Converting Military Service to College Credits

My plan's to serve in the military for a while before heading off to college, but I reckon I could get a head start academically while serving. Is it possible to get college credits for my military service, and if so, how would I go about doing this?

Absolutely! Many educational institutions recognize military training and experiences as valuable learning opportunities and will convert these into college credits. This conversion is usually done through the process of translating your military transcripts into college credits.

Here's the drill:

First, make sure that you request your Joint Services Transcript (JST), if you're in the Army, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard. For Air Force personnel, you can request for transcripts through the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). These transcripts provide a record of your military occupational, training, and education history.

Then, submit these transcripts to the college you wish to attend. The institution will evaluate your JST or CCAF against their curriculum to determine equivalent college credits. However, it's crucial to understand that the decision of how much credit to award (and for which courses) rests solely with each institution, and it can vary widely.

But there's more: if you've taken any of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) while in service, those scores can also earn you college credits.

So, it's actually a good strategy to research colleges that are military-friendly and have a solid understanding of translating military training into academic credit. Many universities belong to the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium, which is dedicated to making it easier for service members and their families to obtain college degrees.

In closing, a key to maximizing your college credits is to actively seek out and participate in learning opportunities while in the military. Keep track of course completions, trainings, and experiences that could potentially equate to academic credit. Integrate this with your plans for your education pathway and select a degree program that aligns well with the skills and experiences you gained in your military service.

Remember this isn't simply a transactional process. Your military experience has likely provided you with leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, discipline, and teamwork experiences that will enrich your college studies, beyond just earning credit hours. So not only will you be walking in with credits, but also valuable life skills to boot. Best of luck!