Military Credentials Made Simple: Your Guide to the COOL Program

Last updated 6 days ago. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact information do change.

Military service provides world-class training and hands-on experience. But translating those skills into language that civilian employers understand remains a persistent challenge. The Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) program is the Department of Defense’s solution.

COOL is a comprehensive, DoD-wide initiative designed to help service members, veterans, and their families earn industry-recognized licenses, certifications, and apprenticeships.

These credentials serve dual purposes: they enhance professional qualifications while on active duty and provide verifiable, marketable skills critical for successful civilian transitions.

What COOL Does and Why It Matters

The Program’s Mission

COOL stands for Credentialing Opportunities On-Line. At its core, it’s a collection of service-specific websites and funding programs that help military personnel map their occupational training to civilian professional credentials. The program has analyzed military career fields and linked them to over 1,700 distinct civilian credentials, with that number continuously expanding.

The program serves two critical functions:

In-service professionalization provides pathways to earn current, industry-recognized credentials. This improves job performance and can contribute to career advancement and promotion points.

Civilian transition readiness gives departing service members direct ways to acquire tangible documentation of skills, making them more competitive and career-ready for civilian job markets.

COOL’s establishment represents a significant evolution in military personnel management. It acknowledges that service members’ long-term career potential, including success after leaving uniform, is key to maintaining a healthy all-volunteer force.

Who Can Use COOL

While primarily designed for active service members, the COOL ecosystem provides valuable resources for diverse users:

Service members use their branch-specific COOL website to explore, apply for, and receive funding for credentials.

Veterans can use COOL portals as research tools to see how military occupations translate to civilian jobs, identify credentials they may be partially qualified for, and find information on using benefits like the GI Bill.

Recruiters and counselors leverage COOL to provide informed guidance on professional development. Recruiters use it as a powerful tool to show potential enlistees tangible career preparation opportunities available through military service.

Future service members and families can explore how specific military jobs align with civilian career paths and see types of professional credentials they could earn while serving.

Employers use COOL websites to better understand military training pipelines. The “military learning crosswalk” feature helps them assess skills and qualifications veteran applicants bring, demystifying military job titles and experience.

Credentialing organizations can work with DoD to align their credentials with military occupations and get them approved for funding through programs like COOL and the GI Bill.

The Legal Foundation

The COOL program is formally established by DoD Instruction 1322.33, “DoD Credentialing Programs.” This comprehensive policy, effective October 13, 2021, provides the framework, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for all military credentialing initiatives.

A critical component is the Inter-Services Credentialing Opportunities Online Working Group (ICOOLWG), which coordinates the program and promotes consistency across military branches. The instruction defines key terms like “certification,” “license,” and “apprenticeship,” ensuring common vocabulary across services.

Importantly, the policy stipulates that any credential listed on a COOL website is cleared for funding, though final decisions and funding mechanisms remain at each military department’s discretion.

How Each Branch Differs

The significant differences in how each branch administers COOL reflect distinct operational cultures, scales, and bureaucratic structures. The Army’s highly centralized ArmyIgnitED portal manages the immense scale of the force, while the Navy’s voucher system suggests a more decentralized approach. The Air Force’s lifetime funding cap encourages long-range career planning, and the Coast Guard’s reimbursement model provides flexibility but places initial financial burden on members.

High-Value Credentials Available

The concept of “credentials” becomes tangible when looking at high-value, in-demand certifications available through COOL. These aren’t obscure qualifications but respected industry standards leading directly to professional careers.

Army COOL: Comprehensive Guide for Soldiers

The Army’s COOL program helps Soldiers translate their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) into civilian success. The program is accessed through the Army COOL website, which serves as the central information hub. The actual funding mechanism, known as Credentialing Assistance (CA), is managed through the ArmyIgnitED portal.

Mapping Your MOS to Civilian Credentials

A primary function of the Army COOL website is providing a “military learning crosswalk,” allowing Soldiers to see direct mapping of credentials related to their specific MOS. Using the “Explore Military Occupations” tool, Soldiers can find certifications aligning with skills and training they’ve already received.

