Hey all, I'm currently in my first semester of college but I'm really thinking about joining the military. Is it possible for me to transition straight into the military after this semester finishes? Also, how would that affect my credits? If I want to come back to college after service, can those earned credits still be used?
Absolutely! You can join the military after a semester of college. Many people use the military as a transition in their lives, whether it's after high school, during college, or after college graduation.
Relating to your college credits, you should be able to use them when you return to college. Credits typically do not expire, but each college has its own policy about the life cycle of credits. It's best to check with your college about the longevity of the credits earned there.
You might also want to know that military service can help you earn additional college credits. Many military training programs are affiliated with college credit recommendations that can be transferred to a traditional college after your service. The American Council on Education (ACE) works closely with the Department of Defense (DoD) to review military training and experiences for academic credit, so you might find that you can return to college with more credits than you started with!
One more thing to consider is that several schools and programs have policies for leave of absences or disruptions due to military service. Speak to your school's admissions or registrar's office for further guidance. They can provide information on how to leave the school appropriately and ease the process when you want to return.
Good luck with everything!
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