Should Service Members (all branches) receive national accreditation for their skill sets?

There is currently movement in Congress to have the skill sets apply to both civ and mil. To be honest, the military has more experience in certain fields with much more hands on time than a new graduate. I hope this gets changed soon. Our veterans deserve better.

I established the Military Occupational Skills Conversion Institute or MOSCI to give military members that option. I cannot find a good enough reason why spending time in a classroom learning from a book about skills required is worth more than practical application of those same principles. I am working on getting the accreditation equal and I will not rest until I have succeeded.

I agree, I spent 12 years in Law Enforcement, I was a Patrol Watch Sgt. (the Air Force calls them Flight Chiefs), and a Military Police Investigator, I have degrees in Criminal Justice, Criminal Law and Administration of Justice, in addition to the Federal Certification as an Air Force Police Investigator, but the Civilian world ONLY cares IF you have a "State" Peace Officer's Standards Training Certificate (POST), which is like requiring a Doctor to get certified as a Nurse's Aide before they can be hired.

I know SOME States now accept Military Police (and other job categories) credentials as acceptable to hire off the streets, but very few, and my state is NOT one of them. The ONLY crumb of bread that my Military Police time has gotten me, is the ability to carry a concealed weapon in all 50 states under the Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act (LEOSA) and that federal law only came about for Retired and ex Military cops in 2013. (I got out in 1994). ** But at least the Dept. of The Air Force still gave me my credentials after an FBI background investigation etc.

It is time that ALL Military members get some REAL credit for all of our training and experience.

The topic of CECL (Credentialing, Education, Certification, and Licensing) is a high priority in the 12 CMF (career management field) or Engineers. There are many initiatives underway to take the militarily acquired skills and transition them to the civilian sector. For example plumbers and interior electricians can get their hours from formal training applied toward their Journeyman in some states. Surveyors can likewise take their hours and either apply for credit on their way to a two year degree or study like crazy and write the licensure exam. Horizontal engineers need only write the CDL test as their time as a 12N will qualify for the driving portion. The Engineer Regiment has made great strides in the area of CECL so contacting Fort Leonard Wood would be a great start to see what is available as the list is growing almost monthly.

MSG (Join to see) This is a great idea. As I am sure you are aware, the Army Credentialing On Line or COOL web site depicts all Army MOSs with corresponding civilian certifications, cost for certification, and if the Army or VA will pay for it.

One strong example of this is in Texas by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). TCLEOSE recognizes the US Army CID Apprentice Special Agent Course as a direct replacement for the police academy. You must take the Licensing exam, but you do not have to attend the police academy. There are many others, but none that I know of (other than your military semi-truck driver's license to a Commercial Driver's License in most states without additional requirements) which does not require either a combination of education and an exam or an exam.

This should be something we work towards. I believe the United States Army Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, MO did when they became Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation (FLETA) recognized. This is the same certification possessed by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, US Marshal's Academy, the Federal Investigative Services Academy, FBI Academy, and DEA academy to name a few.

The topic you bring forth is not only an excellent point for departure from the military but recruiting and retention. Thank you,

I support accreditation for MOS training.

I look at this much like our formal education accreditation process.

Each MOS producing school, or Correspondence School has the ability to "petition" (not sure if right word) for ACE Accreditation. When a Service Member looks at their Joint Service Transcript (JST), it lists Recommended College Credits based on "Formal" Education.

As an example, Marine Boot Camp was 2 SH (L) in Marksmanship, 1 SH (L) in Orienteering/Outdoor Skills, and 1 SH (L) in Physical Fitness And Conditioning. Each School, and and even Specialty has listings like this, though they may not have been evaluated during a specific time-frame (while in service).

"If" there is a Federal Standard, the MOS producing school should attempt to mirror (and surpass) that standard, so that Accreditation occurs. At the State level, this becomes significantly more difficult however, but... those at the schoolhouse could in theory focus on the most stringent state and attempt to meet that requirement (for an 85% solution).

Yes, in every respect. There is no better substitute than On-the-job training (OJT) in a fast-past, diverse environment.

I agree with you Peter. I re-built jet engines in the Marine Corps. Not one of the engines I worked on failed due to subpar performance. I feel we should at least be given the opportunity to test out instead of attending more schooling on a subject we already have several years experience in.

I totally agree. Hands on training and field repairs take much more skill. What the book says is wrong is not always the case. Going beyond the book knowledge increases your skill level
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