Many Military Occupations and Schools align closely with civilian education, experience, and training requirements, sometimes resulting in certifications. Implementing an Exception to Policy for cases where civilian skills directly correlate with MOS requirements could save significant training funds. This could involve abbreviated distance learning and/or testing to acquire military skill identifications. We should not limit this to specific trades like CDL or Journeyman but expand the discussion. For instance, a Soldier with nearly 20 years of experience owning and operating a fuel transportation company is still required to complete four weeks of MOS Qualification to become a certified Army fueler despite their extensive experience. While the COOL program helps Soldiers obtain civilian certifications, it doesn’t always translate into military certifications, highlighting the need for more flexible policies.

The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States strongly supports legislation and policy initiatives that aim to connect the civilian and military skill sets to provide training exemptions and/or certifications for service members.