Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS)
Convert military learning experiences to college credit with this computed-generated military transcript

Servicemember Opportunity Colleges
Colleges that are more likely to award credit for military learning experiences

Earn College Credit for Military Experiences

If you are currently pursuing or plan to pursue an undergraduate college degree and you have NOT received college credit for your military occupational specialty and military schooling the following information could save you time and money.

The Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System, commonly referred to as AARTS, is a computerized transcript system that produces official military transcripts for eligible soldiers upon request by combining a soldier’s military education, training, and experiences with course descriptions an college credit recommendations developed by the American Council on Education.

You are eligible for an AARTS Transcript if you have served as an enlisted soldier in the Army National Guard, Army Reserve or Regular Army.

AARTS transcripts are available in two formats.

1. A Web-based “unofficial” transcript (designed solely for personal use); and

2. An “official” transcript; which can be sent to colleges, universities, and potential employers.

How do I obtain or forward copies of these two types of AARTS Transcripts?

Your personal “unofficial” Web-based AARTS transcript is available on the AARTS Operations Web site at http://aarts.army.mil/

To obtain or forward an “official” copy of your AARTS Transcript (which can be sent to a college, a potential employer, or your home address) you must complete, SIGN and submit DA Form 5454-R to the AARTS Operations Center.

MAIL TO: AARTS Operations Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 66027-5073

FAX TO: AARTS Operations, Commercial (913) 684-2011, or Autovon (DSN) 552-2011 (this number works only from military installations).

NOTE: You do not have to go to your Unit to submit the request for an official transcript. Send the request form yourself by one of the two means listed above. Make sure you SIGN the request form.

Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges
A consortium of colleges that are more likely to award credit for military learning experiences

Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) function in cooperation with the Department of Defense and the Military Services including the National Guard and the Coast Guard to help meet the voluntary higher education needs of Service members.

The SOC Principles and Criteria

To achieve its objectives SOC is founded on principles and criteria agreed to by the SOC Advisory Board. Institutional members of SOC pledge themselves to support the SOC Principles and Criteria. 

The principles and criteria most useful to Servicemembers include:

Awarding college credit for military training and military occupational experience, and for learning in nonacademic settings.

Designing transfer practices that minimize loss of credit and avoid duplication of course work.

For more information visit Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges on the Web or contact the SOC college in your area and ask to speak to the SOC Institutional Representative or SOC Counselor.