Education and Promotion

How can education help you get promoted?

Promotion to sergeant and staff sergeant is based on promotion points. The regulation that explains how these points are awarded is AR 600-8-19. You can earn up to 100 promotion points through civilian education and 200 points through military education. Even if you are just entering the Army as a private through private first class, it is never too early to get started! There are also several programs that can help you become a warrant officer or officer.

Promotion Points for College Credit

Points for civilian education are granted as follows:

One and one-half promotion points are awarded for each semester hour successfully completed through attendance at a recognized regionally or nationally accredited college or university or trade school. (Check with your education center to determine if the program you are interested in is accredited.)

For the purpose of awarding promotion points, one and one-half quarter hours are equal to one semester hour.

Clock hours can be converted to semester hours by dividing the total clock hours by 16.

Ten additional promotion points will be added for a Soldier who completes a college degree while on active duty. If recommended for staff sergeant, the Soldier must have completed the degree while in the rank of sergeant.

Promotion Points for Military Education

You can receive up to 200 promotion points for your military education.

Some of these points may come from military training classes you attend (PLDC, BNCOC, etc). See   for more information on how these points are awarded.

Another way to earn military education promotion points is through correspondence courses. One point is awarded for every five sub-course hours earned can help you select and enroll in correspondence courses.

Converting Army Experience to College Credit

Commonly referred to as a SWEEP

College credits are recommended based on MOS and military courses attended

Individual college determines use of credits by reviewing your Army American Council on Education Registry Transcript (AARTS)

Request an AARTS transcript on line at

Some schools may require you to complete one or more courses before making your evaluation official. However, you can always inquire about an unofficial evaluation to give you an idea of how many credits you have.

Promotion Points for CLEP and DANTES Exams

College Level Entrance Program (CLEP) tests and Defense Activity for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES) tests may be used for award of promotion points.

Many of these tests are offered free to military members at the education center. Find more information at our Academic Testing page, or see an education counselor.

Commissioning Programs

Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Enlisted Commissioning Program

This program allows active duty enlisted Soldiers to obtain a scholarship to attend college while on active duty. Upon earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and successfully completing the National Council for Licensure Examination-RN, Soldiers are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army Nurse Corps.

For more information visit: http://www.dns.amedd.army.mil/default.aspx

Green to Gold

The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) provides financial assistance for the education and training of highly motivated young men and women who desire to be commissioned officers in the Army after graduation from college. ROTC offers both scholarship and non-scholarship programs.

For more information visit:

Interservice Physician Assistant Training Program

This program allows active duty enlisted to pursue training as a Physician Assistant and become commissioned officers upon completion of the program. Applicants are screened in several areas. For more information on application procedures, see an Education Counselor.

For more information visit:

Officer Candidate School (OCS)

This program allows active duty enlisted Soldiers who have completed at least 90 semester hours of college to pursue commissioning. Applicants are screened in several areas. For more information on application procedures, see an education counselor.

For more information visit:

Warrant Officer Accession Program

This program allows active duty enlisted to pursue commissioning as a warrant officer. Applicants are screened in several areas. For more information on application procedures, see an education counselor.

For more information visit:

West Point United States Military Academy

West Point provides a unique military training experience while obtaining an undergraduate education.

For more information visit: