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34 G.I. JOBS | OCTOBER 2016 | GIJOBS.COM with a third-party credentialing body. More than 70 MOS's provide some level of recommended academic degree transferability through the American Council on Education (ACE). The Army University will expand on those efforts. "It gets our soldiers recognized for their training, education and experience, which helps them when they begin to transition to the civilian world," says Davenport. We talked to CSM Davenport following a visit to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he attended the graduation of 19 sergeants major who earned a master's degree in adult education from Penn State. The graduates will now become instructors at the Sergeants Major Academy. "Army U. is going to improve the quality of training, POIs, instructors and facilities," Davenport says. "And the payoff is the training readiness of our soldiers." What is the primary focus of Army University? Davenport: The primary focus of Army University is to coordinate and synchronize training, education, and the leader development across the total force. Academic degrees and vocational certifications and licenses are a by-product of that effort and help to demonstrate the depth and breadth of a soldier's training, education and experience which they have attained through their institutional, operational and self-development learning opportunities. When will Army University become accredited as a degree-granঞng insঞtuঞon? Davenport: I think it's five to six years away, and that's just my opinion based on my understanding of accreditation. It's a very complex and difficult process. But first and foremost the job of our school system in the Army is to make our soldiers combat-ready. Are there plans for the eventual creaঞon of an Army University brick-and-mortar campus? Davenport: Army University already exists as a brick-and-mortar campus, but that campus is geographically dispersed across our country at the various centers and schools. There is no intention of building any new structures. The Army University campus is a collaborative effort across the schools and virtual campuses. Does Army University partner with state university systems? Davenport: Army University partners with both institutions of higher learning and industry partners, all in an effort to remain at the forefront in developing our most important resource: our people. Partnerships with outside organizations allow us to leverage "best practices" while also formally recognizing our soldiers for the credit they have earned. This allows outside institutions to better understand the value that our soldiers bring to any team. Does Army U. currently partner with private insঞtuঞons? Davenport: Army University, through its centers and schools, partners with private institutions, particularly in the area of vocational credentialing. By selecting the "gold standard" in the respective fields, Army University provides benefits to soldiers and our Army and furthers the professionalism of our total force. What about vocaঞonal- technical schools? Davenport: Yes, our centers and schools partner with many vocational- DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW? Army U. is administered by the Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. 74 of the Army's Programs of Instruction (POI) fully align to a civilian vocational credential.