DANTES INFORMATION BULLETIN (6) JUNE 2019

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JUN JUN

DANTES DANTES INFORMATION INFORMATION BULLETIN BULLETIN

2018 2019

Joint Services Transcript Counselor Support Tools College Credit for Military Experiences: JST

Michelle Alexander, Voluntary Education Enterprise Support, DANTES

In this issue: JST Support Tools 2 JST Fact Sheet

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JST Q & As

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Hot News

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Troops to Teachers

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Contact Information

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DANTES Information Bulletin

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any service members are eligible for college course credits at academic institutions based on knowledge gained during military service. They are highly skilled multi-taskers with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

It is common practice for education centers or academic institutions to discuss the Joint Services Transcript (JST) with service members seeking education opportunities. The recommended college credit on the JST documents occupational experience and training, helps with post-secondary degree requirements and can serve as a guide for developing resumes or career portfolios.

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This month’s issue provides VolEd professionals with the Joint Services Transcript, information on an important tool that capitalizes on service member knowledge and experiences to helps them complete post-seocondary degree requirements saving them time and money.

Some of the tools military education counselors can use to help provide service members with quality information on the JST include:

• • • • •

DANTES Website DANTE4Military JST Fact Sheet JST Website ACE Military Guide

http://www.dantes.doded.mil

Joint Services Transcript Counselor Tools

DANTES Website: Joint Services Transcript (JST) The DANTES website, https://www.dantes. doded.mil/ includes a detailed page for each education program. From the homepage, the “JST” page is located under “Get College Credit for What You Know” and contains the following information: • Program Overview: provides a brief description of how military training, education, and occupational experiences are evaluated for college credit recommendations.

• Student Benefits: provides information on how the JST helps service members save time, avoid costs, and prepare to meet degree requirements.

• Program Eligibility: explains who is eligible for the JST. • Support Resources: includes information on updating or correcting the JST, frequently asked questions (FAQs); and access to the Military Guide, which is the sole source of information for all military courses and occupations evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE).

DANTES Information Bulletin

The JST page also includes a helpful introductory video and information on who to contact for assistance.

Another resource to consider is the DANTES4Military Blog located under “Blog” at the top of every page on the DANTES website. The blog is a tool tailored for service members, encompassing a wide variety of information that touches on all areas of postsecondary education. Consider using email, social media, and other methods to share these articles on the JST:

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Joint Services Transcript Counselor Tools The JST website, https://jst.doded.mil is a one stop shop for all things related to viewing, updating and sending the JST. The website and the transcript itself is generated, maintained and delivered by the JST Operations Center. The following are ways voluntary education professionals can direct service members/veterans to use the website: Sign In or Register for a JST account. Current active duty service members or prior enlisted with a Common Access Card (CAC) card do not need to register for a JST account. Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy veterans without a CAC card can register for an account at https://jst.doded.mil/smart/registration.

It is important to note that the registration feature is enabled for service member accounts only. All other account holders (i.e. academic institutions, etc.) must contact the JST Operations Center at jst@doded.mil for assistance with account access.

View the JST. By selecting the “Transcript” tab at the top of the page once a service member logs into the website, they will be presented with several options: • Select “Transcript” to view and print an Individual (Unofficial) Transcript on-line.

The transcript contains sections for Military Course Completions, Military

Experience, College Level Test Scores, and Other Learning Experiences.

• Select “Summary” to view and print a Summary of an Individual (Unofficial) Transcript on-line. The Summary contains recommended college credit and test scores in a tabular format.

• Select the “Official Transcript Request” to request that an official transcript be sent to institutions.

• Select the “Official Transcript Request History” to view the history of all official transcripts requested to be sent to institutions.

Service member level users also have the ability to perform the following functions: • Navy users can access the Degree Planning Tool to search for degree programs by institution, their rate, or all programs.

• Use the Inquiry Tool to answer questions or solve problems related to their transcript.

• Update or correct their JST using Servicespecific instructions. Service members can check the status of their JST correction/ update request online by selecting “Update Transcript Status”.

• Revise their email address or change their password by selecting “My Account”.

JST Website

DANTES Information Bulletin

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Joint Services Transcript Counselor Tools

ACE Military Guide The online Military Guide, http://www.acenet. edu/news-room/Pages/Military-Guide-Online. aspx is the sole source of information for all military courses and occupations evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE).

The Military Guide is updated daily and users can search for courses and occupations using the ACE identification number, keywords, course numbers, training location, dates completed, or subjects and levels. The Military Guide is an important tool because the course and occupation exhibits expand on the information found in a service member’s JST. Voluntary education professionals can point college and university registrars and department chairs to this information to advocate for credit award on behalf of service members. The guide includes two main sections: Course Evaluations and Occupation Evaluations.

Course Evaluations Courses listed in the Military Guide are formal Service school training courses evaluated by ACE for college level equivalencies. When searching for courses, it is important to note that each course will have an exhibit. Course exhibits are reports on the results of course evaluations. Sections of the course exhibit include: • Credit recommendations • Learning outcomes • Instructional strategies DANTES Information Bulletin

• Methods of assessment • Minimum passing score sections.

Occupation Evaluations In conducting occupation evaluations, ACE faculty evaluators identify the skills, competencies, and knowledge required of service members in a given occupation specialty and relate that demonstrated learning to the same attributes acquired by students who have completed a comparable postsecondary course or curriculum.

Occupation exhibits are reports on the results of occupation evaluations. For most occupations, the credit recommendations are connected to the service member’s paygrade or skill level within the occupation.

However, due to the unique nature of the warrant officer community, the occupation evaluations for warrant officers apply to the community as a whole. The descriptions are similar to learning outcome statements of postsecondary courses and programs of study, and provide essential information about the learning required for proficiency in the occupation.

Visit the Military Guide website to search for course or occupational exhibits; view FAQs for credit recommendations, courses, occupations and transcripts; and more at http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/ Military-Guide-Online.aspx

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Joint Services Transcript Counselors Tools Fact sheets that summarize each program are available on the DANTES website, under the ‘Counselor & School Reps’ tab and within the ‘Program Materials’ section. Information includes a program overview, student benefits, counselor resources, and more. You can view, download, and print each fact sheet to use as easily accessible counseling tools.

JOINT SERVICES TRANSCRIPT PROGRAM OVERVIEW: The Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education (VolEd) Program, through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) on behalf of the Military Services, coordinates with the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) to provide the Joint Services Transcript (JST) to service members and veterans. The transcript validates service member and veteran occupational experience and training with college credit recommendations determined by the American Council on Education (ACE). The JST helps service members and veterans complete post-secondary degree requirements. The JST can also serve as a guide for developing resumes and/or career portfolios.

BENEFITS TO SERVICE MEMBERS: Provides ACE credit recommendations: Member’s receive credit for military occupational experience and training Avoid coststo view or send JST Official transcripts delivered: Allows official transcripts to be ordered 24/7 for academic institutional review Save time: Self-service, 24/7 access for unofficial transcript Download and updates

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY: All service members and veterans in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, including active duty, National Guard and Reserve components, are eligible to receive a no-cost JST. Government civilians in the Coast Guard are also eligible. Air Force personnel should contact CCAF to receive transcripts (www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp).

Air Force personnel who attended joint training offered by another service should email JST Operations (jst@doded.mil) to have a JST processed.

COUNSELOR RESOURCES:

DANTES POC: Joint Services Transcript Operations

jst@doded.mil https://jst@doded.mil

FAQs: https://jst.doded.mil/faq.html Make Corrections: https://jst.doded.mil/correction.html Request Official Transcript: https://jst.doded.mil/official.html

Education Programs and Tools Video https://youtu.be/G5J1TFmn8rw What is the Joint Services Transcript Video https://youtu.be/l2vpZu6D_dU

Helping Service Members Achieve Their Education Goals DANTES Information Bulletin

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Joint Services Transcripts

Top 5 JST

Q&A E

ach year the JST Operations Center, the American Council on Education, and DANTES personnel receive many questions from service members. The following questions and answers can help education counselors answer the most frequently asked questions.

Q1: Where do I access and print my JST? A1: Members need to register for a JST account online @ https://jst.doded.mil/. Members are able to view and print unofficial transcripts directly from the registered account. If they are unable to register, go to https://jst.doded.mil/faq.html for more information. Official transcripts may be ordered here as well.

Air Force members, who have attended joint service training opportunities, should first check to see if the training is ACE evaluated by going to http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/Military-Guide-Online. If the training is ACE evaluated, an education counselor or the member may email jst@doded.mil to process the JST transcript request. If a member’s career and training consists solely of Air Force information, they should contact CCAF at www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/transcripts.asp.

Q2: I have course or training information missing from my JST, what should I do?

A2: Each service has a detailed process for corrections and updates to the JST, the member should go to https://jst.doded.mil/correction.html for

DANTES Information Bulletin

their Service’s guidance. Members can also process a query and upload documents from their registered account for a faster response.

Q3: How do I have my official transcript sent to a school?

A3: Members should log into their JST account and click the “Transcript” link at the top of the page. On the “Transcripts” menu, click the “Official Transcript Request.” On the next page, search for the school and select the institution from the list. Select the institution in the search results. Be sure to verify spelling and location are correct. On the next page, acknowledge the consent statement and click “Yes”.

If the school is not listed, members can have their school representative email JST personnel and request their school be added. Send email to jst@ doded.mil Q4: Is there a limit to the number of official transcripts I can have sent out?

A4: The delivery method determines how many transcripts can be ordered and sent out. If the delivery method is electronic, there is no limit. Note that Army and National Guard can only send transcripts to institutes that have electronic delivery. If the delivery method is U.S. Postal Service (USPS), only two transcripts can be ordered within a 30 day period, due to the cost associated with generating and mailing.

Q5: My school isn’t taking some credits from my JST. What are my options?

A5: It is up to each institution to decide whether the JST/ACE recommendations are accepted, modified or rejected. Students can ask their school if they offer challenge exams, portfolio assessments, CLEP/DSST testing, and/or competency based classes as options to assess and validate the member’s previous experience.

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Hot News

Hot News Kuder Journey Webinar

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hat is Kuder Journey? It’s a comprehensive online resource that helps service members plan for the future by learning about their interests, skills and work values. Students receive a personal career plan, options to explore occupational and educational information, and guidance to plan for transition and future employment success.

There will be a Kuder Journey webinar on June, 27, at 1000 CST. The webinar will assist counselors in helping service members with career and education planning. Counselors will also learn how to use the administrative component of the website. To register go to: https://www.kuder.com/courses-events/eid/bfbecc7ac9b3267a/online-training-sessions/dantes-monthly-webinars/ or go to www.kuder.com/events and in the “search the calendar” box, type DANTES, and register. We recommend that counselors register prior to the webinar, so that you can ask questions.

Send an email to refpubs@navy.mil to request a counselor account.

DANTES Information Bulletin

Discount Off Retests for Service Members

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his summer, anyone who takes a CLEP exam between January 1, 2019 and August 31, 2019 will be eligible for 50 percent off a retest of the orginal exam. This means service members who test using DANTES funding can get 50 percent off a retest.

This discount will allow service members who do not achieve their desired score on the first attempt to retest without paying the full CLEP exam fee.

Spouses, family members, and others who are not eligible for DANTES funding can also get 50 percent off a retest after taking one full-priced exam.

Service members must complete their first CLEP exam prior to registering for their second and must enter the promo code CLEPFIFTY at checkout during registration. The code is valid from June 1, 2019 through August 31, 2019 and can only be used on one exam per test taker.

For more information or questions, email clep@ collegeboard.org.

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Troops to Teachers Spot Light

Renee M. Johnson Service: U.S. Navy Retired Rank: Chief Petty Officer (SW) Dates of Service: 10/1976 – 01/2000 Current Teaching Position: Special Education Teacher, Goodwin-Frazier Elementary School, New Braunfels, TX What led to your decision to teach? I have always wanted to teach, ever since I was a child.

I am from a family of 10 children. I graduated high school the same year as my brother, Brian, who is deaf, and my parents paid for him to go to Rochester Tech. They talked me into joining the Navy, so I could get the GI Bill and go to college after I completed my initial enlistment contract. I ended up staying in the Navy until January 2000.

to come to his school the following day for an interview. I was offered the position on the spot.

