MARINE CORPS CREDENTIALING ONLINE AND APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS

COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) helps Marines find information on certifications and licenses related to their Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). COOL explains how Marines can meet civilian certification and license requirements and provides links to numerous resources to help get them started. COOL can also help you understand ways to get a credential or complete your education in order to maximize your professional development.

For more information please visit https://www.cool.osd.mil/usmc/

United Services Military Apprenticeship (USMAP)

Earn certification from the Department of Labor for skills learned through documentd MOS work experience and related techinical instruction.

Benefits

• Program is free and requires no off-duty hours
• Receive national recognition as a DOL apprentice
• Have documented proof of work experience
• DOL registered apprentices are sought after by employers

Requirements
A service member can become an apprentice if you meet all the following requirements: 

• Are active duty Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy
• Have sufficient time to complete the program while on active duty
• Possess a high school diploma or GED 
• Are assigned to, and are performing duties in, an authorized trade occupation

If you would like to learn more about USMAP, please visit https://usmap.osd.mil.

The Voluntary Education Program is staffed by trained counselors capable of providing academic and career counseling to active duty service members, adult family members, retirees, and civilians employed on MCAS Yuma.

To look for careers that match your abilities, interest and values, complete Kuder Journey or O*Net. To search for colleges that are approved for tuition assistance, click on the TA Decide link.

To view your military transcripts visit http://jst.doded.mil/

For tuitions assistance visit https://dodmou.com/TADECIDE

Additional resources;

https://www.onetonline.org/

https://dantes.kuder.com/landing-page

FINANCIAL AID GUIDE

The Education Center has created a Guide to Academic and Financial Aid that lists valuable information for researching colleges, financial aid and scholarship information, Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MYCAA), and websites to help you find discounted text books. Please stop by the Education Center to receive your free copy.

FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID

In order to qualify for financial aid, most academic institutions require students to complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The FAFSA can be completed online at https://studentaid.gov/.  

Please be aware that individual institutions have their own deadline.  To be sure that you are eligible to receive financial aid, file this application by the earliest deadline, whether it is the federal, state, or institution’s deadline.  Remember to renew your application annually in order to receive new assistance and/or continue to receive assistance.

MILITARY SPOUSE CAREER ADVANCEMENT ACCOUNTS PROGRAM (MyCAA)

MyCAA helps military spouses of (E1 to E5, W-01 to WO-2 and O-1 to O2) pursue licenses, certificates, certifications, or Associates Degrees (excluding Associates Degrees in General Studies, Liberal Arts, and Interdisciplinary Studies that do not have a concentration) necessary for employment in high demand, high growth occupations and career fields..

GI BILL 

The Education Office offers a monthly GI Bill brief that discusses the education benefits of the MGIB and the Post 9/11- GI Bill, the application process and the transfer of benefits requirements. 

To register for the Montgomery GI Bill please visit https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-active-duty/

To register for the Post 9/11-GI Bill please visit https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/

To transfer your Post 9/11-GI Bill benefits please visit https://www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill-benefits/

ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE
https://www.azwestern.edu

Arizona Western College is a 2-year community college that offers Occupational Certificates and Associate’s Degrees.  They offer classes on the station, online and throughout Yuma County.

TESTING SERVICES 

The Education proctors the following exams for free. For registration information, please contact (928)269-3248 or (928)269-5614.

AFCT

The Armed Forces Vocational Classification Test is a comprehensive test that measures knowledge of science, math, vocabulary, reading, mechanics, electronics, auto mechanics, and clerical skills. This test is used by all branches of the military as a predictor of success when working in a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Study guides are available at the Station Library or online.

COLLEGE EXAMS

College exams can be proctored at the Education Center if approved by your school.  This free service is available to active duty, dependents, reservists, and civilians aboard MCAS-Yuma. Please contact the Education Center at (928) 269-3248 to arrange for testing.

DLAB

The Defense Language Aptitude Battery is an 82 minute test that military services use to measure a service member's ability to learn a foreign language.

DLPT

The DLPT (Defense Language Proficiency Test) is designed for individuals who are already fluent in a specific foreign language needed by the military.

OPI

The Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) is a standardized procedure for the global assessment of functional speaking ability. It is a telephonic interview between a certified American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages (ACTFL) tester and an examinee that determines how well a person speaks a language.

BASIC SKILLS PREPARATION PROGRAMS - ONLINE ACADEMIC SKILLS COURSE (OASC)

OASC is a free online program designed to assist in building math, science, and reading comprehension skills to improve academic skills and readiness of services members as they progress through academic and occupational pathways during their military career.

Get started by creating an account and taking the pretests at https://dantes.petersons.com