Stacking Military Education Plus College Credits?

Hello all! If I join the military first before college, can I use both my military education and take college courses to earn more credits faster? Has anyone done this or knows someone who did? Thanks for any help.

Yes, it's possible to earn college credits both through your military education and by taking college courses. This can indeed help you accumulate credits at a quicker pace.

Many universities offer credit for military training and experience, based on recommendations by the American Council on Education (ACE). In ACE’s Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services, each military occupation, course, or skill is associated with a corresponding set of college credits. You can request a Joint Services Transcript (JST) that details your military training and occupation, professional military education, and any standardized exams scores. The university would then conduct an evaluation of these credits when you apply.

It's also common for service members to pursue college courses while they're in the military. Online courses or programs can be especially convenient as they are flexible and can be pursued from anywhere.

To help finance your education, you could utilize benefits like the GI Bill, which can cover tuition and fees, provide a monthly housing allowance and a stipend for books and supplies.

However, it's crucial to keep in mind that transferring and applying these credits can vary based on the college’s policies - not all colleges handle military credits the same way. So it's recommendable to research and have conversations with the admissions or transfer office of the institutions you're interested in.

Additionally, successfully balancing military service and college coursework may require careful time management, especially during periods of active duty.

Please note that while it’s a fantastic initiative to speed up your collegiate progress, focusing on understanding the material and developing a robust skill set can be just as important as earning the credits themselves.