I'm a junior in high school and I've been seriously thinking about enlisting after I graduate. I heard something about military training possibly equating to college credit. Can anyone provide some insight on this? Is this true for all colleges or does it vary from institution to institution? I'm slightly overwhelmed with info and would appreciate anyone chipping in with their knowledge.
Yes, military training can often be translated into college credit. It varies by institution, but many colleges and universities do have policies for accepting military training and experience for academic credit. This takes into account the discipline, training, and abilities that military service often instills in individuals.
The American Council on Education (ACE) actually works with the U.S. Department of Defense to review military training and experience for academic credit equivalency. Using the ACE recommendations, each college or university then determines the specifics of how much and what kind of credit they want to award.
The process typically involves the military member providing a Joint Services Transcript (JST), an official education transcript tool for the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. The document contains a record of military course completions, jobs held during service, and any examinations passed, allowing schools to get a clear picture of the member's experience and training.
However, not all schools and programs are equally flexible in recognizing military training credits or how they may apply to a specific degree program. Therefore, it's important for you to research specific institutions' policies.
Lastly, you might also want to explore the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), which offer free tests to military personnel. Passing scores can be eligible for college credit. Just remember, each college or university determines whether it will grant credit for these exams, so you'll need to check individual policies.
To help navigate this, consider reaching out to a school's office of veteran's affairs or the registrar's office. They should be able to guide you through their process and can offer valuable insight on how to best translate your experience into academic credit.
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