Army Cool
March 12, 2024 2024-04-09 12:06Army Cool
Advance Your Career with the Army Credentialing Assistance Program
Earn in-demand IT certifications and secure your future through the Army COOL Assistance Program, designed for Army personnel ready to advance.
What is ARMY COOL
Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) is a website that provides information to Soldiers of all ranks about credentials related to their jobs including certifi¬cations, licenses, and apprenticeships.
- Provides background information about civilian certifi¬cations, licensure, examinations, and apprenticeships to include credential requirements and preparation resources.
- Speci¬es credentials relevant to Army MOSs.
- Provides information on resources available to Soldiers to facilitate credentialing.
- Identifies gaps between Army training and experience and civilian credentialing requirements and ways to bridge those gaps.
Overview
COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) helps Army service members find information on certifications and licenses related to their jobs and civilian careers. Use COOL to get background information on credentialing and find detailed information on:
- Credentials related to an Army Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
- Credentials related to Department of Labor (DOL) Job Families
- Credential requirements and potential gaps between Army training and civilian credentialing requirements
- Resources available to fill gaps between military training and civilian credentialing requirements
What is the purpose of the Army Credentialing Assistance / Army COOL program?
The goal of the Credentialing Assistance Program is to help Army service members get certifications and licenses. That can enhance their skills or assist them as they transition into the civilian workforce. To be more specific, they would help these service members find:
- Credentials related to an Army Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
- Credentials related to Civilian Occupations
- Credential requirements and potential gaps between Army training and civilian credentialing requirements
- Resources available to fill gaps between military training and civilian credentialing requirements
Courses Offered by CCS Learning Academy for ArmyCool
| Course Name | Credential |
| Certified in Governance Risk and Compliance (CGRC) | International Information System Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC2) |
| Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) | International Information System Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC2) |
| Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) | International Information System Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC2) |
| CSSLP – Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional | International Information System Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC2) |
| SSCP – Systems Security Certified Practitioner | International Information System Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC2 |
| CompTIA A+ Core-1 | Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) |
| CompTIA A+ Core-2 | Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) |
| CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+ | Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) |
| CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ | Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) |
| CompTIA Cloud+ | Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) |
| CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) | Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) |
| CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) | Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) |
| CompTIA Linux+ | Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) |
| CompTIA Network+ | Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) |
| CompTIA PenTest+ | Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) |
| CompTIA Project+ | Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) |
| CompTIA Security+ | Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) |
| CompTIA Server+ | Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) |
| Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) | International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) |
| EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (ECIH) | International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) |
| Certified Network Defender (CND) | International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) |
| Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) | International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) |
| Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) | International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) |
| CGEIT: Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT | ISACA |
| CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor | ISACA |
| CISM: Certified Information Security Manager | ISACA |
| CRISC: Certified Risk and Information Systems Control | ISACA |
| ITIL 4 Foundation Level | PeopleCert |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate | Microsoft Corporation |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate | Microsoft Corporation |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty | Microsoft Corporation |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate | Microsoft Corporation |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert | Microsoft Corporation |
| Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert | Microsoft Corporation |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate | Microsoft Corporation |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals | Microsoft Corporation |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate | Microsoft Corporation |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate | Microsoft Corporation |
| Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate | Microsoft Corporation |
| Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate | Microsoft Corporation |
| Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Solution Architect Expert | Microsoft Corporation |
| Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals | Microsoft Corporation |
| Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) | Project Management Institute (PMI) |
| PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) | Project Management Institute (PMI) |
| PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) | Project Management Institute (PMI) |
| PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) | Project Management Institute (PMI) |
| Project Management Professional (PMP) | Project Management Institute (PMI) |
| PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) | Project Management Institute (PMI) |
How can I request funding for a credential?
Step 2: Complete a CA Request
Once you have selected a credential, you need to complete a CA request.
You must submit a separate CA request for each course and/or exam required for a credential at least 45 days prior to the course or exam start date. The 45 days begin when you submit the request in ArmyIgnitED.
For detailed instructions on completing a CA request using ArmyIgnitED, download the Soldier CA Process Guide located on the Credentialing Assistance page .
Basic Steps
- Log into ArmyIgnitED. Click on “Education Programs” dropdown menu and click “Credentialing Assistance” from the left side menu, then “Explore Credentials” or “Education Goals” under the Tuition Assistance Request tab.
