Army Credentialing Assistance Program Overview
The Army Credentialing Assistance Program provides eligible Soldiers with Army-funded assistance toward approved professional credentials, training, exams, books, and required materials.
Fierce Software can help Soldiers access eligible Red Hat Training and Certification options and provide the custom quote needed to submit a Credentialing Assistance request through ArmyIgnitED.
What's Available?
$2,000
available per fiscal year for training and/or exam
- Who is Eligible
- Enlisted Soldiers (all ranks)
- Warrant Officers (W1–W5)
- Active component, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve Soldiers
- Credentialing Assistance can help cover:
- • Training courses (in-person, online, or blended)
- • Exam/test fees
- • Books, study guides, and mandatory materials
- • Recertification and continuing education requirements
There is no additional service obligation for using Credentialing Assistance
Courses & Certifications
Build Skills with Fierce Software & Red Hat
As a Premier Red Hat Partner, Fierce Software helps Soldiers access Red Hat Training and Certifications to build practical, industry-recognized technology skills for their current role and future career.
Our team can help you:
- Identify Red Hat training aligned with your goals
- Explore available course and certification paths
- Obtain the custom quote required for your CA request
- Coordinate your training purchase after Army approval
- Get support throughout the process
- Note: Your Credential Doesn't Have to Match Your MOS
- You can pursue any credential listed on Army COOL, whether it's in your career field or not.
How to Use the Army Credentialing Assistance Program for Red Hat Training
Explore Your Options
Identify the Red Hat Training or Certification path you’re interested in and verify the applicable credential through Army COOL.
Create Your Credential Goal
Log in to ArmyIgnitED and create your Credential Education Goal.
First-time CA users must also complete the ArmyIgnitED Credentialing Assistance training and MilGears decision-support tool
Request a Quote from Fierce Software
Our traning team at Fierce Software will work with you to provide the custom quote needed for your ArmyIgnitED Credentialing Assistance request.
Submit Your Request
Upload your Fierce Software quote and submit the required Credentialing Assistance funding request through ArmyIgnitED.
Your supervisor or commander representative must approve the request within 5 days
Get Approved & Start Training
Once your request receives the required approvals and funding authorization, you can begin your Red Hat training!
CA requests must be submitted at least 45 days and no more than 90 days before the applicable course or exam start date.
- If CA funds your training, you must take the associated exam within 180 days of your training grade posting. Miss that window and you could face recoupment — meaning the Army takes back the money through payroll deduction.
Support
Contact Us Today
Our dedicated team is here to provide product insights, provide quotes, help with order support, and answer questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the certification have to match my job?
No. Credentialing Assistance can be used for eligible credentials listed on Army COOL regardless of whether the credential is directly related to your MOS.
Will using CA extend my service commitment?
What if I already paid for something?
What if I'm a commissioned officer?
Can I use CA and TA in the same year?
When should I submit my request?
The Department of Defense and the Department of the Army are neither affiliated with nor endorse this organization.