Transferring Military College Credits to Civilian Universities

I'm a junior considering a stint in the military after high school, partly because I've heard you can earn college credits that way. My question is, what's the process for transferring those credits to a civilian university later on? Are there certain universities that are more accepting of these credits?

Transferring military experiences and training to civilian universities often occurs through the Joint Services Transcript or JST. The JST translates military training and experiences into civilian language and assigned American Council on Education (ACE) credit recommendations, which are recognized by many colleges and universities.

After you enlist, complete training and coursework that contribute towards your JST. When you're ready to apply to colleges, you'll need to request your transcript from the JST system and send it to your desired schools.

However, acceptance of these credits varies by each institution. Some schools might accept most or all ACE-recommended credits, while others might only accept a few or none at all. It's essential that you research or reach out to each school's admissions office or registrar to understand their credit-transfer policies. Sometimes, the credits may not meet the requirements for a particular major, but could be applied as elective credits.

Additionally, some universities and colleges might have established relationships or dedicated programs for veteran and military students. For example, schools like Excelsior College or University of Maryland Global Campus are known for their commitment to accommodating and understanding the needs of military students.

Overall, taking the time to research and find universities with military-friendly policies can help you ensure that your military training and experiences are recognized and valued in your pursuit of a civilian degree. Having these credits could potentially save you a significant amount of time and financial resources in completing your degree.