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Army Knowledge Online (AKO) Army Knowledge Online (AKO) is rapidly moving to become the central repository for Army Web Sites and access to secured information. As part of the Army Transformation, the personnel community is moving rapidly toward streamlining its systems and giving Army National Guard Members access to their military personnel information on-line. We are currently using AKO for Career Field Designation (CFD), Command, and Senior Service College preference statements submission via the web. In the very near future you will no longer have to send away for a copy of your fiche, you will be able to view your file to include your photo on-line. Eventually you will be able to view and possibly update some of your personnel data through the web. We are strongly encouraging all officers to sign up for an AKO account. With this you receive an e-mail address that will follow you throughout your career, eliminating the every 2-3 year updates and ensuring you receive the latest information from your assignment branch. If you have an account and do not know your password, you can call the toll free number on the AKO WebPages to receive it. To access AKO, type www.us.army.mil into your browser. DEFENSE ACTIVITY FOR NON-TRADITIONAL EDUCATION SUPPORT (DANTES) The following information provides an overview of the programs and services available to Guard members, Guard spouses and civilians through DANTES. Overview http://www.dantes.doded.mil
Note: Re-tests for the SAT or ACT are funded for Guard members enrolling into an OCS program only if original test scores are over six years old. Authorized Tests for National Guard Spouses and Civilians National Guard spouses and civilians are authorized to take CLEP exams, DSST and ECE free of charge (though some may require a registration fee). All other tests (i.e. GRE, GMAT, etc.) are available to ARNG spouses and civilians but require payment from the examinee. Testing Locations The following testing locations are available to Guard members, Guard spouses and civilians as indicated.
To register for a DANTES TCO Course contact the ESO at National Guard Bureau (NGB-ARH), CPT Elizabeth Kirby, 703-607-5821 or [email protected] Student Guide to Success The Student Guide to Success is made up of professionally developed study courses on video and audiocassettes available to help ARNG soldiers, spouses and civilians prepare for the CLEP, DSST, and ECE exams. Many courses require an administration fee for National Guard spouses and civilian employees and a textbook may also be required to pass these exams. Materials can be order through the State ESO, or on line through the Army National Guard Institute (www.ARNGI.org). Education Software Packages The following education software packages can be downloaded by the ESO to assist in the education counseling and development of National Guard soldiers, spouses and civilians.
Use the following contact information for the latest updates regarding the benefits and services available through DANTES.
RESERVE COMPONENT EDUCATION PANEL (RCEP) The RCEP endorses several initiatives to support voluntary education efforts in the Reserve components including:
INFORMATION ON COLLEGE CREDIT FOR MILITARY JOB SKILLS Educational Reference Publications The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) distributes educational reference publications for use by Education Services personnel in counseling Military Service members. Many of these publications are acquired from the civilian education publishing community. DANTES also develops and prints publications to support other DANTES and service education programs. American Council on Education The American Council on Education (ACE), founded in 1918, is dedicated to the belief that equal educational opportunity and a strong higher education system are essential cornerstones of a democratic society. The Military Evaluations Program of ACE makes it possible for service members to receive college credit for service school courses and most enlisted occupations. The credit recommendations for evaluation of service school courses and occupations are published in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services commonly referred to as the ACE Guide. In the Higher Education arena, DANTES provides primary professional leadership and manages two Department of Defense (DoD) contracts. The contracts are with the American Council on Education (ACE) for the Military Evaluations Program and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) for the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Program. The services and support provided by the Higher Education Programs area impact heavily on (1) all military headquarters, education center personnel, and (2) on every Service member participating in the Services’ voluntary education programs. The non-traditional Higher Education Programs under these contracts are available worldwide.The ACE contract provides for the evaluation of Service School courses, selected enlisted, warrant officer and limited duty officer occupations, Navy enlisted classifications, Department of Defense courses, National Guard and Reserve courses. Thousands of Service members earn college credit for their military training and occupation through evaluations conducted by ACE. These credits can be applied to a college degree or a vocational certificate that can lead to career and educational advancement.
