Obtaining Civilian Certificates and Licenses
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Figuring out the next step in the civilian world is one of the biggest challenges veterans face when transitioning from the military. However, not all that training and experience from the military is wasted -- you just need to apply it to the right career or education.
Many military jobs correspond with civilian ones. Having the right credentials will help set you above the rest of the pack, especially in technical fields like mechanical, engineering and medical. Look at these suggestions on how to plan for your future with the knowledge you have in the present.
Civilian Certificate -- AARTS TranscriptIf you are trying to impress an employer with your military experience, you should attach an official transcript to your resume. The AARTS transcript, or Army American Council on Education Registry and Transcript System, is a record of your enlisted training in civilian education.
These are also extremely important to mail out if you decide to attend school after leaving the service. You can order them online, or print out an unofficial copy if you have a last-minute interview.
Civilian License -- ECE Exams for Nursing and TeachingYou can earn credits for a higher educational institute while enlisted. If you have a medical or teaching MOS, you can earn training credits toward certification as well. The Excelsior College Exam (ECE) program lets military personnel earn college credit through testing as opposed to coursework. The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support program (DANTES) helps find ways for you to earn college credit from your military activities.
This is particularly useful in the fields of nursing and teaching, since what you need in the end is a certificate for a job in the civilian workforce. The best part is that the ECE exams put you an extra step ahead without any costs.
Post-Military -- Transition RecordsAfter you begin the process of transitioning out of the service, you receive records about your military career. This includes your DD214 and DD2586, two very important documents that confirm your training, experience and awards while serving in the armed forces.
Use these papers in college admissions and during your job hunt. Educational institutions will most likely need to see them, whereas employers may not think about it. Attach the documents to your resume anyway, since they will verify your rank and activities that you talk about in the interview. With the right papers, you will be signing a new civilian job contract in no time.
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