- Click on “Create New Goal” then select either Credentialing Assistance – MOS Related or Credentialing Assistance – Non MOS Related.
- Select your credential by typing in a keyword or search the options provided, click “Next”.
- Upload the custom quote provided by the vendor, then click “Submit Goal”. Once confirmed it will be routed to the ACAPO office for review and concurrence.
- Once concurrence from ACAPO on the Goal, click “Apply For Funding”.
- Review the User Agreement.
- Proceed with selecting your vendor, start and end date, training, exam, and/or books/materials and submit!
- Your CA request will route to ACAPO who will review your request. You will be contacted if there are any issues or questions with your request. You will be notified via ArmyIgnitED messaging once your CA request is approved. Most requests are processed no later than three days prior to your start date, so if you have not received a response prior to that, please submit a ArmyIgnitED Helpdesk ticket. All books/materials that are approved for funding will be sent directly to you.
NOTE: You do not pay anything out of pocket. The Army does NOT reimburse any credentialing related expenses.
Step 3: Complete Training or Exam
Complete Training or Exam
Once the CA Central Billing Office (CBO) approves the CA request for training, exam, recertification and/or materials/books for recertification, you will be enrolled in the approved course and will receive required course materials (if applicable).
Vendors must upload the grades within 30 days of the end date. If the vendor does not receive the results of the exam, it is the Soldier’s responsibility to upload the exam results into the ArmyIgnitED CA request.
NOTE: If the grade is not uploaded into your account, recoupment for CA costs requested on the CA request will be initiated with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).
Once you have taken the exam and received your results, go to Step 4: Report Results (after you have taken the exam and received your results)
Step 4: Report Your Results
The vendor must upload the grades within 30 days of the end date. If the vendor does not receive the results of the exam, it is the Soldier’s responsibility to upload the exam results into the ArmyIgnitED CA request.
NOTE: If proof is not uploaded into your account, recoupment for CA costs requested on the CA request will be initiated with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).
How do I sign up for training after I get the credentials at the Army Credentialing Assistance?
Please call 858-208-4141 or email us: sales@ccslearningacademy.com
ARMY COOL Benefits
Army Credentialing Assistance Program Funding provides qualifying soldiers to explore credentials recognized by the civilian community that can help the soldiers current performance in their Army job as well help prepare for civilian employment
Army Credentialing Assistance Program Funding is a tuition program that pays up to $4000.00 for training for all qualifying US Army soldiers
Use your Army Credentialing Assistance Program Funding to purchase expert Cybersecurity, IT and Professional Development training from CCS Learning Academy today!
CCS Learning Academy will accept all Army Credentialing Assistance Program Funding registrations.
Who decides on credentialing requirements?
Credentialing boards decide all the requirements for any licenses or certifications, which is usually a mix of a candidate’s education, training, work experience, exams, or other job-related requirements.
Who can participate in ArmyCOOL
Soldiers that are eligible: Regular Army, Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) pursuant to Title 10 and Title 32, U.S. Army Reserve (USAR), and Army National Guard (ARNG) in an active drilling status with a designation as satisfactory.
ArmyCOOL serves a variety of audiences
Soldiers who want to find out what civilian credentials apply to their MOS and how to obtain the credentials.
Education, Career/Retention and Transition Counselors who provide guidance on educational, professional growth, and career opportunities and requirements.
Army Recruiters who want to demonstrate to potential recruits the opportunities for professional growth and civilian career preparation provided in the Army.
Employers and Credentialing Boards interested in learning about how military training and experience prepares Soldiers for civilian credentials and jobs.
Army COOL FAQ
- Soldiers may use both Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) and Credentialing Assistance (CA); however, the combined usage shall not exceed $4,000 per FY.
- CA can be used for any credential listed on Army COOL: https://www.cool.osd.mil/army/index.htm
- CA will pay expenses for classroom, hands-on, online/blended training and associated materials to include: manuals, study guides, textbooks, processing fees, test fees, related fees for continuing education requirements, and recertification of credentials.
- For help you can contact sales@ccslearningacademy.com
The Department of Defense and the Department of the Army are neither affiliated with nor endorse CCS Learning Academy.
For more details please visit: https://www.cool.osd.mil/army/costs_and_funding/index.html?FAQs
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