In 1942, the American Council on Education (ACE) was established to help members of the Army earn college credit for the time they have served. ACE evaluates a soldier's experience and creates transcripts of related experience and certifications, upon the soldier's request, to colleges and universities. The American Council on Education receives funding through the U.S. Department of Defense. DANTES, a program that prepares college credit level exams, coordinates the ACE military evaluation program.
Anyone who has served in the Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard is eligible to have a transcript of their services sent to a college of their choice. Any soldier who has obtained formal military education, as well as job experience, may have those services translated into college credits. The Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) will send an official transcript of your services to the college of your choice at no cost. The American Council on Education (ACE) will properly evaluate all transcripts before they are sent off.
Transcripts from AARTS that are sent to colleges and universities contain some of the following information: The highest-ranking status you have earned, all Army courses that have been formally evaluated by ACE, and any credit recommendations made by ACE. Other aspects of the transcript include your current Army status, be it active or inactive, and any military occupational specialties you may have obtained. Any Army soldier who has enlisted or served after Oct. 1, 1981, may request a transcript from AARTS.
The college level exam program (CLEP) allows soldiers in the Army to take exams as compared to classroom courses to achieve college credit and, eventually, earn degrees. CLEP exams can be used toward general education or specific subjects such as history, math or business. While CLEP is available to all citizens, those who have enlisted in the Army are allowed to take CLEP exams free of charge. CLEP exams allow Army soldiers to take college level exams without needing to be enrolled in any specific college.
While the American Council on Education may make recommendations to colleges and universities in regards to how your Army service should earn you college credit, legally they cannot force any college or university to grant you those credits. Colleges have the right to determine the amount of credit you will earn for your Army service, and under what category they will apply to. While some colleges and universities allow Army credits to be used in place of elective credits, other schools do not accept them at all.