By Rear Adm. John Nowell
Director of Military Personnel, Plans and Policies

Rating modernization is the future of growing the workforce in the Navy. In August, we released NAVADMIN 196/18 that provided an update on those four lines of effort and this is the fifth of a total of five blog posts that talk about the updates to rating modernization. We also have a series of six rating modernization podcasts that mirror the blogs we will be sharing with you.

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Navy Credentialing Opportunities Online is a credentialing-assistance program for Sailors and DOD civilians to obtain licenses and certifications to validate their knowledge and experience and open doors to new opportunities in the Navy and in the civilian community.

This is important because obtaining credentials — certifications and licenses — shows that you meet certain professional and technical standards of many civilian jobs. The Navy has made credentials part of its workforce professionalization, so getting certified can help you in your Navy career while you’re still in service.

Navy Credentialing Opportunities Online currently funds over 2,700 certificates/licenses with opportunities for Sailors in every rating. Navy COOL recently reduced the minimum service remaining on a Sailor’s enlistment contract to earn credentials from 12 to six months, and expanded opportunity for Sailors to earn credentials mapped to an academic degree, on/off-duty training, Navy Reservist’s civilian occupation or many technical education certificates. Additionally, there are more opportunities for Sailors to maximize their Navy training and qualifications toward attainment of U.S. Coast Guard licenses, to include funding the Transportation Worker Identification Card.

These opportunities are highlighted in a dedicated “USCG National Maritime Center (NMC) Credentialing” tab for ratings with applicable USCG license alignment on the Navy COOL website.

Sailors will be able to convert their military training records, billet assignment history and other credentialing data to a compatible civilian resume by the end of Fiscal Year 2019. Using those standardized data, Sailors can easily research information on civilian and federal occupations mapped to their ratings.

So, how do you get a credential? To get COOL, take these easy steps:

• Find and select related credentials. Select credentials and determine your eligibility by using the “find” feature and “checking your eligibility” feature.
• Complete voucher and apply. Complete the voucher request for the exam or maintenance fee.
• Get credential. Navy COOL is not a credentialing organization. Contact the credentialing organization or test vendor to schedule and take the exam.
• Report results to Navy COOL. Once you’ve taken the appropriate exam or have met requirements for re-certification, you are ready to report your results to COOL and other agencies.

For questions, contact Navy COOL via the website’s online feedback form or live chat features or speak with a Navy COOL advisor at 850-452-6683/6664 or email [email protected].

Don’t forget to check out our podcasts! We have a series of six Rating Modernization podcasts that accompany this blog series.

Editor’s note: Sailor 2025 is the Navy’s program to more effectively recruit, develop, manage, reward and retain the force of tomorrow. It consists of approximately 45 living, breathing initiatives and is built on a framework of three pillars — a modern personnel system, a career learning continuum and career readiness.

https://navylive.dodlive.mil/2019/03/20/rating-modernization-navy-credentialing-cool/ U.S. Navy