The United Services Military Apprenticeship Program is a certification program that offers Marines and sailors the opportunity to earn a Journeyman’s Certificate for a civilian trade equivalent to their Military Occupational Specialty.

“Members benefit by getting the same credit for military work, experience and training as their civilian counterparts,” said Maurice Merrells, education specialist, Joint Education Center, Camp Pendleton.

The Journeyman’s Certificate is nationally recognized as a document confirming that an individual has achieved a level of expertise in a specialty, such as communications, technology or photography.

While enrolled in the program, service members track their work hours and divide them into specific trade-related categories. Once the minimum hours in each category are met, a Journeyman’s Certificate is issued.

“The program varies in length, depending on the occupation,” said Merrells.  “Trades can require any where from 2,000 hours to 10,000 hours. A 2,000 hour program would take the member approximately a year to complete,” he explained. 

Since the program was adopted by the Marine Corps in 2000, approximately 38,000 members have earned a certificate on base. Of the 300 enlisted MOSs, 257 are covered under USMAP.

“It’s important to remember that participants must have sufficient time to complete the program while on active duty,” said Merrells. “Partakers must also possess a high school diploma or GED, and are assigned to and are performing duties in an authorized trade occupation.”

Once it is determined that all requirements are met, apprentices must fill out a weekly, monthly and semiannual report that is to be signed by their supervisors, section chiefs and officers in charge, respectively.

For service members that have been working in a technical field for years but were unaware of USMAP, it is not too late; they can still take advantage of the program. Those at pay grade E-4 and above can receive up to half of their required time counted as bonus hours. These are awarded according to time spent working in their occupational field prior to enrolling in the program.

Marines and sailors on deployment are also eligible and have an advantage because they can complete the program much quicker due to their increased amount of working hours.

“The program is a great foundation for those planning a career outside the military because it can potentially place you higher than other job applicants,” said Merrells. “It may also help you get a higher starting salary.”

To enroll or for more information on the USMAP program, visit one of the two Camp Pendleton Joint Education Centers located on Mainside and the School of Infantry, or call (760) 725-6660 or 725-6060. To see if your MOS qualifies log onto https://usmap.cnet.navy.mil/usmapss/trades/navy.do?branchParm=M.