However, a significant advantage of the Army’s program is its flexibility. Soldiers aren’t restricted to pursuing credentials within their MOS—they’re free to request CA funding for any credential listed anywhere on the Army COOL site, opening vast career development opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for the Army CA program is broad and encompasses most of the force.

Who is eligible:

• Regular Army (Active Duty)
• Active Guard Reserve (AGR) personnel under Title 10 and Title 32
• U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) members in active drilling status
• Army National Guard (ARNG) members in active drilling status

Basic requirements:

• Enlisted Soldiers become eligible after completing Basic Combat Training (BCT)
• Officers become eligible after graduating from Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC)

Who is NOT eligible:

• Family members and spouses (they’re directed to other resources like Military OneSource for spouse-specific licensing reimbursement programs)
• Veterans who have separated from service

Funding Details

The Army’s CA program provides significant financial assistance under specific rules and caps that Soldiers must understand.

Annual cap: Soldiers may receive up to $2,000 per fiscal year specifically for Credentialing Assistance.

Shared cap with Tuition Assistance: This is critical. The CA program shares a combined fiscal year funding limit with the traditional Tuition Assistance program. The total amount a Soldier can receive from both programs combined cannot exceed $4,500 per fiscal year. If a Soldier uses $3,000 in TA for college courses, they’ll only have $1,500 remaining for CA benefits in that same fiscal year.

What’s covered: CA funding is comprehensive and can pay for classroom or online training courses, required textbooks and study materials, application fees, examination fees, and costs associated with recertification.

Payment method: The Army pays approved vendors directly through its financial system. Soldiers must not pay for any expenses out of pocket. The program is not reimbursement-based, and any funds paid by Soldiers will not be returned.

The Application Process

All requests for Army Credentialing Assistance must be processed through the ArmyIgnitED portal. The process is detailed and requires careful attention to timelines.

Find and Select a Credential

The journey begins on the Army COOL website. Soldiers should thoroughly research available credentials, identify one meeting career goals, and find an approved vendor offering necessary training or exams.

Fulfill First-Time User Requirements

Before their first CA request can be processed, new users must complete two prerequisite actions: complete the standardized CA training module within ArmyIgnitED and use the MilGears decision support tool to create a career plan. After completing these steps, Soldiers must contact the CA Virtual Counseling Cell via the Army COOL website to have their account unlocked for funding requests.

Create an Education Goal

Inside the portal, Soldiers must create a new “Education Goal” and specifically select “Credentialing Assistance” as the goal type.

Submit a CA Request

For each individual course or exam, a separate CA request must be submitted. This request must be submitted at least 30 to 45 business days before the scheduled start date. The request must include a detailed, itemized quote from the chosen vendor matching the requested items and costs.

Await Approval and Enrollment

The request is routed through an approval chain. Once the Army’s Central Billing Office (CBO) approves and funds the request, the vendor is notified. Soldiers are then officially enrolled in courses, and any approved books or materials are shipped directly to them.

Complete Training and Report Results

Soldiers are responsible for completing training and taking exams. While vendors typically upload course completion grades, it’s ultimately Soldiers’ responsibility to ensure final exam results (pass or fail) are uploaded into their ArmyIgnitED record to close out requests.

The structured, centralized nature of the ArmyIgnitED system is a logical necessity for managing a program of this scale. It ensures standardized financial tracking and accountability. However, this centralization can create bureaucratic friction. The required 30-45 day lead time for applications and the system’s unforgiving nature—where minor errors can cause significant delays—highlight gaps between the program’s stated accessibility goals and administrative realities.

Key Policy Changes

In late 2024, the Army implemented significant policy changes to the CA program via ALARACT 099/2024. These changes reflect strategic efforts to manage the program’s budget and ensure resources are used effectively, particularly after observing high utilization in expensive fields like aviation flight training.

