Unpacking AF COOL Requirements: What to Know

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After years of success helping enlisted members of the U.S. Army gain the skills and certifications they need to get ahead, now Airmen and women in the U.S. Air Force get the same benefits as well. This article shares the AF COOL requirements and how the process works.

All personnel in the U.S. Air Force can enhance both their current career and whatever they choose to pursue in civilian life with the support of Air Force COOL, which stands for Air Force Credentialing Opportunities On-Line. This program is the first step to creating a resume of knowledge and experience that will keep you excelling in the most sought-after industries in the nation.

AF COOL is a resource that helps you research professional certifications that can be funded through U.S. Department of Defense initiatives, so it’s worth the time to scroll through this online platform to learn more. We’ll dive deeper into how you can take advantage of these Air Force COOL certifications and benefits.

A Closer Look: AF COOL Benefits

In recent years, the DOD has expanded this resource to help air and space professionals enhance their careers through education and training opportunities. The benefits allow for eligible servicemen and women to receive up to $4,500 during the entire span of their careers to pay for this professional development.

Once you meet the AF COOL requirements, you can also receive up to $500 for books, application fees, recertification fees and other administrative fees that are related to the credential you seek to add to your resume.

However, it’s worth noting that this benefit will not pay for preparatory classes, coursework or boot camps. Check for hidden costs anytime you consider an academic institution to meet your goals.

Air Force COOL Requirements

This pathway to funding is available to all RegAF, AFRES and ANG members who are on active-duty orders. Those who are eligible also must possess a five-skill level in their Primary Air Force Specialty Code. There are also other requirements. They include:

Being current with your most recent fitness test at the time of application
Not having an UIF
Not being on the Control Roster
Having a profile in AFVEC with the approved credentialing goal

Plus, you’ll need to get your supervisor’s approval to move forward. Once you are approved and begin the work, you’ll also need to complete the entire credential while on active duty status to receive the funding.

To begin the process, visit the Air Force COOL website to browse different credentialing, certification and licensure opportunities.

Try MedCerts – an AF COOL Partner School

It helps to work with an academic institution that is an approved vendor with the U.S. Department of Defense, as the advisors understand the unique and sometimes confusing process of AF COOL. MedCerts, an online school that focuses on the fastest-growing industries in the nation, is a leading AF COOL vendor school.

There are plenty of AF COOL-approved programs available through MedCerts, and our supportive and trained staff can help you maximize your benefits and receive the training you need to get ahead both while enlisted and as you transition to civilian life.

The Department of Defense is not affiliated with MedCerts and does not endorse our services.

Topics

Military Life

Written by

Mickey Gamoral

Military Education Consultant

Mickey is a Platoon Leader for the Nevada Army National Guard and has been serving since September 2019. He joined the Army in an act of “now or never” as he neared his 30th birthday and had always dreamed of serving. Mickey is also an ASVAB coach and uses his education background to assist other soldiers through Gamonal Tutors.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and spent two and a half years in Morocco with the United States Peace Corps. He joined MedCerts in January 2020 and uses his combined Army and education experience to help soldiers take advantage of their Army Credentialing Assistance funding to pursue career training.

Mickey lives in Las Vegas, NV with his wife Sheena, who he considers his “rock”, and enjoys teaching snowboarding in his free time. He also has completed MedCerts Project Management program and hosts the ASVAB Domination podcast.

Published on

March 13, 2024

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