Department of Defense COOL

We have proudly participated in the U.S. Military Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) and Credentialing Assistance (CA) programs since 2020. The CA programs in the Army, Air Force (including Space Force), and Coast Guard fund both certification exams and exam prep training for specific MOSs and paygrades. The Navy and Marine Corps do not fund exam prep training for any certifications. Unlike the GI Bill program, which is well-funded and governed by federal laws, the military COOL programs are not administered uniformly across the military services. More importantly, they are subject to routine rule changes and budget cuts implemented by bureaucrats.

In order to apply for U.S. Army COOL, U.S. Air Force COOL, and MyCAA you must create an account with the Academic Institution Portal.

You are creating an account for YOUR organization. You are NOT adding your organization under the Resilience-Building Leader Program^®.

Click Here: Academic Institution Portal

U.S. Army Credentialing Assistance

The purpose of the Army Credentialing Assistance Program is to provide funding and support for eligible soldiers to obtain industry recognized credentials. This program contributes to improving Total Army readiness, supporting soldiers’ professional development, retaining quality soldiers, and preparing soldiers for meaningful employment upon transition from military service. Soldiers can use the funding for training, books, mandatory fees, materials, exams, and recertification. The program does not have to align with a soldier’s Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), and soldiers can request funding for credentials listed in Army COOL. The program aims to enhance soldiers’ skills and qualifications, making them more competitive in the civilian job market.

The mandatory items needed to participate in the CA program are:

CAGE Code: The CAGE Code is a unique identifier assigned to entities doing business with the federal government. It must be obtained from SAM.GOV (System for Award Management). The CA program requires vendors to have a CAGE Code to participate.
Business License: Vendors must upload their business license, which verifies their legal authorization to operate as a business entity. The license should include the expiration date.

These two items, the CAGE Code and Business License, are essential for vendors to establish their eligibility and credibility to participate in the CA program. It is important to note that while these are the mandatory items, there may be additional requirements when completing the application process.

To establish a vendor/user account, the following information is required:

Institution Name: The name of the vendor’s institution or organization.
Tax Status: The vendor needs to select their tax status, such as non-profit or for-profit.
Teaching Method: The vendor needs to select the teaching method they employ, such as online, in-person, or a combination.
Vendor Mailing Address: The vendor needs to provide their mailing address.
Business License and Expiration Date: The vendor needs to upload their business license, which verifies their legal authorization to operate as a business entity. The license should include the expiration date.
Cage Code and Expiration Date: The vendor needs to provide their CAGE Code, which is a unique identifier assigned to entities doing business with the federal government. The CAGE Code must be obtained from SAM.GOV. The expiration date of the CAGE Code should also be provided.

Additionally, vendors are required to add all the courses and/or exams they wish to offer for the CA program, including the prices for each.

Once the necessary information is provided and the user agreement and DOA MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) are reviewed and agreed upon, the vendor/user account can be submitted for further processing.

The eligibility criteria for Soldiers to use Credentialing Assistance (CA) are as follows:

Regular Army, Army National Guard, United States Army Reserve: Soldiers from these components are eligible to participate in the CA program.
Officers: Commissioned officers in the Army are eligible for CA.
Warrant Officers: Warrant officers in the Army are eligible for CA.
Noncommissioned Officers: Noncommissioned officers (NCOs) in the Army are eligible for CA.
Enlisted: Enlisted soldiers in the Army are eligible for CA.
Fiscal Year Limit: Eligible soldiers may use both Tuition Assistance (TA) and CA, but the combined funding cannot exceed the fiscal year limit of $4000.
Covered Expenses: CA can be used to pay for various expenses related to training and credentialing, including training fees, books, mandatory fees, materials, exams, and recertification.
No Alignment with MOS: CA does not have to align with a soldier’s Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Soldiers can pursue credentials outside of their MOS.
Credentials Listed in Army COOL: Soldiers can only request CA funding for credentials that are listed in Army COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line). Army COOL serves as a repository for all the credentials that soldiers are authorized to pursue.
Reimbursement: Soldiers will not receive reimbursement for any out-of-pocket costs paid. The CA program covers the approved expenses directly.

It is important to note that these eligibility criteria are specific to the Army Credentialing Assistance Program and may vary for other military branches or programs.

The above information was current at the time of publication. For current information please visit: https://www.cool.osd.mil/army/index.html

United States Air Force Credentialing Assistance (CA)

The United States Air Force Credentialing Assistance (CA) program is designed to support active-duty Airmen and Guardians in pursuing professional certifications and licenses. This program is part of the Air Force’s commitment to helping its personnel develop skills that are valuable both within the military and in civilian careers.

Key Features of the Credentialing Assistance Program

Eligibility:
Who Can Apply: Active-duty Airmen and Guardians, including Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members on Title 10 orders.
Service Requirements: Typically, participants must have completed their initial training and be in good standing.
Covered Costs:
Tuition and Fees: Covers the cost of tuition, books, supplies, and other fees associated with obtaining a credential.
Exam Fees: Includes the cost of examinations required to earn a certification or license.
Study Materials: Funding can be used for study guides, practice tests, and other preparatory materials.
Types of Credentials:
Professional Certifications: Includes a wide range of professional certifications from various industries, such as Leadership, IT, healthcare, business, and skilled trades.
Licenses: Covers occupational licenses that may be required for specific jobs in civilian sectors.
Apprenticeships: Supports certain apprenticeship programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials.
Application Process:
Research: Airmen and Guardians should start by researching the credentials they are interested in. Resources such as the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC) provide a list of approved credentials.
Approval: Before applying, service members must receive approval from their supervisors and education office.
Submission: Applications are submitted through the AFVEC portal, where participants can also track their application status and manage their credentialing assistance requests.
Program Benefits:
Career Advancement: Credentials can enhance a service member’s military career and increase opportunities for promotion and special assignments.
Civilian Transition: Provides valuable skills and qualifications that can ease the transition to civilian careers after military service.
Personal Development: Encourages lifelong learning and professional development, contributing to personal growth and job satisfaction.
Restrictions and Considerations:
Funding Limits: There may be annual caps on the amount of funding available per service member.
Program Requirements: Participants must complete their credentialing program within the timelines set by the program and adhere to all guidelines and regulations.

How a Company Becomes a Vendor

Eligibility Criteria:
Reputation: The company must have a solid reputation for providing quality education, training, or certification services.
Accreditation: For educational institutions, accreditation by a recognized accrediting body may be required.
Registration Process:
SAM Registration: Companies must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) at SAM.gov. This is a federal requirement for any company looking to do business with the U.S. government.
DUNS Number: Obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, which is a unique identifier for businesses.
CAGE Code: After registering with SAM, companies will receive a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, which is necessary for doing business with the Department of Defense.
Application Submission:
Proposal Submission: Submit a proposal detailing the services you offer, including course descriptions, pricing, and any relevant accreditation or certification.
Approval Process: The proposal will be reviewed by the relevant Air Force office. This may include a review of the company’s financial stability, service quality, and compliance with federal regulations.

Conclusion

The United States Air Force Credentialing Assistance program is a valuable resource for Airmen and Guardians seeking to advance their careers and enhance their professional skills. By integrating information about this program into your partner onboarding course, you can help new members understand and take full advantage of the opportunities available to them, supporting their professional development both during and after their military service. Becoming an approved vendor for the program can also provide significant business opportunities for companies specializing in training and certification.