Understanding Military College Credit Banking

Hey guys, I'm really thinking about how joining the military might impact my education. I've heard something about 'military college credit banking'. Could someone explain what that is? How beneficial is it for someone planning to continue their education after serving?

Sure thing! Military College Credit Banking essentially refers to the process of gaining college credits for the training you receive while in the military. These credits can be "banked" or saved up and later transferred to a college or university. The whole idea rests on the concept of acknowledging the extensive and often intensive training that service members get in the military and converting that learning into usable credits in the academic world.

The American Council on Education works closely with the Department of Defense to evaluate each military course and assign its equivalent in college credits. Once evaluated, the information is recorded in a document called a Joint Services Transcript (JST), which consolidates all your military training, skills learned, and job experience related to your specific military role.

The advantage of this system is that service members can jumpstart their college careers while still serving, potentially shortening the time it takes to earn a degree. Given that many service members pursue higher education as adults often juggling families and jobs, this system can be quite beneficial. However, it's important to bear in mind that the credits you accrue may not necessarily apply to every program or school.

Each college or university has its own policy regarding which credits they accept. Some colleges only accept credits for electives, not for specific courses within a major. So it would be advantageous to get in touch with the academic advisors at the colleges you're interested in to understand how your military credits might transfer over.

It's also important to remember that while these credits can help advance your degree, they don't always translate into academic knowledge. If you're pursuing a field that is vastly different from your military training, you might need to take more foundational courses in your new area of study. Nevertheless, it's a significant benefit that can help facilitate your transition from the military to civilian and academic life. I hope this explanation helps!