Charter Oak and the Army

I'm trying to enlist in the Army. I have a GED, so I need 15 college credits. I have done the FEMA credits, payed Charter Oak, and received my official transcript. I've heard people get in this way, but after looking at my transcript I'm worried it won't get me through.

It has this thing that says: Any institution with this mark is not a traditional college or program. The program has been evaluated for college credit by the American Council on Education, NCCRS, Charter Oak State College, or a similar evaluation organization and approved by Charter Oak faculty for transfer credit.

The army says the following:
Courses below the 100:
level (refresher courses), credits awarded for life experience, and credits
earned online will not count towards the 15 credits

Are my credits 100 level, and how do I prove that if my recruiter gives me a hard time?
It doesn't say they are on the transcript just that they are 1 credit each etc, and that I passed.

I'm just worried I put 400 dollars down the drain and still won't be able to enlist?

 

The FEMA courses are definitely freshman level (if not higher), so in that aspect you should be ok. But the designation as online or not may be a bit of a concern. I recommend that you contact FEMA, COSC, and your local recruiter to inquire about it. I can only speak of my own service in the Air Force, but with some exceptions: there's probably a waiver in it somewhere.

I think you'll end up all right. Good luck. :drillsergeant:

 

Why do you need 15 credits to enlist in the Army? Are you trying to get stripes for college credits? Yes, FEMA is 100 level! Do well on the ASVAB! What MOS are you interested in? How do you prove it? Colleges don't award "credit" if it is less than 100 level. In other words, a 98 course would be zero credits so by virtue of you receiving credit it is 100 level or greater. I am concerned about the "online" thing although Charter Oak did not offer the course "online" so to speak, just awarded the credit based on your government issued FEMA transcript!

 

Probably because of the GED. I knew a guy who said the Marines wouldn't accept his Penn Foster high school diploma, so he started earning credits at a community college.

 

Those who only have a GED are categorically the most likely to fail to complete a full military enlistment tour and, as a result, the Pentagon barred GED applicants from enlisting, unless they have earned 15 college credits.

 

I believe you are just fine. You have a transcript with 15 credits. Any work which is not 100 level comes in as a 000 level. Good luck! My son who is homeschooled had a similar experience. He had some CLEPs, DSSTs and a couple of courses for 19 credits. We set up a credit bank at Excelsior, he sent the transcript; and problem solved.

 

Thank you everyone. Yes, I have a GED that is why. I can get E-3 if I have 48 or more, so I will probably join and then before I ship finish those to get E-3. I'm leaning towards combat engineer, or infantry. I want combat experience.

Does anyone have a list of all the fema credits for Charter Oak. I've emailed them, and they told me to just look at FAQ on the FEMA ISP site. I used the Fredrick Community college list because of this, but Charter Oak didn't put all of the ones I did on there. I don't want to be wasting my time with them. Any one have any insight on this?

 

If you speak Spanish, I would suggest taking the Defense Language exam, some schools offer credits for language as well! I was able to earn 16 credits in Spanish. Your MOS ambitions are awesome! If I may suggest, I would also form a picture of where and what you want to do after military life. Many of the MOS offerings are not only applicable to job skills after military service but also award college credits as well. Ask yourself, what are my long term goals when selecting an MOS?