Whether you are reaching the end of your military enlistment or you are a Reserve member looking to pursue an education, your training and service may be eligible for credit at many colleges, universities, and other programs. It’s important to be aware of the many options and career paths available to you once you return to civilian life. Joining the military provides you with an opportunity for education and training in addition to the real-world experiences of serving your country. Not only does that education help you become a better soldier, but once you leave the military, you are already on the path to earning a college degree, as your military experience can be converted into college credits by using a document called the Joint Services Transcript (JST).    

As with any transfer student, colleges will look closely at your military accomplishments to compare them against the requirements of your chosen degree and award credit only where there is equivalent experience. Requesting credit for your military experience can save you time and money while helping you move closer to your goals. The first step toward receiving that credit is understanding your military transcript. 

Here is a deeper look at the JST and the ways it can help ease your transition to civilian life and help you start a rewarding career. 

What is a Joint Services Transcript? 

As a member of the Army, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard, your accumulated training, accomplishments and experiences in service are compiled into a JST. This military transcript is a valuable record of your training, education and experience. It provides colleges, universities, training programs, and credentialing bodies with a clear idea of what you did during your time as a military service member, translated into language that is familiar to admissions professionals like official civilian transcripts. Your military branch maintains an official JST, while you have access to an “unofficial” copy, as applicants are not typically able to submit their own transcript. 

The prevalence of military jargon and the complexity of most service members’ responsibilities can lead to challenges when transitioning back into civilian life, as veterans are suddenly tasked with explaining the details of their service to people unfamiliar with military service. The  JST does this work for you, highlighting your skills and experience and how those experiences make you an asset to an educational or training program. Since most veteran students do not fit the age or personal profile of a typical college applicant, this document helps your chosen school or program understand your background, goals, and everything you’ve developed as a service member. 

How You Can Use Your JST 

Whether you are actively applying to programs or you are just considering your options, it is important to understand how to use the JST you have built through your service. You can log into or create an account on the Department of Defense website to access the JST portal and request your official and unofficial transcripts to be submitted to any programs you are considering.  

You can use your JST to gather info to understand how your military experience translates to civilian roles and skills. This is critical when you apply for a college degree or interview for a job, or any other situation that requires you to explain the details of your service. Being able to express the details of what you did and how your experiences impacted you, fostered growth, and inspired a passion for a given skill or field of study, will help you move toward the education and career you want. Since veterans only make up a small percentage of the student population at most schools, admissions officers might not be well-versed in the details of what military service entails. Meeting them halfway and explaining the value of your training and experience will help you stand out as an applicant and help you work with student counselors post-acceptance. 

Another important use for your JST is calling out and enumerating your experience with particular skills. Say, for example, you learned some fundamentals in mechanical engineering, or welding, or cybersecurity, or some other specific discipline, your JST will have a record of your experience and training.  

What are the Main Components of the JST? 

Every school has its criteria for accepting transfer credits, usually based on how well your completed coursework aligns with those required for your intended degree, your performance in the course, and the age of the credits. It’s a good idea to compare your experience to the school’s requirements ahead of time so you’ll have reasonable expectations and be able to plan accordingly. 

Here are some tips for understanding the components of your JST so you can have a better idea of what to expect:

ACE Course Evaluations and Credit Recommendations 

The American Council on Education (ACE) supports students and learners by evaluating prior learning, which includes military training and occupations as well as the ACE Military Guide. The ACE provides recommendations for the amount of academic credit students should receive in terms of semester hours. Each JST lists these recommendations, as well as the course name, description, dates completed, and the level achieved. The JST also provides an ACE course identifier, which allows schools to look up the specific course on the ACE website and review the learning outcomes and methods of instruction for the course. In most cases, these details are compared to the courses required for the degree to determine whether credits should be awarded. 

Military Occupation, Experience and Accomplishments 

The JST includes your military work experience and training that can translate to college credit, and civilian job experience. Your full job descriptions and skill levels included will help admissions professionals and even hiring managers understand how your military service transfers and qualifies you for certain civilian programs and roles. As part of your JST through the ACE, badges are available as digital marks of any accomplishments and skills acquired. This helps employers verify your knowledge and competencies for a given job. 

Certifications and Test Scores 

The JST also includes your test scores from any College Level Examination Program or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests you completed, how the scores compare to the ACE recommendations, and the recommended number of credits to be awarded. Again, individual college policies vary, but you may receive credit for some courses based on these results. 

Additional Training & Information  

Finally, your JST will include information about training or experience you completed that hasn’t been evaluated by ACE and therefore doesn’t have any associated credit recommendation. The JST provides a clear and comprehensive summary and explanation of your military experience. You can view an example of a JST here to get an idea of what it entails.  

Start your career journey at Columbia Southern University 

At CSU, we pride ourselves on a program that offers tremendous support for veteran students of all ages and levels of experience.  When you opt to enroll at a military-friendly school like Columbia Southern University, your JST will be reviewed by an experienced counselor who has an in-depth understanding of military transcripts and will carefully review your experience to make fair and accurate recommendations. 

Whether you are looking to obtain a degree or to gain some professional skills and credentials, our counselors, advisors, and programs are designed to reduce friction and give you maximum credit for your hard work as a service member.  Learn more about how CSU can help you make the most of your military experience and help you reach your goals. 

Any reference to United States Department of Defense (DoD) personnel, products or services does not constitute or imply endorsement by the DoD. Paid ad. No federal endorsement of advertiser(s) intended. 

Amount of transfer credits is dependent upon transcript evaluation and pending Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process. 

Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.