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Pursuing TTT and a teaching career has allowed me to … fulfill a lifelong dream. I have the honor and privilege to help people see the best in themselves, to dream big and to believe in themselves. I have built relationships with families, not just the students, but their whole family. Together, we can make great things happen.

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What was your experience working with TTT? I think the name of the person that helped me was Mary Kettle. I contacted her and she was very helpful. She told me about an alternative certification program… The program was exactly what I needed and it fit my schedule perfectly.

How did the program help you secure a job teaching? I had already used all of my GI Bill earning my B.S. in Human Resource Management. When I was trying to figure out a way to pay for my additional schooling to get my teaching certification, Mary Kettle (TTT) explained how the program could help me. Mary kept me up-to-date on job postings and job fairs in the area. I went to the job fair that she recommended and I explained to the first person I spoke with that I was retired military. The principal’s name was Dave Gettig. He invited me

DANTES Information Bulletin

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Troops to Teachers Spot Light What is the biggest benefit of teaching? The rewarding feeling of seeing young people with disabilities build on their abilities! Building relationships.

What is your advice to other military members looking to pursue a teaching career through TTT? I’d have to be honest and say, make sure teaching is what you truly want to do. The money isn’t the best, and the hours are endless! So it has to be something that you enjoy doing. The joy of seeing students grow and achieve things they never thought possible outweighs the hours and pay. It is definitely not for the weak in heart.

You have to be a strong person who honors commitments, is not afraid to lead, and is willing to work with all types of people. You also have to be willing to let go of control sometimes and give the control to the students. How else will they learn to grow? I would say – keep staying outside of your comfort zone and always face every new assignment with tenacity in order to build resilience and learn from every leadership role you take. And most importantly, never be too big to learn from anyone. I learn so much from my students on a daily basis. Sometimes I wonder who the teacher is! Them or me! Embrace it.

What are your long term teaching goals? I started teaching in August 2002. I have no desire to become an administrator because my passion is working with the students in the classroom. I am currently in my 60s, so my long term teaching

DANTES Information Bulletin

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goals have already been achieved. I continue to take part in courses every year to keep up to date on the latest teaching strategies and technologies in the classroom. I could retire from teaching now, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Why would I want to quit doing something I love so much? I feel like I am contributing to something great, and that makes me happy!

Any special highlights or stories from your military to classroom experience? I had the opportunity to go to Liberia, Africa and teach in some of the schools there, working with students with disabilities.

I was selected as Teacher of the Year for the 2017-18 school year at Weinert Elementary School, Seguin, TX. I believe this was partly due to all of the organizational and leadership skills I learned in the Navy. Many teachers have a tough time keeping up with all of the paperwork and keeping deadlines. After being a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, keeping deadlines, respecting cultural differences, and doing the mounds of paperwork is all just second nature for me.

For at least 8 years, while I was a teacher at Saegert Sixth Grade Center, students would write me letters on Veterans Day, and I would write each student a reply to those letters telling them about the Navy and how the Navy helped shape me as a person.

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DANTES Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support

DANTES OCONUS European Advisor (Contingency Operation Support)

6490 Saufley Field Road, Pensacola, FL 32509 (850) 452-1901

011-49-611-143-544-1230/1210

usarmy.badenwur.usareur.mbx.dantes-euro@ mail.mil

DANTES_Outreach@navy.mil

www.DANTES.DoDed.mil DANTES4Military.Education

DANTES INFORMATION BULLETIN

DANTESpulse.DoDlive.mil

DANTES Information Bulletin The DANTES Information Bulletin is published monthly to inform education personnel about DANTES programs and to help promote more efficient customer service to service members.

Email all inquiries to DANTES_Outreach@navy.mil.

Reproduction in whole or in part is permitted for any purpose of the United States Government, except that copyrighted materials cannot be reproduced without written permission from the copyright owner. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by DANTES of the linked websites, or the information, products, or services contained therein.

Jeff Allen, Director Michelle Alexander, Editor DANTES Information Bulletin

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