Getting credit for military service

Photo By Valerie OBerry | The Voluntary Education Center team offers a variety of free educational services to active duty Marines, family members, civilian employees and reservists with the goal of providing the necessary information to achieve their educational goals. Pictured from left to right are: Lori Fox, Beth Zook, Geneva Dooley, Melora McVicker, BobbyHughes and Vida Torres. (Photo by Jeremy Beale)  

QUANTICO, VA, UNITED STATES

09.16.2017

Story by Valerie OBerry 

Marine Corps Base Quantico

As Marines seek promotions or even meaningful careers within the civilian sector it is important to acknowledge where they reside in their academic and professional career by reviewing their Joint Service Transcript at the Marine Corps Base Quantico’s Voluntary Education Center (VEC) located off Roan Street.
The VEC offers a variety of free educational services to active duty Marines, family members, civilian employees and reservists with the goal of providing the necessary information needed to achieve their educational goals.
According to Melora McVicker, education service officer at VEC, the pursuit of a more meaningful education and potential career within the Marine Corps and civilian sector, begins with navigating the four pillars practiced at VEC--counseling, funding, testing and academic recommendation.
“Our primary mission is to get Marines and potentially their families through college,” McVicker said. “We are meant to be a tool that helps Marines and their families set themselves up for the best possible futures.”
McVicker believes the first step can be as simple as scheduling a counseling session to review a Marine’s Joint Services Transcript (JST).
The JST provides a description of military schooling and work history in common language serving as a counseling tool for academic and career counselors in advising service members and veterans. It also serves as an aid in preparing resumes explaining Marine Corps work experience to civilian employers.
But, the most lucrative aspect of the JST is the time and money saved for tuition by awarding academic credits for military service.
The JST is considered an official transcript endorsing and recommending college credit for military education and training and is recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE), which is accepted by more than 2,300 colleges and universities.
But, according to the JST website, it is up to each institution whether ACE credit recommendations can be accepted, modified or rejected to meet the needs of specific degrees. Whether an academic institution accepts the credit recommendations depends on policies and procedures detailing transfer of credits, program of study and degree requirements.

More service members than ever are pursuing continuing education. Over the last 20 years, the percentage of total active duty member enlisted personnel who have a bachelor’s or advanced degree has increased.
According to Geneva Dooley, education and career technician, the information at the VEC is not meant to be a secret, but a tool for those seeking to improve their career in and outside of the Marine Corps.
For more information on VEC or your JST contact the center at [e-mail] or call 703-784-3340.
[e-mail]

• Date Taken: 09.16.2017
• Date Posted: 09.29.2017 14:26
• Story ID: 250082
• Location: QUANTICO, VA, US