Who Can Use DOD COOL?
DOD COOL serves two main purposes. It:
- is a portal for the individual military COOL programs.
- provides information about the overall DOD COOL program – credentialing in the military – as well as providing tools that can be used to research military occupations and related credentials.
Each military branch (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard) and DOD Civilians have their own COOL websites designed for their specific needs. If you are an active Service member, Veteran, or DOD civilian employee, you likely want to visit your specific COOL.
If you are a credentialing organization, employer, military recruiter or counselor, academic institution, government organization or other interested stakeholder, DOD COOL is for you. See below to learn what the site can offer.
Credentialing Organizations
Credentialing organizations can explore how military training and experience prepares Service members for civilian credentials and jobs, learn about credentialing in the military, how credentials are included on COOL websites, and getting credentials approved for payment through the GI Bill and for listing on COOL. See the Information for Credentialing Organizations page for more information.
Employers
Military service gives veteran employees unprecedented skills, knowledge, and insight, all of which are invaluable employee qualities. Learn details about how their unique training and experience prepares transitioning Service members for employement, how employers can use COOL to assess military experience and training, and how they can find veterans looking for jobs. See the Information for Employers page for more information.
Recruiters and Counselors
Education, career and transition counselors, and recruiters can use the COOL sites to provide better guidance on education, professional growth, career requirements and opportunities to Service members or those considering joining.
Academic Institutions
Academic institutions can use COOL to help evaluate and communicate the availability of academic credits for military training and experience. As Veterans and active duty Service members seek higher education opportunities, DOD COOL offers academia an additional resource to gain a better understanding of a Service member’s occupational training and how it may relate to his/her academic goals and professional development opportunities.
Government Organizations
Government organizations can use COOL to explore military and civil service occupations and learn which occupations share job duties and experience with civilian occupations in the private sector. They can use this information in their capacity as an employer hiring transitioning Service members, or to better understand work performed in military occupations to inform their organizations’ work as necessary.
Civilian Personnel
Civilian employees have their own COOL website, DOD Civilian COOL. This site helps civilians, regardless of whether or not they work for DOD or for the Federal government, learn about professional development opportunities through credentialing, and how their skills and training compare to military occupations.