Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) helps Army service members find information on certifications and licenses related to their military occupation and civilian careers.

On November 14, 2025, the Army released ALARACT 102/2025 (Changes to Voluntary Education Policy) to announce the following policy updates to the Army COOL Program:

• Annual cap decreased from $4,000 to $2,000
• Limit Soldiers to one credential a year and a maximum of three in 10 years
• Require Soldiers to take associated credential exam or recoup the cost of the course work/training
• Limit Aviation credentials to $1,000 per year for all Army components.
• Require Soldiers who are first time users of CA to take ArmyIgnitED training prior to requesting CA
• Require Soldiers to use the decision support tool prior to requesting CA.

Effective March 19, 2026, the following Credentialing Assistance (CA) updated policy changes are implemented in accordance with AR 621-5, Army Continuing Education System:

• Soldiers, regardless of rank, must receive supervisor or commander representative approval of all TA and CA requests as a part of the ArmyIgnitED approval process
• Soldiers who have incurred two recoupment actions between TA and CA in the same FY will be suspended from requesting TA and CA for 12 months from the date the second unsuccessful grade is entered or the end date of course or exam, whichever occurs first. Soldiers may appeal the 12-month suspension through ArmyIgnitED. The 12-month suspension is not retroactive and will be implemented for all TA and CA approved funding requests with start dates on or after March 19, 2026
• Commissioned Officers (O1-10) are ineligible for CA. Commissioned Officers who have submitted a credential education goal that has not been completed prior to March 19, 2026, will be allowed to request funding to complete and earn the credential
• These changes are reflected in ArmyIgnitED Virtual Benefits Training (VBT) as well as the updated TA and CA Terms and Conditions
• Soldier and Supervisor tutorials can be accessed by clicking on the Credentialing Assistance tab on the Army COOL homepage, then click on the Resources box or by logging into ArmyIgnitED and selecting the “Help” button located in the top right corner of the screen followed by selecting the “Documents and Links” tab. Soldiers are encouraged to provide their supervisor the supervisor tutorial who do not have an  existing ArmyIgnitED account 
• For CA assistance, Soldiers should contact the CA Virtual Counseling Cell (VCC) at https://www.cool.osd.mil/army/costs_and_funding/index.html?credentialingassistance

Retired service members are not eligible to participate in Army COOL.

Army COOL Website:
https://www.cool.osd.mil/army/index.html

DoD COOL Website:
https://www.cool.osd.mil/

Army COOL Fact Sheet:
https://www.cool.osd.mil/army/docs/online_Army_COOL_vs_Army_CA.pdf

ArmyIgnitED:
https://armyignited.cce.af.mil/student/public/welcome

Army Regulation 621-5:
https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN43979-AR_621-5-000-WEB-1.pdf