Navy COOL: Charting Your Course to Certification

The Navy’s COOL program, accessible at the Navy COOL website, is a mature and deeply integrated component of Sailors’ career development toolkit. It helps Sailors and Officers map their Navy Rating, Designator, or collateral duties to valuable civilian credentials. The program is distinguished by its voucher-based funding system and close ties to foundational career management tools like Learning and Development Roadmaps (LaDRs) and Occupational and Readiness Standards (OaRS).

Connecting Your Rating to Credentials

Navy COOL provides direct crosswalks from Sailors’ jobs to relevant certifications. By selecting their specific Rating (for enlisted) or Designator (for officers), members can see curated lists of related national certifications, federal and state licenses, and apprenticeship programs.

The program’s integration with LaDRs, which are mandatory career guides for every Sailor (OPNAVINST 1500.77A), embeds credentialing as a standard milestone in professional advancement rather than just an optional benefit. This structure suggests the Navy views credentialing as a core element of its professionalization strategy.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for Navy COOL funding is contingent on both Navy policy and specific credentialing agency requirements.

Who is eligible: Active Duty and Reserve Component Sailors and Officers (excluding Individual Ready Reserve) are eligible to participate. Recent policy updates have expanded funding opportunities for Prior Enlisted Officers (PEOs).

Service requirements: Sailors must have a minimum of six months remaining on their service obligation when they receive funded certification. Waivers may be considered for those nearing retirement or separating due to combat-related injury.

Command approval and performance standards: All funding requests must be approved by the member’s command (typically E-7 or above). Commands must certify that Sailors have:

• Passed their most recent physical fitness assessment
• Not received non-judicial punishment in the last six months
• Were recommended for advancement on their latest evaluation
• Documented competency in the area related to the credential being sought

How Navy Vouchers Work

The Navy utilizes a voucher-based system for funding, meaning the Navy pays credentialing agencies or test vendors directly on Sailors’ behalf.

Funding model: Instead of reimbursement or lifetime caps, the Navy issues one government voucher per certification attempt.

What’s covered: The program funds credentialing exam fees and recertification or maintenance fees. It generally doesn’t cover preparatory training or study materials, though other resources like Navy eLearning may be available.

Failed attempts: If members fail funded exams, subsequent attempts for that same credential are at their own expense.

Funding availability: Funding is discretionary and not an entitlement. It’s typically handled on a first-come, first-served basis each fiscal year until funds are exhausted.

Cyber Workforce focus: A notable aspect of Navy COOL is its strong focus on the DoD Cyber Workforce. Personnel in CWF-coded billets have specific, often mandatory, credentialing requirements funded through the program, highlighting this field’s critical nature for naval operations.

The Application Process

The Navy COOL process is a straightforward, four-step journey requiring coordination between Sailors, their commands, and the Navy COOL office.

Find and Select Related Credentials

Using the Navy COOL website, Sailors research credentials mapped to their rating, designator, or other qualifications. They must verify they meet credentialing agency eligibility criteria before proceeding.

Complete Funding Request

Sailors download the “Certification and Licensure Funding Request Form” (OPNAV 1500/57) from the Navy COOL website. After filling it out, the form is submitted through their chain of command for approval. The command-approved form is then emailed or faxed to the Navy COOL Program Office at [email protected].

Get Credential

Sailors must wait until they receive email from Navy COOL confirming the voucher has been funded. Under no circumstances should members register for or take exams before receiving this confirmation. Once funding is confirmed, Navy COOL provides instructions for contacting test vendors to schedule and take exams.

Report Results

Whether they pass or fail, Sailors must report exam results to the Navy COOL Program Office via email. For successful attempts, Sailors should also take steps to have new credentials added to their Joint Service Transcript (JST) to officially document their achievement.

Essential Resources

Beyond the core credentialing process, Navy COOL connects Sailors to other vital career development tools:

LaDRs/OaRS: Learning and Development Roadmaps (LaDRs) and Occupational and Readiness Standards (OaRS) are detailed guides for each rating outlining training, education, and professional milestones, including recommended credentials.

USMAP: The United Services Military Apprenticeship Program allows Sailors to formally document on-the-job training hours to earn Department of Labor Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship, another valuable credential.

