Brad Crush, left, shakes hands with Chancellor Steve Angle during UTC undergraduate commencement ceremonies. Crush, a member of the U.S. Marines from 2012-2016, received a bachelor’s degree in history. Photo by Angela Foster.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, Brad Crush crossed the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s graduation stage, a milestone made possible, in part, by turning his U.S. Marine Corps training into 50 college credits.
When Crush submitted his Joint Service Transcript last spring, he was surprised by how many credits he earned. Recognized by more than 2,300 U.S. colleges and universities, the JST translates military training into college credit recommendations, which each institution then evaluates to determine applicability toward a degree—giving veterans a head start on their education.
Veterans are encouraged to submit their JSTs early, often with guidance from UTC’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, but Crush proved it’s never too late to make it count.
“I thought I’d get 10 or 15. It was surprising to see things like field training or rifle qualifications count for so much,” he said.
Crush, 30, was stationed at Marines Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California from 2012 through 2016, rising to corporal.
Without the JST credits, Crush, a history major, would have faced a much heavier course load. Their approval—which took about two weeks—allowed him to focus on classes for his anthropology minor.
“It freed up my time to take courses I actually wanted to take. It made my last semester so much better,” he said.
For veterans like Crush, the JST provides a significant academic advantage. At UTC, the process ensures military training is efficiently evaluated and converted into college credits.
“Veterans aren’t starting from scratch,” said Sylvana Matthews, director of UTC Veteran and Military Affairs. “They’re beginning with something tangible, which helps ease their transition into academics.”
For Crush, the support didn’t stop with JST credits. As a transfer student, he found UTC’s military-connected community invaluable.
“At my old school, everything (related to veterans) was emails,” said Crush, who eventually took a leadership role in UTC’s Student Veterans Organization. “Here, it’s personal—you can talk to someone and get answers fast.”
Crush, originally from Roanoke, Virginia, went to Lynchburg (Virginia) College before moving to Ooltewah in 2021 to be near family and finish his degree at UTC.
Military-connected students make up nearly 10% of UTC’s student body, reflecting the University’s commitment to serving those who’ve served.
What’s more, veterans bring unique qualities to campus, Crush said.
“People think veterans are just punctual and disciplined, but it’s more than that,” he said. “We’ve already dealt with real-life problems so we’re more mature about things like showing up for class or handling responsibilities.”
Matthews agreed.
“They know their interests, but they don’t always know how to reach their goals. That’s where we come in as bridge builders,” she said.
In 2024, UTC was named the No. 1 college in Tennessee for veterans by Military Times and earned Military Friendly® designations for both veterans and military spouses pursuing higher education.
Reflecting on his time at UTC, Crush said he’s most grateful for the opportunities and connections.
“The people—definitely the people,” he said. “Even the professors. I’ll miss the connections I’ve made here.”
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Veteran and Military Affairs Student Ambassador Program
