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United Services Military Apprenticeship Program

United Services Military Apprenticeship Program

The United States Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) is a training program that allows service members to complete civilian apprenticeship requirements while still on active duty.

Completing an apprenticeship awards a nationally recognized Certificate of Completion from the Department of Labor (DoL), which can enhance employability during the transition from military to civilian life.

General USMAP Requirements

The USMAP is available to active Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel. Additionally, National Guard and Reservists who are on any of the following orders are also eligible to participate:

• Reserves on Active Duty
• Mobilization (MOB)
• Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS)
• Active Duty for Training (ADT)
• Full Time Support (FTS)

Service members applying for USMAP must have at least 12 months remaining on active duty. This ensures you have enough time to complete an apprenticeship before your transition.

You must be working full-time and supervised in the trade of your choosing. So, extra duty and additional duties do not apply to an apprenticeship.

USMAP Rules You Should Know

According to the USMAP official site, the following rules apply for typical applicants;

• Register for only one trade or occupation at a time.
• Upon completion of one trade, you may register for another, if eligible.
• Apprenticeships are automatically cancelled if you do not make the required submissions for 18 months.
• You must be enrolled in a trade to record hours or competencies for your apprenticeship.

RELATED: DoD Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

What is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is an official training program offering on-the-job training (OJT) and technical education in a field or trade. Combining hands-on work with formal training provides unsurpassed experience and industry credentials.

Service members can earn an apprenticeship with the military training and OJT from their current service, and they’d only need to record their work hours once enrolled in a program.

Formal Training

• The classroom training gives USMAP participants the requisite knowledge to operate effectively within their trade. To complete a USMAP program, 144 hours of apprenticeship-related training are required.
• Navy and Coast Guard personnel may meet these requirements through the “A” school or Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) training. 
• Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training can also meet the Army and Marine Corps apprenticeship requirements.
• Personnel without formal training or military schools could also satisfy these requirements through college courses, vocational programs, and correspondence courses.

On-The-Job Training

• This is obtained by working in the trade field, employing the skills obtained through formal training and experience.
• The amount of OJT required depends on the trade field, as some require more on-the-job hours than others.
• Generally, participants must complete between 2,000 and 6,000 work hours to satisfy most apprenticeship requirements.

Why Apply For An Apprenticeship?

USMAP apprenticeships can provide “workplace-relevant skills through on-the-job training” and college credit for those still serving.

Types of Apprenticeships

There are two types of apprenticeships in USMAP, and they are based on experience.

Time-Based Apprenticeships

A time-based apprenticeship is for those new to a trade and do not have the experience needed for a competency-based apprenticeship. Progress is measured by the number of hours spent in training and on the job.

Competency-Based Apprenticeships

Competency-based apprenticeships are for service members E-5 and above who are considered experienced in their chosen occupation. In this type of apprenticeship, participants must demonstrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities required by their chosen trade.

The Path to Apprenticeship

There are four primary steps necessary to complete an apprenticeship.

1. Review Available Trades
2. Review Program Requirements
3. Enroll in USMAP
4. Complete Program Requirements

Review Available Trades

The USMAP has a “Find a Trade” tool, where participants search for trades available to them based on their MOS or military career field.

First, head to the Find a Trade tool, then select your service branch.

Next, select your MOS or Rating under the “Select an MOS” drop-down menu. That will sort the available trades down to the ones applicable to your military job. Then, look through the “Select a Trade” drop-down menu to view the results.

For example, consider the Army Infantryman (11B). At one time, using this trade-finding process, only one result was available. That result was Computer Operator – 0817N. For you, there may be numerous opportunities, especially if you worked in a technical or vocational trade.

Review Program Requirements

Once you’ve searched for trades, review the requirements for each to determine which is the best fit for your situation and future goals.

Each apprenticeship will have two sets of requirements: the Time-based or Competency-based options as discussed above. Choose the one that best applies to your situation.

Enroll in USMAP

Once you’ve chosen a trade and the applicable options, it’s time to enroll in USMAP. This can be done online, and a login will be required. 

Or, you can download an Apprentice Registration Application and mail it in once you’ve filled it out. Mail it to the following address:

Director USMAP NETC USMAP
640 Roberts Avenue Building 502
Pensacola, Florida 32511-5155

Download your mail-in USMAP application.

Complete Apprenticeship Requirements

Participants must submit periodic reports for each opportunity, usually monthly, to their supervisor for approval. The DoL requires these reports to ensure that the standards of the program are followed.

Once all the training and work hours have been completed, participants will submit a Final Report to their supervisor for review and approval. Once approved, it marks the end of the apprenticeship and the issuance of a DoL Certificate of Completion, which will be available online.

The Department of Labor will issue Journeyman Cards when applicable to the trade.

Learn more about USMAP at the official site.