If you are enlisted and your pay entry basic date (PEBD) is on or after 1 October 1981, you can request your Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript (AARTS) by completing a DA Form 5454-R dated May 1995 or contact the AARTS at https://aarts.leavenworth.army.mil. Troops to Teachers The primary function of Troops to Teachers https://www.proudtoserveagain.com/pages/808014/index.htm and http://www.jobs2teach.doded.milis to provide referral service-to-service personnel to assist them in their pursuit of teaching as a second career. This successful program also helps in the placement of these individuals in areas of the greatest need. Troops to Teachers is a U.S. Department of Education and Department of Defense program that helps eligible military personnel begin a new career as teachers in public schools where their skills, knowledge and experience are most needed. Click here for the Troops To Teachers Home PageClick here to enter the Troops To Teachers Job Referral Site MILITARY EDUCATION Army Continuing Education System (ACES) The Army Continuing Education System (ACES) through its many programs promotes lifelong learning opportunities and sharpens the competitive edge of Army, 2010 and beyond. ACES is committed to excellence in service and innovation. You can earn a degree, obtain scholarships, and much more. For further information go to https://www.armyeducation.army.mil/. Guard and Reserve members are eligible to attend DOD professional education programs, services’ Command and Staff schools, and a broad spectrum of specialty field training schools. The Services’ Educational programs include many opportunities for Reservists. In 1983, the Vice Chief of Staff Army directed that the Army Continuing Education System (ACES) be opened to the Army Reserve and Army National Guard. This program is available to Army Reserve and National Guard members through their ESO. The Army National Guard and the Army Reserve offer the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) to members who enlist or extend in a unit or military occupation specialty established by the Secretary of the Army as bonus eligible. It repays 15 percent or $500 whichever is greater, each year on the outstanding balance for certain federal student loans plus annual interest. Up to $20,000 in loans may be repaid on the member’s behalf under this program. Guardsmen and Reservists in Arkansas, Iowa, Florida, Montana, Oregon, Massachusetts, West Virginia and Wyoming may take college-level exams at National Test Centers for a $10.00 administrative fee. For further eligibility requirements, contact the service representative in your area. Service Members Opportunity Colleges Army Degree (SOCAD) The Service Members Opportunity Colleges Army Degree (SOCAD) system consists of groups of accredited colleges and universities that offer job-related degree programs at the associate and bachelor’s degree level on or accessible to Army installations and communities. It is a system of college curriculum networks designed by SOC for Army soldiers and their family members. The SOC is adding a career option to SOCAD, which maximizes Army learning experiences and minimizes additional college study. This option is called the SOCAD Army Career Degree Program. SOCAD is the Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Army. It consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor’s degree programs on or accessible to Army installations worldwide. These colleges have joined together to form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others. This guarantees that Army students and their adult family members can continue toward completion of their degrees even though the Army may transfer them several times. There are also degrees available by distance learning that require no classroom residency. SOC Guard SOC Guard https://www.soc.aascu.org/socguard/Default.html, was established to foster partnerships in education in support of Army National Guard recruiting and retention activities. SOC Guard functions as the liaison between the higher education community and the Army National Guard. The SOC Guard project staff, in cooperation with the National Guard Bureau and National Guard strength maintenance and education services personnel within each state, provides ARNG soldiers with educational advice and coordinates with high schools and SOC colleges to help ARNG soldiers realize their full military and civilian potential by pursuing a college education and developing career plans. Additionally, SOC Guard encourages colleges and universities to apply for SOC membership, partner in education with the ARNG and further educational opportunities for Guard members. Reserve/Guard Activation and Mobilization SOC Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC) supports our service members called to active duty in the fight against global terrorism. In cooperation with the Department of Defense, we are providing assistance to activated Student-Reservists and the colleges/institutions in which they are enrolled. Included in this section is a checklist for Army National Guard soldiers who are currently attending college and have been called to active duty; sample letters to college and student loan administrators advising them of the student’s activation; and information on the disposition of MGIB benefits and student loans upon activation. In addition, we provide related Web links with valuable information to both students and college administrators. Policy letters and state laws addressing activation of student-Guard/Reservists include letters issued by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to their member institutions. Currently, Arkansas, New Jersey and Texas have a state law governing a call to active duty of students. Frequently Asked Questions about Service Members Opportunity Colleges (SOC) ARMY CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Army Civilian Personnel Online Department of the Army Civilian Personnel Online https://www.cpol.army.mil/index.html site is a tool for Army civilian personnel professionals, managers and employees and access to Army civilian employment, training and career opportunities. This site also allows you admittance to the Army civilian personnel library, Personnel Management Information and Support System (PERMISS), Position Description PD Library, and links to other civilian personnel information and sites. AIR FORCE CROSSROADS EDUCATION Welcome to the Education section of Air Force Crossroads https://www.afcrossroads.com/education/. Here you will find essential information on institutions, services, and resources from around the world. To get started, please choose from one of the categories below. English as a Second Language (ESL) Relocating with School-Age Children
