The Marine Corps has rolled out a comprehensive new website to help Marines capitalize on their military training by earning equivalent civilian certifications that can lead to jobs in the civilian workforce.

Formally called Marine Corps Credentialing Opportunities On-line, COOL is a one-stop shop for Marines wanting to translate their Defense Department training into marketable civilian skills. Marines tapping into the site will be able to choose from 943 certifications depending on their military occupational specialty. The website grew out of efforts to revamp transition assistance programs across the armed services after Congress mandated that the Defense Department institute programs to better help service members leaving uniform.

Marines can visit the website at https://www.cool.navy.mil/usmc to select an MOS and see commonly associated civilian skill sets, then begin working towards a related certification, such as a commercial drivers license, a welding or a financial management certification. Details of the new program were announced Oct. 15 in Marine administrative message 518/14.

"Credentials are the language of employment folks out there," said Col. Lee Ackiss, the Personal and Professional Development Deputy Branch Head for the Marine and Family Programs Division at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. "A credential is that symbol, that certificate that really validates and gives true value to their MOS training. It is something that a civilian employer immediately recognizes."

Databases enabling military personnel to determine equivalent civilian occupations have been around for years through the Department of Labor. But the Marine Corps' new COOL website takes that idea further by also showing which civilian certifications pertain to their MOS; whether they can use GI Bill benefits to offset any costs associated with certification; if certificate testing can be conducted at their home station; even employment prospects in a given field and specific job listing in the area where they plan to live.

An 0651 Cyber Network Operator, for example, can navigate to a job-specific page, where at the top is a quick-hit MOS Manual-style description of the Marine's job, followed by three main categories: "related credentials," "related occupations" and "continuing education."

The "related credentials" section includes those either "directly related" or "skill related" to a Marine's job. "Directly related" means at least 80 percent of the MOS duties are related to the credential. Those that are "skill related" are "related to at least one critical task associated with the duties" of the Marine's MOS.

A cyber network operator, for example, could obtain a skill related certification in Broadband Voice Over Internet Protocol from the Electronics Technicians Association, International, or a directly related certification as a Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician from Cisco Systems, Inc. Either would validate highly marketable skills.

A Marine can click on the specific credential he is interested in earning and is directed to more details to learn about eligibility, basic requirements and visit the credentialing body's website. In some cases, Marines will be able to earn certifications by simply filling out forms and providing proof of their MOS training, as they will fully satisfy requirements. Other certifications may require additional education and training or testing.

Under the "related occupations" section, Marines can browse civilian and federal jobs that match their skill sets. The website even points out which jobs have strong or growing employment prospects, provides links to average salaries based on geographic regions and to job listings where a Marine plans to live.

Finally, under the "continuing education" section, Marines are directed to potential educational opportunities that could bolster their career prospects in their given field.

But the website isn't just for those transitioning to the civilian world, said Ackiss. It could also help Marines in their current official duties.

It could, for example, be used by recruiters as a tool to pitch service to potential recruits, Ackiss said. Each MOS-specific page lists the core duties of the job and can be used to communicate potential future opportunities for those who are determined to serve, but may not plan on spending a 20-year-plus career in uniform. And the site is not just for enlisted Marines who plan on entering the workforce immediately after leaving uniform — it is also useful to those who plan on pursuing a bachelor's degree or officers intent on pursuing graduate and post-graduate work. Certifications can help land temporary or part-time jobs to help while pursuing such goals.

Other certifications recognize leadership skills such as "Certified Manager," "Program Management Professional," and "Certified Quality Engineer," which demonstrate to employers mastery of many of the same skills learned by all Marines.

"It really recognizes who we are as Marines. It captures and represents some of the very unique qualities of Marine Corps leadership," Ackiss said.

The website launched Oct. 1, but it is now fully populated with information for all of the service's MOSs. Those transitioning out of the military should begin working towards relevant credentials at least a year before their EAS date, but Ackiss said his branch's goal is to "make Marines aware of credentials as early as possible in their career."

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