The Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program (ACASP) is designed to grant accelerated promotions to the rank of specialist for all those who possess specialized skills applicable to an MOS.
Applicants with prior training, education and/or experience (not obtained through military service) may qualify for enlistment at a higher pay grade and use their civilian skills in the Army.
Many MOS jobs in the Army qualify for the army civilian acquired skills program. Those who may qualify for the ACASP may be given an advance in pay grade upon enlistment and may be granted accelerated promotions based on their skill level and job performance.
ACASP is available for men and women with or without prior service. Skills must be obtained through civilian education and not acquired through military service. This includes evidence of transcripts, certificates, employment records, or diplomas and must have the original seal of the institution awarding the documents and records.
ACASP also provides enlistment bonuses authorized to all ACASP MOSs on tier levels 1-5 who have tier 1 credentials, qualify as a non prior service applicant, and enlist for service longer than 3 years. Bonus amounts range from $5000 up to $20,000.
Army Language Program
Individuals who already profess to speak a foreign language have the opportunity to enlist as skilled linguist under the Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program (ACASP). An individual’s language ability is evaluated through the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT). The DLPT measures an individual’s reading and listening skills in the language they profess to speak. Passing score is a 2 in both the reading and listening areas. Current languages eligible for this program are Arabic, Korean, French, Pashto, Persian Farsi and Spanish. Enlistees qualified for this program may be eligible for Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB) and advance pay grade of E-4. After completion of basic training, Soldier would attend AIT in 35 P, depending on language.
If attending DLI, applicants must be U.S. citizens, be eligible for a top secret clearance, score a 105 on the DLAB (waiverable to 95), have a 91 ST score on the ASVAB and have Tier I education credentials. Family members of students enrolled at DLIFLC may enroll concurrently with the military spouse on a space available basis at no cost.
If enlisting as a linguist under the ACASP program, must be a U.S. citizen, be eligible for a top secret clearance, score a 2 in both reading and listening on the DLPT test, have a 91 ST score on the ASVAB and have Tier I education credentials.
Army Reserve Enlistment Program
The ACASP allows Army Reserve Non-Prior and Prior service applicants to use a professional skill that they have previously acquired from either formal education or on-the-job training in the civilian sector. The basic qualifications for ACASP are listed in DA Pam 611-21. Prior Service applicants cannot use their previous MOS to join under the ACASP. Non-Prior Service applicants MUST attend at least 12 weeks of IADT.
For additional information on the ACASP enlistment bonus, visit Army-portal.com.