Advanced Enlistment with College Credits

[fsmaine0020]

I'm active duty military stationed overseas. (17 years)

All CLEPS/DSST exams go onto the service members Joint Service Transcript (JST) and when it goes to JST gets filed into NSIPS ESR (Electronic Service Record) if US Navy. I'm sure the other services have something similar.

I've applied to 4 colleges (APUS, UMUC, TESC, PENN State) and submitted my "Official JST" which is "Free" and each college evaluated the CLEP/DSST that were listed on the JST transcript.

My advice would be to take all of the CLEP/DSST possible while on active duty. There is no special enlistment or extension required to take these examinations.

For instance: even though DSST: "Vietnam War" doesn't fit into my degree plan. I still took the DSST. Just in case I plan on obtaining a different degree someday and to show others it can be done. I was planning on a History degree someday.

I'm planning on taking TECEP: Technical Writing and also DSST: Technical Writing. Just in case the TECEP isn't given credit later down the road. Same with DSST: Statistics even though I've completed ALEKS.

Point is: DSST/CLEP get on your JST transcript free. Official transcripts are free. Bank all the credits there.

-ALEKS and TECEPS (Not sure if you can get on JST ?) The transcripts from ACE and TESU cost $$$

JST also lists all college courses but every place I've applied asked for the specific college and/or all "Official College" transcripts from previously attended.

EDIT: In the US Navy if a Sailor has a AA or BA in paygrades E4-E6 they recieve points which are added to a "Final Multiple" which consists of Evaluation marks, Test Score and Award Points. Each category weighted differently. Sometimes Sailors miss a promotion by 1 - 2 points. Later on in paygrades E7 - E9 they have "Selection Boards" and a degree definitely helps as well for Officer Commisioning programs.

Not sure about E2 - E3. (Sailor serves XX months) E3 is an automatic promotion. Pushing responsibility on a young service member very quickly is not always the best for professional development (Enlisted) unless mature. E3 Sailor straight out of bootcamp has strong chance of making E4 shortly after reporting. All E1-E3 Sailors that served TIR time in rate notice very quickly that E3 Sailor straight out of bootcamp is an E4. The non-rated E1 - E3 often have more experience than the new inexperienced E4. Sometimes a little animosity exists there.

Young E4 has to work harder and get technical skills , leadership and qualifications very quickly. All eyes are on new E4 and sometimes a small mistake looses a stripe. Where as the same small mistake for an E2 is punished a little differently. More is expected of the E4 even though fresh out of bootcamp.

Sailor that comes in as an E1 has less responsibility. More time to grow and learn trade. More time to take DSST/CLEP. They normally have to wait 1 year (1 year at command after reporting from bootcamp) for a first term sailor to recieve TA tuition assistance anyway. Not for DSST/CLEP.

Coming from a Salty Sailor ...

Jason