Military Leadership Apprenticeship Program Information & FAQs
Palomar College now offers a Military Leadership Apprenticeship Program!
- Active-duty students in the Marine Corps Sergeants School can earn 12-units of FREE college credits for their Sergeants School Education!
- With these 12 units of credit, along with a 6-unit MIL 199 Work Experience class, you can earn an 18-unit Palomar College MIL Apprenticeship Program Certificate of Achievement, and can continue on to complete your AS degree.
- You can also earn the General and Operations Manager Apprenticeship Certificates through the state of California and the Department of Labor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the program?
- Active-duty Marines that are currently enrolled in Sergeants School at either Camp Pendleton or 29 Palms.
- Active-duty or veteran Marines stationed in California, who already completed Sergeants School from any of the Marine Corps academies in the world, can earn the 12-units of MIL Program credit through Credit for Prior Learning. Individuals must be current Palomar College students to qualify.
- Want to apply to Palomar? Follow our Steps to Enroll page to learn more!
Does the MIL program cost me anything?
- No, because this is an apprenticeship program, these college credits are FREE to students enrolled in this program.
Does this credit count towards a certificate or degree?
- Yes. The 12-units of credit earned through Sergeants School, with the 6-units completed through MIL 199 Work Experience, you can earn an 18-unit Certificate of Achievement in Military Leadership Apprenticeship from Palomar College and will be eligible to continue on with your education to complete your Associates degree.
- Additionally, you can earn the General and Operations Manager Apprenticeship Certificates through the state of California and the Department of Labor, by taking the MIL 199 class and completing up to 2000 hours of on-the-job-training.
- Check out the Palomar Pathways Mapper, Trade and Industry, Apprenticeship - Military Leadership Program for information on mapping out your degree pathway.
What is the MIL 199 Work Experience class?
- MIL 199 is a fully online course where you report your on-the-job training hours and reflect upon the learning outcomes in Sergeants School and how they relate to your current job.
- Six units of this MIL 199 course, can be completed in a semester and completes your 18-unit Palomar College Military Apprenticeship Program Certificate of Achievement.
- This course can also be repeated multiple times throughout the year to report the 2000 hours of on-the-job-training needed to receive the General and Operations Manager Apprenticeship Certificate through the state of California and the Department of Labor.
Is the AS degree in Military Leadership transferable to a 4-year college?
- Yes. Currently, the Palomar college AS Degree in Military Leadership transfers directly into the Organizational Leadership Bachelor Degree programs at both National University and Arizona State University.
- Transferring students will complete the CSU GE pathway to complete their AS degree for transfer to NU or ASU.
- Transferring students can also receive discounts on tuition at these colleges. For more information about transferring, you may set up a counseling appointment with our Military/Veteran Counselor, Tina Barlolong or you may contact National or Arizona State Universities.
- Contact us today to set up an appointment! milprogram@palomar.edu.
How do I get started?
- Watch our Orientation Video then follow the Steps to Enroll to get started today!
- Have questions? Contact us - Information is listed below!
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Palomar College:
Military Leadership Apprenticeship Program - milprogram@palomar.edu
Or fill out our Contact Us box below!
Marine Corps University- Camp Pendleton:
MIL Program contacts -
SSgt Juan Rico: jrico@palomar.edu or juan.c.rico@usmc.mil
Melissa Balcombe: mbalcombe@palomar.edu or melissa.balcombe@usmc.mil
Marine Corps University- Twenty-Nine Palms:
MIL Program contact - GySgt Seth Rhyne: srhyne@palomar.edu or seth.rhyne@usmc.mil