Job Skill Training

Skill training refers to the instruction a servicemember receives in his or her assigned military career field. Sometimes referred to as Advanced Individual Training (AIT), or simply Advanced Training, skill training takes place after a servicemember completes Basic Training.

Depending on career specialty, a servicemember attends one of many diverse skill training schools. While there, he or she learns the skills necessary to succeed at his or her specific career through hands-on training, classroom sessions and field instruction.

Training Schools

While the purpose and fundamentals of AIT remain consistent across all Service branches, each offers its own unique experience.

Army Advanced Individual Training School

Army Advanced Individual Training spans 17 career fields ranging from artillery to avionics. More than just hands-on career training and field instruction, Army AIT focuses on discipline and work ethic – two important virtues both in and out of the Military.

Marine Corps Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) School

The Marine Corps stays ready by training every Marine for a specific role that contributes to the mission. Marine Corps advanced training can be broken down into three elements: ground combat, aviation combat and logistics combat.

Navy “A” School

The Navy refers to its Advanced Individual Training as “A” School and offers technical training in many different career fields, from arts and photography to world languages.

Air Force Technical Training

Air Force technical training provides instruction on mechanical, administrative, general and electronic careers from highly trained instructors with years of experience in the field. Much of Air Force technical training can be applied toward college credit.

Coast Guard “A” School

The Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Reserve train enlistees in a variety of career fields, including safety and law enforcement, maritime patrols, technology, environmental operations and business administration.

Ongoing Training

Ongoing training opportunities allow servicemembers to practice their skills, stay sharp and advance their military careers. There are a wide variety of ongoing training opportunities for servicemembers to take advantage of, ranging from tactical leadership to physical development.

Learn more about training methods

College Degrees and Credentialing

Through a partnership with the American Council on Education (ACE), many servicemembers have the opportunity to convert their training into a degree. Depending on service and school, servicemembers can receive equivalent college credit for military experience, training and awards that more than 2,300 colleges and universities recognize. Military experience can also translate into civilian licensing and certification for careers such as electrician or software engineer.

Learn more about college degrees and credentialing