Marine Corps COOL: Tactical Guide for Marines

The Marine Corps COOL program, accessible at the Marine Corps COOL website, was formally established in October 2014 through MARADMIN 518/14 to provide Marines clear paths for translating their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) into valuable civilian credentials. The program operates in partnership with the Navy’s well-established COOL infrastructure and reflects the Marine Corps’ ethos of fiscal discipline and individual responsibility.

Translating Your MOS into Marketable Skills

The primary function of Marine Corps COOL is serving as an information and awareness resource, showing Marines how their specific MOS training and experience align with civilian certifications and licenses. The website provides direct mapping for every MOS in the Marine Corps, from infantry to logistics to cyber operations.

Unlike some other services, the program’s focus is tightly coupled to Marines’ occupational fields, emphasizing enhancement of skills directly relevant to their duties. This approach reinforces the idea that the program’s main objective is improving the current force’s professionalism, with civilian transition readiness being a valuable intended consequence.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for funding through Marine Corps COOL is specific and requires command verification.

Who is eligible: The program is primarily for active-duty enlisted Marines and Marine Corps Reserve members on active orders. Funding for officers and government civilians is generally restricted to those in mandatory cyber-coded billets as part of the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework.

Service requirements: A recent policy change suspended the previous six-month service obligation requirement. Marines may now receive credential funding support up to 60 days prior to separation, provided all exam and reporting requirements are completed before that deadline.

Command approval and performance standards: All funding requests must be validated and approved by command approvers (E-7/W-1/O-1/GS-9 or above). Commands must certify that Marines have:

• Passed their most recent Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Combat Fitness Test (CFT)
• Not received non-judicial punishment within the past six months
• Are recommended for or eligible for promotion
• Eligibility generally tied to Primary MOS (PMOS) or leadership credentials for those E-4 and above

What the Corps Covers

The Marine Corps funding model is precise and places strong emphasis on self-preparation, a philosophy consistent with the service’s culture.

Funding model: The program uses a voucher system, similar to the Navy, where the Marine Corps pays vendors directly for approved fees. There’s no specified annual or lifetime cap; funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis each fiscal year until the budget is exhausted.

What’s covered: Marine Corps COOL funding explicitly covers credential exam fees, recertification fees, and mandatory maintenance fees.

What’s NOT covered: The program doesn’t fund any form of training, preparatory courses, study materials, or books. The responsibility for preparing for exams rests entirely with individual Marines.

No reimbursement: Marines must receive approved funding requests before taking exams. The program will not reimburse for any fees paid out-of-pocket.

The Application Process

The process for obtaining credentials through Marine Corps COOL is a clear, four-step mission.

Find and Select Credentials

Using the Marine Corps COOL website, Marines identify credentials mapping to their MOS and verify they meet credentialing agency requirements.

Complete a Funding Request

Marines download, complete, and obtain command approval on the Certification and Licensure Funding Request Form. The approved form is then submitted to the Marine Corps COOL Program Office via email at [email protected]. It’s crucial to contact testing agencies beforehand to confirm exam availability.

Get a Credential

Marines must wait for confirmation that funding has been approved and vouchers have been issued. Once funding is in place, Marines contact credentialing organizations to schedule and take exams.

Report Your Results

After taking exams, Marines must report results—pass or fail—to the Marine Corps COOL office, their supervisor, and their local approving official to ensure proper record-keeping.

Air Force & Space Force COOL: Aim High with Professional Credentials

The Department of the Air Force provides a joint Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (AFCOOL) program for both Airmen and Guardians, managed through the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC). This program is distinguished by its flexibility in what it funds and its unique use of a lifetime monetary cap, which encourages members to be strategic in their professional development choices.

Aligning Your AFSC with Industry Certifications

The AFCOOL portal allows enlisted Airmen and Guardians to explore and pursue civilian certifications and licenses aligning with their Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC). The program is designed to enhance their skills for active-duty roles and simultaneously prepare them for seamless transitions into civilian workforces.

While credentials related to members’ primary AFSC are the main focus, the program offers significant flexibility, allowing members to pursue credentials unrelated to their AFSC or related to academic degrees they’ve earned.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for the AFCOOL program is specific to enlisted members of the Air Force, Space Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard.

Who is eligible: The program is for Total Force Enlisted members, including Regular Air Force (RegAF), U.S. Space Force (USSF), Air Force Reserve (AFRES), and Air National Guard (ANG) personnel.

Service requirements: Reserve and Guard members must be on Title 10 or Title 32 (502F) active-duty orders for the entire duration of the credentialing process. Members must obtain supervisor approval and complete the entire credential while on active-duty status.

Performance and skill level standards: Members must:

• Possess at least a 5-skill level in their Primary AFSC
• Not have an Unfavorable Information File (UIF), be on a Control Roster, or have a non-current fitness test at time of application
• Separated, retired, or commissioned members are ineligible, and any pending funding requests will be canceled upon these events

The $4,500 Lifetime Cap

The AF/SF COOL program’s funding structure is unique among services. Instead of annual limits, it provides career-spanning budgets.

Funding model: Each eligible Airman and Guardian has a lifetime cap of $4,500 to spend on credentialing activities. This model requires members to think strategically about how they use benefits over career courses, prioritizing higher-value credentials.

What’s covered: The program is one of the most generous in scope, funding not only exam fees but also preparatory courses, training, books, and study materials. Funding for study materials is limited to $500 per credential goal.

Payment method: The Air Force pays approved vendors directly. Members should not pay out-of-pocket.

Recoupment policy: The program has strict accountability policies. While members typically aren’t required to reimburse funds for failed AFSC-related exams, they will be required to reimburse the government for total costs (training, materials, and exam) if they fail exams for non-AFSC-related or degree-related credentials. This places high degrees of responsibility on members when using the program’s most flexible options.

Application Guide

All AFCOOL activities are managed through the AFVEC portal. The process involves creating goals, getting supervisor approval, and submitting funding requests.

Research and Create an Education Goal

Members research credentials on the AFCOOL site and, once choices are made, log into AFVEC to create “Education Goals.” These goals must be approved by members’ supervisors before any funding can be requested.

Apply for Funding

Once goals are approved, members return to AFVEC to create funding requests. Separate requests must be made for each item (e.g., one for prep courses, one for study materials, one for exams). These requests must be submitted no earlier than 60 days and no later than 30 days before course or exam start dates.

Supervisor and CPO Approval

Funding requests are electronically routed to supervisors. If supervisors approve them, requests are sent to the AFCOOL Program Office (CPO) for final verification and processing.

Funding and Enrollment

If CPO approves requests, they’re sent to purchasing agents who pay vendors directly. Members are notified via AFVEC and can then schedule their training or exams.

Complete and Report Grades

Members must complete credentialing processes and ensure final grades or exam results are reported back to AFCOOL within required timeframes to close out goals.

Policy and Resources

The AFCOOL program is governed by DoD Instruction 1322.33 and further detailed in Department of the Air Force Instruction (DAFI) 36-2683. The most practical resource for members is the official AFCOOL Handbook, which is updated regularly and provides clear, step-by-step guidance on using benefits.

Coast Guard COOL: Always Ready Service Members

The U.S. Coast Guard COOL program, accessible at the Coast Guard COOL website, provides pathways for members to earn valuable civilian credentials supporting both their service careers and future transitions. Governed by COMDTINST 1540.10, the program is notable for its broad eligibility—which includes civilian employees—and its use of a reimbursement-based funding model.

Matching Your Rating to Civilian Licenses

Like its DoD counterparts, CG COOL allows members to explore credentials related to their specific rating, collateral duties, or out-of-rate assignments. The program is a key component of the Voluntary Credentialing Program (VCP) and helps members identify and fill gaps between their Coast Guard training and requirements for civilian licenses and certifications.

A significant focus of the program is on credentials related to the maritime industry, such as the Military to Mariner (M2M) initiative, which helps members obtain Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC).

Eligibility Across the Force

The Coast Guard’s program features some of the most inclusive eligibility criteria among services.

