Logisticians can pave career path with free credentialing program
By T. Anthony Bell, Senior Writer/Special Projects
| U.S. Army Garrison Fort Lee Public Affairs Office | May 9, 2018
Spc. Robin Trinidad (right), an automated logistics specialist from the 103rd Quartermaster Company in Houston, inspects a cooler Feb. 17, 2016, at Fort Polk, La., used to preserve perishable foods in the field. The Los Angeles native and his Army Reserve company are supporting field exercises during a base field exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Hubbard, 204th PAD) (Photo by Sgt. Brandon Hubbard)
FORT LEE, Va. —
Two nationally recognized credentials are available free of charge to Soldiers holding select quartermaster military occupational specialties.
The Certified Logistics Associate and Certified Logistics Technician documents can be earned by enlisted 92A automated logistical specialists and 92Y unit supply specialists, as well as warrant officer 920A supply systems technicians and 920B property accounting technicians.
Both certifications are awarded by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, based in Alexandria, and are recognized by the American National Standards Institute.
The Quartermaster School’s Logistics Training Department serves as the administrator for the credentialing effort. Sgt. Maj. JennyAnne Bright, LTD’s senior enlisted leader, said the credentials’ strength lies in their potential to pay dividends beyond military service.
“It’s an outstanding opportunity that’s going to help in the long run,” she observed. “A Soldier with two or three years of service who decides to get out of the Army will at least have a nationally recognized credential that could help with future employment.”
The CLA/CLT credentials, which typically cost $800-$1,200 when obtained in a civilian classroom environment, each consist of nine modules covering various aspects of the logistics industry followed by a proctored examination. Enrollees of the Army-funded program are required to complete the course of study within 90-days.
In addition to the no-cost advantage, there other positives to earning the certification, said Sgt. 1st Class Andre Corbin, credentialing noncommissioned officer in charge at LTD.
“One, it’s worth promotion points to the 92-Alphas and 92-Yankees,” he said. “Additionally, it’s going to help them understand their jobs better. It’s going to empower them with knowledge they’ll be able to share with fellow Soldiers. Also, the CLA is listed in Army Career Tracker as the most highly recommended credential by the proponent for 92-Alphas and 92-Yankees. Ultimately, when they make the transition from green-suit to three-piece suit, it’s going to give them credentials that will make them more appealing to civilian employers.”
Currently, 92A and 92Y Soldiers attending the Advanced and Senior Leadership courses at the Logistics Noncommissioned Officer Academy are afforded the opportunity to earn the credentials prior to graduation. In total across the Army, roughly 1,250 Soldiers have earned CLAs or CLTs since the program was initiated in 2015. Bright said the goal is to greatly increase those numbers.
“This is just the beginning, and we intend to get after it,” she said. “We have a strategic plan to further include those in the Reserve and National Guard to increase their opportunities. We aim to reach as many Soldiers as possible.”
Two main elements of the strategic plan are: expanding the availability of the credentialing program to Soldiers who were previously not able to participate by establishing the first CLA/CLT Assessment Centers (where the proctored exams are conducted) in such locations as Germany, Korea and Kuwait; and increasing Soldier awareness of the credentialing program through targeted briefings, social media and community communications on ACT.
According to the latest statistics, there is a combined total of 19,128 92A and 92Y Soldiers in the active Army. There are 18,191 more in the reserve components. Active duty warrant officer 920A property accounting technicians and 920B supply systems technicians number 612, while those in the reserve components amount to 998.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Raul Davila, LTD training management officer, is a 920A. “The CLA/CLT Credentialing Program,” he said, “is a win-win-win for warrants as well. It enhances the knowledge and understanding of logistics for 920-Alphas and 920-Bravos while they are still in the Army; makes them more competitive in selection boards; and they will be more appealing to civilian employers after making the transition from the Army.”
The Army’s credentialing programs were bolstered by the We Can’t Wait initiative launched by President Obama’s administration in 2011. It aimed to provide support to service members and veterans seeking employment after the military.
Corbin, a prior service Soldier who spent nearly 20 years in corporate America prior to rejoining the Army in 2009, said service members and veterans often face hurdles in articulating their military experience for civilian employment.
“I saw resumes from Soldiers that human resources would not look at because they didn’t understand the individual’s qualifications,” he said. “The CLA and CLT will make a difference on a Soldier’s resume when they apply for a civilian job, so I think it’s a great program and a fantastic opportunity for our troops to take advantage of while it is available.”
For more information on the CLA/CLT credentialing program for 92A, 92Y, 920A and 920B MOSs, send an email to: usarmy.lee.tradoc.mbx.qms-logistics-certification@mail.mil. For details regarding credentialing opportunities for all Soldiers, visit the Credentialing Opportunities Online website at www.cool.army.mil. For more information about the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, visit www.msscusa.org.