. While you're on the “Transcripts” menu, select “View JST.” On the resulting page, find your desired document and click “Print.”
Make sure to check with the university you're applying to, though; not all universities accept all ACE credits, and the number of credits they'll accept can vary. It's also important to see how these credits fit into your degree plan. I know that you're planning ahead but I hope this information has been helpful.
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