Who is eligible: The VCP is available to eligible Active Duty and Selected Reserve (SELRES) members (both enlisted and officers), as well as General Schedule (GS) and Wage Grade (WG) civilian employees of the Coast Guard. This inclusion of civilian employees is a major distinction from DoD branches and reflects a “total workforce” approach to professional development.

Service requirements:

• Uniformed members must have at least six months remaining on their service obligation
• Civilian employees must have at least 90 days of continuous service and have received ratings of “Achieved Expectations” or higher on their most recent performance appraisals

Performance and conduct standards: All personnel must:

• Be in compliance with weight standards and have no recent misconduct
• For enlisted members: be marked as “Ready” or “Not Ready” for advancement on their most recent Enlisted Employee Review (EER)
• All requests require command approval from Education Services Officers (ESO) or supervisors

Funding and Reimbursement

The Coast Guard’s funding mechanism is a reimbursement model, which places initial financial responsibility on members.

Funding model: Members must first pay for approved credentialing fees out-of-pocket and then submit claims for reimbursement.

Annual cap: Eligible members may be reimbursed up to a maximum of $4,500 per fiscal year. Funding is provided on a first-come, first-served basis until annual budgets are depleted.

What’s covered: Credentialing Assistance (CA) can reimburse members for wide ranges of expenses, including training courses, exams, books, study guides, application fees, and state license fees, provided credentials are listed on the CG COOL website.

What’s NOT covered: Reimbursement is not authorized for credentials not listed on CG COOL or for any fees incurred before receiving official CA authorization from the Education and Training Quota Management Command (ETQC).

The Application and Reimbursement Process

All applications for Coast Guard CA are processed through the MyCG Ed portal. The process involves getting pre-approval, paying for expenses, and submitting claims.

Find and Select Credentials

Members meet with their Education Services Officers (ESO) to research and select approved credentials from the CG COOL website.

Request Approval via MyCG Ed

Members submit CA applications electronically through the MyCG Ed portal at least 14 days prior to exam or training dates. Applications are routed to their ESO for command approval and then to ETQC for final authorization.

Pay for Approved Fees and Request Reimbursement

After receiving CA authorization from ETQC, members pay for approved fees. They must then upload completed and signed Claims for Reimbursement (OF-1164) along with itemized receipts to the MyCG Ed portal within 30 days of payment.

Get a Credential

With authorization in hand, members complete credentialing requirements, such as taking exams or submitting application packages to credentialing agencies.

Report Results

Within 30 days of attainment, members must upload legible copies of exam results and completed credentials to the MyCG Ed portal. This final step is necessary to close out applications and ensure achievements are recorded in official records.

Key Policies and Pilot Programs

The Coast Guard periodically updates its VCP policy through ALCOAST messages. A notable recent development was a pilot program to expand CA funding to cover training courses, particularly for the Military to Mariner program, with intent to eventually cover training for all credentials listed on CG COOL. This indicates movement toward more comprehensive benefits, similar to Army and Air Force models.

Related Programs and Resources

The COOL program doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s part of a larger ecosystem of educational and transitional benefits available to service members and veterans. Understanding how these programs interact is key to maximizing their value.

GI Bill for Licensing and Certification

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers benefits through the GI Bill that can be used for credentialing, serving as powerful supplements or alternatives to COOL.

Who can use it: Veterans and eligible service members covered under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, or Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance can use this benefit.

What it covers: The GI Bill can reimburse individuals for licensing and certification test fees up to $2,000 per test. There’s no limit to the number of tests individuals can take, as long as they have remaining entitlement. It also covers preparatory courses for approved tests.

How it complements COOL: Service members could use their branch’s COOL program for one credential and the GI Bill for another. Veterans no longer eligible for COOL can rely entirely on the GI Bill to continue professional development. Information on applying can be found on the VA’s education benefits website.

Transition Assistance Program

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is a mandatory, interagency program for all service members separating or retiring from the military. It’s a cooperative effort between DoD, VA, Department of Labor, and other agencies to prepare individuals for civilian life.

