12/06/2013 -- MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marine Corps Military Occupational Specialties provide Marines with skills that can translate to a variety of jobs in the civilian world, but sometimes a military background is not enough to stay competitive.
Thanks to the Information Technology Credentialing Pilot Program, Marines with logistics-based jobs have the opportunity to gain industry-recognized, nationally portable certifications that will further qualify them for their MOS’s civilian equivalent.
“It’s and initiative that came from the White House and that is ruan out of the Manufacturing Skill Standard Council, and. They’ve selectedwhat they’ve done is select certain career areas for different military branches,” said Amanda Letlow, education technician, Camp Pendleton Joint Education Center. “For the Marine Corps, they selected the logistics field. This logistics certification is actually very well known in the civilian world and. It will help service members transition to their job field and may even qualify them for a higher level of pay.”
In order to be eligible for a certification, Marines must pass two free, consecutive computer-based exams: the 90-minute long Certified Logistics Associate Aassessment and the two-hour long Certified Logistics Technician Eexam.
“The results are instant, so you’ll know right away if you passed,” said Letlow.
If Marines who take the exams fail, they may come in for a second free attempt. but with an added benefit.
“Let’s say they fail the tests;, they get free course work that they can review before they retest,” said Pat Jeffress, program manager for education and libraries, Camp Pendleton Joint Education Center. “That’s the beauty of it.”
Many Marines have already taken advantage of the credentialing program as they prepare to leave the Corps and transition into the civilian sector. With less than a year and a half left, one of those Marines, Sgt. Andrew Schenk, of Surprise, Ariz., said he feels better more prepared to enter that chapter of his life after passing both exams.
“It’s a great opportunity for Marines to take these tests, so they can see how their military training transitions into the civilian workforce. Having this certification on top of my military experience and other MOS-related certificates gives me an edge,” said Schenk. “It’s an absolutely free test. Marines have nothing to lose by taking it.”
This year’s remaining tests take place at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 13, 18 and 20 at 8:30 a.m. in the testing room located at the Joint Education Center (Building 1331).
For questions regarding the test or to register, contact the Joint Education Center at 760-725-6414. To read more about the program, visit http://www.msscusa.org/logistics-certification/claclt/.
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