Military Training and College - Any Connections?

I've been considering joining the military after high school. One thing I'm a little confused about is the relationship between military training and college. Do all types of training help me earn college credit or is it only specific ones? Also, are these credits recognized by all colleges or only certain ones? And how can I convert these credits? Super confused here—any information would be greatly appreciated!

Certainly, it's understandable that you might be confused. The connection between military training and college credits can indeed be complex. Through the Defense Department's Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES), service members can earn some college credits through training and experience.

To convert military training into college credits, you might consider having a military transcript prepared. For Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy: Active Duty, Reserve, and Veterans, you can request a Joint Services Transcript (JST). This transcript will show all your military training and work experience, describe them in terms of civilian job duties, and recommend equivalent college credits based on American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines.

As for the types of training, it depends. ACE reviews many types of military training for credit recommendations, but it doesn't mean all training will necessarily earn college credits. It's usually the more technical, skill-oriented training that translates most directly into college credit, especially in fields like engineering, computer science, and healthcare.

Now, regarding whether these credits are recognized by all colleges, it's important to note that decisions about accepting credits are at the discretion of each institution. Some schools may accept more military credits than others, and some may not accept any at all. When you're deciding where to apply, it's a good idea to contact the school's admissions or registrar's office and ask about their policy on accepting military credits.

Lastly, to convert these credits, you'll typically have to submit your JST as part of your applications. As I mentioned, each college will have its process for evaluating your transcript and deciding how many credits to award. An academic adviser at the college could also help guide your way.

This is a quite difficult process to navigate, but remember there are resources available to help. Your military education officer should be able to give more detailed guidance based on your particular situation and the type of training you've had. Good luck!