Civilian Employee Training and Career Opportunities Information about civilian employee training and career opportunities can be found at https://www.afcrossroads.com/employment/sitemap_refresh.cfm?page=gov_af. AIR NATIONAL GUARD The Air National Guard provides access to all DANTES credit-by-examination programs, Community College of the Air Force Associate Degree programs, federal tuition assistance for AGR members, state education benefits for all members, and the Student Loan Repayment Program, which will repay up to $10,000 in student loans for enlisted members and up to $20,000 for medical officers. Spouse and Civilian Testing Program – Spouses of Air National Guard members and federal civilian employees are eligible to take CLEP general and subject examinations and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests free of charge at Reserve Component DANTES Test Centers (there is a minimal registration fee). For additional information on Air National Guard Voluntary Education Programs contact CMSgt Art Hafner, 3500 Fetchet Avenue, Andrews AFB, Maryland 20762-5157; DSN 278-8677, commercial 301-836-8677; e-mail: [email protected]. Alternate POC is MSgt Karen Peters, XXX-8672, e-mail: [email protected]. MILITARY FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER (MFRC) The Military Family Resource Center (MFRC) is a tool for enhancing the effectiveness of military family policy and programs. MFRC’s mission is to act as a catalyst of information between the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy (MCFP) office, military policy makers, and program staff, and to deliver timely, efficient, and effective information services through cutting-edge technology. HOW…through our E-mail alerts, we advise you of new publications and events. Review the Policy Information and Program Manager Resources sections of the MFRC Web site to learn of new policies and to obtain tools that will enhance your programs. Review our Research/Evaluation and Statistics sections for the latest on military family research and demographic and statistical information. You also have access to our military quality of life document collection and organizations database. Our Current Events section will keep you updated on the latest news, conferences, and special events, and visit our Networking/Partnerships area to keep in contact with colleagues and other organizations that work with military families and family programs. MFRC also incorporates the National Clearinghouse for the Military Child Development Program. The Clearinghouse was created by the Department of Defense in response to President Clinton’s urging that the lessons learned from the Military Child Development Program be widely shared with the rest of the nation to improve the quality of childcare in the United States. While this remains the central mission, the focus of the Clearinghouse has been expanded to include information on military youth programs. DOD VOLUNTARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS U.S. RESERVE FORCES Education programs for the Army National Guard can be accessed at: Army National Guard (ARNG) or Army National Guard Institute. MAPPING YOUR FUTURE Mapping Your Future is an award-winning public service Web site that provides college, career and financial aid information and services for schools, students, and families, and can be accessed at https://www.mapping-your-future.org/planning/. It can help you choose a career and then map out a plan to achieve your goal. Be sure to visit the Web sites of Mapping Your Future sponsors to learn more about the services and programs they offer. American Education Services (AES) – a division of PHEAA SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MILITARY CHILDREN PROGRAM OPENS NOV. 1 The 2003 Scholarships for Military Children program opens for business Nov. 1, with the essay topic “How has being the child of a military service member influenced your educational goals?” The Scholarships for Military Children program is administered by the nonprofit Fisher House Foundation, best known for building family comfort homes near military medical facilities. The program has awarded 920 scholarships and nearly $1.5 million in its first two years. Applications for the 2003 program can be downloaded from http//www.commissaries.com or http://www.fisherhouse.org starting Nov. 1. They can also be picked up at any commissary. The deadline for returning applications by hand or mail to a commissary is Feb. 21, 2003. The scholarship program is open to dependent unmarried children (under the age of 23) of active duty personnel, Reserve, Guard and retired military. Eligibility will be determined using the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) database. Applicants should ensure that they, as well as their sponsor, are currently enrolled in the DEERS database and that they have a current ID card. All applicants must be citizens of the United States. The applicant must be planning to attend, or already attending, an accredited college or university full-time in the fall term of 2003.
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