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Military Education News And Info

Stay up-to-date with news and information about your military education. You can get the information you need to make informed decisions about your online and military correspondence programs. Learn what's going on with military education and how you can make a smooth military transition. Your civilian career awaits you!

Navy and Marine Society Changes Funding Policy for Overseas Spouses

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The recession continues to move on without missing a beat, leaving banks, retailers and now even a spouse education funding program in its wake. Stars and Stripes recently reported that the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) recently changed its Spouse Tuition Assistance Program for overseas spouses, going from grants to interest-free loans.

"We’ve taken a hit," NMCRS’s Melissa Thurber told Stars and Stripes. "So instead of handing out money for grants, we’re being more responsible about the money we can give."

The NMCRS is a nonprofit organization that has helped Navy and Marine families for over a century. The new program means that the active-duty spouses of Marines and Sailors overseas will now receive an interest-free loan of $3,000 for tuition, instead of a grant. The military spouses will have two years to repay the loans.

Loans must be repaid within two years after receipt of the money. Spouses can use the money to study part-time of full-time at an accredited school online or at a traditional campus.

While the global recession has made it harder for military spouses to get loans and grants for education, there are still a number of ways that military spouses can find funds for education. One way for a spouse to receive military spouse scholarship money is by joining together with their service member spouse who is using Military Tuition Assistance (TA) to enroll at a school.

Some schools offer discounts or military spouse scholarships to the spouses of those men and women who enroll in the school using their TA funds. TA is a free benefit to service members, providing them with up $4,500 a year in education funds. Military spouses should ask their service member spouse to contact the school they are attending, and learn if military spouses receive any kind of discount or scholarship.

Military spouses whose service members spouses are not taking advantage of TA funds to go to school, should make sure their spouses know about the benefit. TA money is not a loan or a reimbursement program – it is money that a service member has earned through his or her service to the country. And the really attractive part of TA is that the military pays the schools directly, so military families do not need to pay for anything out-of pocket.

When speaking with an admission representative from an accredited school, service members should ask about military spouse scholarships or discounts. There may be an opportunity for the service member and spouse to enroll in career training programs without paying tuition.

Many people during a recession decide that additional education is a vital way to stand out in a crowded, competitive workplace. Military Tuition Assistance and related military spouse aid programs are a great way for military families to prepare for tough economic realities.

Military spouses should also check out the local military spouses/wives clubs at their local base. Many of these clubs, in an effort to promote military spouse educational opportunities, offer scholarships for the wives and husbands of active-duty personnel stationed at the installation.

A visit to the base ESO is a great place to start learning about the career and educational opportunities that are available for military spouses.

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Posted by Allied Blogger Admin @ 3:43 PM • 0 comments

Allied is Approved Training Provider for New AVOTEC Pilot Program

Allied has been tapped as a participating vocational school of the new Army Vocational/Technical (AVOTEC) Pilot Program -- making it 1 of 2 approved schools in California to provide education under the program.

Allied Schools worked directly with the Army, including an in-depth application process, to be added as an approved education provider. As a result, soldiers can now enroll in certificate programs under the AVOTEC program at Allied and benefit from 100% online real estate, medical and business career training programs.

"We are proud to serve the military community and provide a means for soldiers to get in-demand career training," said Steve Rathje, president of Allied Schools. "Online vocational courses make it possible for these men and women to create fulfilling post-Army careers and we are pleased to play a part in this beneficial program."

The AVOTEC Pilot Program enables soldiers to use up to $4,500 to get training for a smooth transition into their post-Army career. Their education must be finished in less than 18 months; and they must enroll before September 30, 2009 to be eligible.

Allied's career training programs are ideal for active-duty soldiers because it allows them to attend class from almost anywhere, even a remote country or location. They decide where and when to learn, according to their own schedule; course materials are available 24/7. Live student support is available throughout the duration of their program when they enroll. Job assistance is also available to help with their job search.

Additionally, soldiers can get a jumpstart on their college degree. With training from Allied Schools, they may be able to apply their vocational training to an Allied American University degree program. They can study worldwide with 100% online degree programs. Benefits include: a quick, complimentary transfer credit evaluation, weekly enrollments (52 starts per year), no fees, textbook grant and live student support.

Soldiers can call (888) 501-5221 to get started with an approved AVOTEC school. A short-term certificate program can give them the high-demand training needed to start a fulfilling post-Army career.

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Posted by Heather Brunson @ 10:18 AM • 0 comments

Pre-Deployment Checklist for Airmen and their Families

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

It's human nature to put off addressing issues that are painful. Many men and women in the armed services are prone to procrastination when it comes to the emotions aspects of deployment. The reality that you may have to leave your family for a year or even more – is not something most people would relish. Yet, as all military families understand, it is a reality and families should deal with the issue prior to deployment.

The Air Force Crossroads website has some tips for Air Force families (which certainly apply to all military families) facing the deployment of a wife or husband. The Air Force emphasizes that talking about deployment within the family is an effective way to minimize the sting of deployment.

One of the particularly difficult issues for military families when facing deployment is a feeling that they have no control over events. Many members of the military are ready to deploy in the sense that they have their sea bag packed and their gear in order; they have their military life ready to go, but often this preparation doesn't extend to their personal life.

Air Force Crossroads emphasizes that service members can do a number of things to prepare themselves and their family for deployments. One of the best things to do is to make sure that your Air Force spouse is aware of the resources available to her through the Airmen & Family Readiness Center; knowing about resources may help ease stress by giving an Air Force spouse a place to go for answers during his or her spouse's deployment.

