Navy Credentialing Program Offers Limited Funding Pilot for Officer Credentialing Opportunities

Courtesy Photo | 200109-N-N0443-0001 PENSACOLA, Fla. (Jan. 9, 2020) The Navy Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) program website has a new look and feel for 2020 and has added many new features. Navy COOL’s website at http://www.cool.navy.mil/ provides information about licenses and certifications applicable to all Navy occupations, offering resources and funding to help enlisted Sailors and now officers, gain appropriate civilian desired credentials. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)  

PENSACOLA, FL, UNITED STATES

01.08.2020

Courtesy Story

Naval Education and Training Command

From Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Officers now have opportunities to earn civilian certifications and licenses funded through Navy Credentialing Opportunities On-line (COOL) on a voluntary basis with a Navy policy update Jan. 1.

This is being provided as an initial limited funding pilot, which will allow officers to request funding for credentialing opportunities on a first come-first serve basis until the pilot funding has been exhausted.

Navy COOL’s website at http://www.cool.navy.mil/ provides information about licenses and certifications applicable to all Navy occupations, offering resources and funding to help enlisted Sailors and now officers, gain appropriate civilian desired credentials.

Here is what’s new:

• Credentials Based on Designator or Collateral Duties. If you are a Navy officer (Active or Reserve), you may now be eligible for funding for credentials, displaying the “Navy Bucks” icon, that appear on your designator or collateral duty page of Navy COOL.

• Credentials Earned and Maintained Prior to Joining the Navy. If you are a Navy officer (Active or Reserve), you may now be eligible for funding for credentials that were earned, and maintained, prior to your commission in the Navy. The certification or license must have relevance to the needs of the Navy, and must appear on Navy COOL, although it does not need to show the “Navy Bucks” icon to be funded.

• Opportunities Related to Academic Degrees. Out-of-designator requests for exam funding for credentials related to an earned academic degree may also be funded if it can be directly related to a national industry certification or federal license. For example, if you have a degree in human resources but are serving as a surface warfare officer, you can get funding for a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.

• Prior Other-Service Occupation. If you are a Navy officer (Active or Reserve), you may now be eligible for funding for credentials related to prior other-service (Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) enlisted or officer occupation. The certification or license must have relevance to the needs of the Navy, and must appear on Navy COOL, although it does not need to show the “Navy Bucks” icon to be funded.

• Opportunities for Prior Enlisted. If you were prior enlisted, you now are eligible for certifications and licenses mapped to your prior rating and/or collateral duty. The “Navy Bucks” icon on the Navy COOL page for your previous position/rate indicates which certifications and licenses may be funded.

• Opportunities for Redesignated Officers. If you have redesignated, you now are eligible for certifications and licenses mapped to your prior designator. The "Navy Bucks" icon on the Navy COOL page for your previous designator indicates which certifications and licenses may be funded.

• Opportunities for Navy Reservists. If you are a Navy Reservist, you may now be eligible for funding for credentials related to your civilian occupation. The certification or license must have relevance to the needs of the Navy and must appear on Navy COOL, although it does not need to show the “Navy Bucks” icon to be funded.

• Opportunities Related to Off-Duty or Command-Sponsored Training. If you can document that you have completed an on- or off-duty training course that fully prepares you for a civilian certification or license, you may now be eligible to have it funded. For example, if you took a command-sponsored emergency medical technician (EMT) course, you may be eligible for funding for an EMT Basic credential.

As with any credential, officers must meet all other eligibility criteria and the certification or license vendors' requirements.

For more information about Navy COOL, visit http://www.cool.navy.mil/. You can live chat online or call [phone] to speak with an advisor during office hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. Officers and Sailors can also email [e-mail] or use an online feedback form at https://www.cool.navy.mil/usn/contact/index.htm.

Navy COOL is a program through Naval Education and Training Command as part of MyNavy HR Force Development, which ensures that officers and Sailors are equipped with the specific skills they need to do their jobs and have access to professional growth opportunities to enhance their careers.

• Date Taken: 01.08.2020
• Date Posted: 01.09.2020 13:56
• Story ID: 358566
• Location: PENSACOLA, FL, US