Can my Current Military Service Earn me College Credits?

Hi, I'm currently serving in the military as a 91F (Small Arms/Artillery Repairer) and I also have aspirations of attending college. I've heard that military experiences can earn you some college credits. Has anyone been in my shoes and can confirm this? Thanks!

Absolutely, you may be able to receive college credits for your military training and experiences. Many colleges and universities in the United States award credit towards your degree for military service. This way, you can put your valuable skills learned in the military to use in an academic setting.

This process starts with getting an official transcript from the Army's American Council on Education (ACE). ACE is an organization that provides a bridge between the learning you received in the military and the academic credits colleges and universities award. They perform evaluations of the various training programs and occupations in the military to see how they stack up against college-level learning.

Once you have your ACE transcript, you can then present it to colleges or universities where you're applying. Each institution has the autonomy to decide how many, if any, credits to award based on ACE's recommendations. Therefore, it's a good idea to reach out to the colleges you're interested in to understand their policy on military training credits. Some schools may also review your Joint Services Transcript (JST), which details your military occupational experience and training history, and translate these into civilian skills and potential college credits.

While some credits might not directly apply to your degree program, they may be able to count towards elective credits or even help you meet certain prerequisite requirements. And remember to discuss these credits with your academic advisor and how they might fit into your academic plan.

It's fantastic that you're looking to put your military experience towards your college education. Good luck in your college journey!