The next big issue is communication between husband and wife. Airmen and women need to spend a night with their spouse and discuss the deployment in detail, and how both feel about it. Then the couple should discuss how things should be handled at home in the case of emergencies or unexpected challenges.

Pilots should also go through the house and make sure their spouse knows how to deal with common task like working the lawnmower, turning off the gas in case of an emergency or changing a flat tire. If your departing spouse had been in charge of domestic tasks like cooking and handling the bills, make sure the procedures for these chores are clear.

Click here to find out Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts

Airmen and women should also understand that when they deploy, a part of their spouse will go with them. Although your spouse may have dealt well with the ramp-up to the deployment, be sensitive that there may be a tendency on their part as well as yours, to put some distance between the both of you. Although this distancing is not ideal, it may occur and both you and your spouse should be aware of this reality.

Airmen and women also shouldn't be surprised if their spouse seems irritated or upset with the Air Force or its commanders. Although this is not a rational way to act, it's understandable that there is anger at those who have given orders which have lead to the disruption of family life. As with all things in marriage, the ability to put yourself in your spouse's shoes and to identify yourself with their situation is paramount. While you may acutely feel your sacrifice for the nation, your spouse and children are sacrificing much as well.

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Posted by Allied Blogger Admin @ 10:38 AM • 0 comments

Transition into a Fulfilling Post-Army Career -- The New AVOTEC Pilot Program Will Cover Your Training up to $4,500!

Active duty? Starting now -- as a soldier, officer or Wounded Warrior serving on active duty, including National Guard and Reserve Soldiers on extended active duty, funding is available to assist you with technical, vocational or advanced training and re-training through the Army Vocational/Technical (AVOTEC) Pilot Program.

This program is designed to help you acquire short-term training in today's high-demand careers. You may use up to $4,500 per fiscal year under the AVOTEC Program. Your education must be finished in less than 18 months; and completed through an approved institution. You also need to enroll before September 30, 2009 to be eligible.

Choose from these available certificate programs at Allied Schools:

- Real Estate Inspection Career Training Program
- Property Management Career Training Program
- Introductory Real Estate Career Training Program (CA, VA, GA, FL, TX or WA)
- Real Estate Appraisal Career Training Program
- Dental Office Assistant Career Training Program
- Medical Billing Career Training Program
- Medical Coding Career Training Program
- Medical Transcription Career Training Program
- Medical Administrative Assistant Career Training Program (Billing or Terminology)
- Medical Billing Specialist
- Entrepreneurial Business Career Training Program
- Professional Administrative Assistant Career Training Program
- Financial Accounting Career Training Program
- Microsoft Office Professional Career Training Program
- Professional Private Investigator Career Training Program
- Introduction to Computer Systems Career Training Program

The short-term pilot program is intended to provide training in high-demand career fields to help you find employment when you transition out of the Army. Comprehensive career training can give your post-military career an advantage. Take advantage of 100% online programs -- learn anytime, anywhere. Create a fulfilling post-Army career today!

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Posted by Heather Brunson @ 8:48 AM • 0 comments

The Marines New Parent Support Program

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Okay, Marines - listen up! You thought that recruit training was tough, well you've haven't been through anything until you've roughed it through "Dad's Basic Boot Camp" or "Mom's Basic Training."


All joking aside, the Marine Corps is focused on helping new parents tackle the joy and challenges of welcoming a baby boy or girl into the family. The program is known as the "New Parent Support Program (NPSP)" and it is available to Marine families and military families from all service branches whom have an expectant mom or will soon be adopting a child.

The program is run by social workers, nurses and marriage counselors who are professionals in their fields and dedicated to helping Marine families. The special part of the program is that these professionals, are on call 24 hours a day to help Marine families with any questions or concerns.

These experts have a special understanding of the challenges that face military families, with a focus on the issues of deployment and family moves; they understand that Marine families are often hundreds of miles from their home town and friends.

The program aims to give families the skills to help them deal with the stresses that accompany the joys of being a parent; with a particular focus on how a parent can care for children while the Marine spouse is deployed. The experts also help families understand some of the basics of a child's growth and development, so they'll know what to expect as the child ages.

The program is also open to expecting parents who may already have children; it's not uncommon for families to have to adjust to having a small infant enter a growing family. The issues of new brothers and sisters learning to love and accept each other can often be helped with some skills and sound practices.

Click here to learn more about marine corps tuition assistance.

The programs services are:

  • "Basic Training" - Expecting parents learn how to care for an infant and how to interpret the needs of a newborn
  • Parent Classes - Hands on information about how to parent toddlers and young children
  • Referrals - New to the Marine Corps? This will help you find the right Marine services for your family
  • Play Morning - Interactive play group that teaches parents how to play with their children at each stage of development; understanding the cognitive and motor skills of the child is emphasized
  • Home Visits - A child pro will come to your home and help you with any concerns or questions you have about parenting styles or your child


The program is also an excellent way to meet other Marine families, learn about Marine Corps services as well as develop a support system of people who can help during the ups and downs of life in the military. The NPSP is a service of the Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS).

A NPSP team is located at all U.S. Marine Corps bases, including Hawaii and Iwakuni and Okinawa, Japan. To learn more about the program, visit http www.usmc-mccs.org

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Posted by Allied Blogger Admin @ 10:05 AM • 0 comments