Plan your education. If you are going to take classes while still in the military, visit the education counselor for your base or post and learn about the options available to you. They will give you an idea about how many credits you can expect to receive from your military training.
Request that your military transcripts be sent to all colleges for which you are applying. Army personnel can request transcripts through ARRTS. Navy and Marine Corps personnel can use a similar system called SMART. The Air Force uses the Community College of the Air Force. In most cases prior service members can also use these portals to request transcripts, but if you cannot, submit a DD-Form 295, Application for the Evaluation of Learning Experiences During Military Service, along with a certified copy of your DD-Form 214 to the school's admissions office.
Meet with your school's admissions counselor. They will evaluate your transcripts and advise you on what the school will accept and toward what classes they will apply it. Most of the credit will go towards fulfilling general education requirements, but if you received technical training in the military, you may receive credit for some upper-level classes as well.
Decide on a course of study that makes the best use of your military training. For example, if you were a Russian translator in the military, choosing a major in Russian will allow you to make the most of your military training.