Program components: TAP includes individualized counseling, VA benefits briefings, and DOL-led employment readiness workshops.

Connection to COOL: The COOL program is a practical tool directly supporting TAP objectives. While TAP provides the “how-to” of job searching and transition, COOL provides the “what”—tangible, industry-recognized credentials that make service members’ resumes stand out to civilian employers. Completing credentials through COOL is one of the most effective ways to prepare for TAP’s employment portion.

United Services Military Apprenticeship Program

USMAP is a formal apprenticeship program allowing service members to document on-the-job training hours toward earning nationally recognized Certificates of Completion of Apprenticeship from the Department of Labor.

How it works: While performing regular duties, service members enrolled in USMAP log work hours in approved trades. Once they complete required hours, they receive journeyman-level credentials.

Connection to COOL: USMAP is another form of credentialing. COOL websites often list related USMAP apprenticeships alongside certifications and licenses for given military occupations, providing members with another path to document their skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What’s the difference between a “certification” and a “certificate”?

This is a critical distinction. A certification is a credential granted by a non-governmental body after individuals prove they meet predetermined standards, usually by passing rigorous exams. It’s occupationally focused and time-limited. A certificate is typically issued for completing courses or training programs and is educationally focused. COOL programs fund certifications and licenses, not certificates of completion.

Can I get a credential not related to my military job?

This depends entirely on your branch of service:

• Army: Yes. Soldiers can use Credentialing Assistance for any credential listed on the Army COOL site, regardless of their MOS.
• Air Force/Space Force: Yes. Members can pursue one credential unrelated to their AFSC and one related to academic degrees during their careers.
• Navy & Marine Corps: Generally, no. Funding is typically restricted to credentials directly mapped to members’ rating, designator, or MOS.
• Coast Guard: Yes. Members can apply for credentials not related to their rating.

Eligibility Questions

Are military officers eligible for COOL?

Yes, in most branches. The Army, Navy, and Coast Guard explicitly include officers in their eligibility criteria. The Marine Corps generally limits officer funding to those in mandatory cyber billets. The Air Force and Space Force program is for enlisted members only.

Are veterans or family members eligible for COOL funding?

No. The active-duty funding programs are for currently serving members. Veterans must use other benefits like the GI Bill. Spouses have separate programs, such as MyCAA or state-level license transfer assistance, which can be found through resources like Military OneSource.

Funding Questions

Does COOL pay for training courses or just the exam?

This is a key difference between services:

• Army, Air Force/Space Force, and Coast Guard: Yes, these branches can fund preparatory training courses in addition to exams.
• Navy and Marine Corps: No, these branches generally only fund exams and maintenance fees, not training to prepare for them.

What happens if I fail an exam?

Generally, COOL will pay for first exam attempts. If you fail, you’re typically responsible for paying for re-takes out of your own pocket. The Air Force has a stricter policy for non-AFSC related credentials, where failures require members to reimburse the government for all associated costs, including training.

Will I be reimbursed if I pay for an exam myself?

• Coast Guard: Yes. Their program is built on a reimbursement model.
• All other branches: No. These branches use direct-pay or voucher systems. You must get funding approved before incurring any costs. You will not be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses.

Process Questions

How long does the approval process take?

It can be slow, and members are strongly advised to plan ahead. The Army requires requests to be submitted 30-45 business days in advance. The Air Force has a 30-60 day submission window. User feedback suggests these aren’t worst-case scenarios and that the process can be slow and prone to delays, especially if there are errors in applications.

Who is my command approver?

This varies. It could be your direct supervisor, a designated command representative (E-7 or above), your Education Services Officer (ESO), or, for cyber personnel, a Command Cyberspace Workforce Program Manager (CWF-PM). You must identify the correct approver for your unit and branch.

The COOL program represents one of the military’s most valuable but underutilized benefits. For service members serious about their professional development and civilian transition success, understanding and leveraging COOL can make the difference between hoping employers recognize your military skills and proving those skills with industry-standard credentials they already understand and value.

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