Academic Skills Program

The Camp Pendleton Base Education Center and Palomar College have teamed up to provide this 30-day TAD educational program! The program is open to all active duty enlisted personnel, dependents, and civilians who are interested in improving their English and Math skills.  Classes are limited to approximately 30 students per session and are held at the Base Education Center (BEC), Bldg 1331, Monday through Friday, 0730 – 1600 for four weeks.  Once students finish the course, they should see an improvement in their basic skills in English and Math and should be more competitive in today’s military and civilian job markets.

The Academic Skills Program is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for all active-duty military students who want to use tuition assistance for the first time and could use a Math and English refresher. Many campuses assume that basic skills are in place and remedial/refresher courses are not offered as separate classes. This noncredit class is open to the public. Priority and guaranteed admission are given to active-duty service members holding a GT score of 99 or less.

The Academic Skills Program is not an ASVAB or AFCT prep course. MARADMIN 081/11 clarifies DOD and USMC policy in regard to ASVAB prep courses. Marines are not allowed to take ASVAB prep courses, and the use of other specific test preparation aids is strictly prohibited.
Service members who want to improve their AFCT scores to qualify for reenlistment or other programs are encouraged to go to https://dantes.petersons.com/ for free and approved prep materials. Also, there are free AFCT (ASVAB) prep materials available at the base libraries.

Application Process

Step 1:Fill out the Academic Skills Program Acknowledgement Letter. Be sure to provide all of the requested information at the top of the form. Your initials and signature indicate you have read and agree to the terms of the program. Once you have completed the form, have your commanding officer sign it.  Contact the BEC at (760) 725-6660 for more information if needed. For more information, please visit the Base Education Center website: https://www.mccscp.com/bec.

Step 2:Bring the signed acknowledgement letter to the BEC (Bldg 1331 Rm 101) for review.  The BEC will then keep your original Acknowledgement Letter and a copy will be given to you for your records.

STEP 3: Apply for admission to Palomar College at Palomar.edu/Apply. After approximately 24 hours, you will receive a Student ID Number  via email.

Step 4: Have a BEC Staff Member add your name to the ASP Roster located in Building 1331, Room 101.

Step 5: Have your command create your TAD orders. You will submit your TAD orders to the BEC on the first day of class.

You will be contacted the Monday prior to your selected course start date with confirmation that you've been Accepted and Enrolled.  All Service Members are accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

 

Course Dates 2025:

Session 1:        01/13 – 2/07 

Session 2:        02/24 – 3/21

Session 3:        04/21 – 5/16

Session 4:        07/07 – 8/01

Session 5:        08/25 – 9/19 

Session 6:        09/29 – 10/24