In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation which requires public institutions of higher learning to grant academic credit to our military personnel. Representative Tim O’Neal has been a champion of this issue in the past, and, with his blessing, I am proud to re-introduce HB 388 of the 2021-22 legislative session.

Veterans and military personnel face too many obstacles, unique from their fellow students, especially when it comes to transitioning to civilian life. These individuals sacrifice so much to receive optimal training to defend this country.  We as a Commonwealth should step up to the plate by assisting our heroes in their transitions back to civilian life.

The men and women who serve in the United States Military are highly trained and professional individuals. Based on their military experiences and training, our military personnel and veterans may have college credit recommendations that can be applied towards a degree requirement or program of study.

The American Council on Education (ACE) works under a contract from the Department of Defense that is administered by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) to conduct and facilitate academic reviews of military courses and occupations.

Schools rely on ACE to review various types of military training and experience and recommend how to translate them into academic credits; however, as with transfers, each school makes the final decision on how much credit, if any, to award. These are recommendations, and schools choose whether or not to accept the recommendations made by ACE.

My proposal simply requires the public institutions to adopt a policy to award academic credit for military training, if it is recommended by a national higher education association, noted on the student’s military transcript or documented in writing by any of the armed forces of the United States.

Please join me in assisting our military personnel with their transitions to civilian life.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 2486: 51-75, P.L.1132, No.484
Printer's No. 3313: 51-75, P.L.1132, No.484