MilEd Benefits Mobile App
Contact a Counselor
FAQ
Search
In simple terms, DANTES provides no-cost education and career-planning programs for the U.S. Armed Forces military member. Our Defense programs can help a military member at every stage of their military career, from entry into the service to the final stage of civilian transition to their next career.
The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) is the Defense Human Resource Activity (DHRA) component that provides consolidated management of Defense Voluntary Education (VolEd) programs that prevents duplication of effort among the Services and helps service members gain the knowledge they need to achieve their education goals, advance in their military careers, and transition into the civilian workforce at the conclusion of their military service.
Defense Voluntary Education (VolEd)
The Department of Defense (DoD) invests in off-duty, voluntary education (VolEd) to support military recruitment, retention, readiness, and civilian transition goals. Under the direction of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Readiness, Force Education, and Training, the Defense Department maintains and provides educational opportunities for military members worldwide to include:
- Academic Skills Training Program
- College and Career Counseling Program
- DoD MOU College Comparison Tool (TADECIDE)
- Tuition Assistance (TA) for Postsecondary Degree Certificates/Programs
- College Credit by Examination Program
- Military Training Evaluation Program
- Joint Services Transcript (JST)
- Troops to Teachers Program
- Overseas Education Support
DANTES Director
Mr. Jeff Allen serves as the Director of the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES). DANTES is tasked with leading, planning, and organizing a comprehensive portfolio of voluntary education programs and services in support of the Uniformed Services including the Coast Guard.
Prior to this assignment, Mr. Allen served as the Executive Director of Manpower, Personnel, and Services, Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, where he was responsible for the leadership and management of Manpower, Personnel and Services programs to include: assignments, training, equal opportunity, education, quality force, manpower resources, and quality of life, supporting a ready force of over 45,000 military members, civilian employees and their respective family members.
Mr. Allen holds a Master of Science from Campbell University and a Bachelor of Science from East Carolina University. He is also a graduate of the Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, and Squadron Officers School.
Mr. Allen began his federal service career as an Intern with the United States Air Force and has also previously served in a variety of education and training, personnel and force support positions at both the installation and Headquarters level.
Deputy Director
Michael J. Stahl was born in Evanston, Illinois and attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering. Following graduation he reported to flight training in Pensacola, Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator in April 1985.
Military operational assignments included tours with VAQ-140 deploying aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69); VAQ-136, based in Atsugi, Japan, deploying aboard USS Independence (CV 62), and command of VAQ-135 deploying aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). He also served as Assistant Operations Officer for Carrier Air Wing 5 and Operations Officer for the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group. Captain Stahl accumulated over 3500 flight hours and 799 arrested landings.
Military shore duty assignments included tours as a VAQ-129 Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) Instructor, VX-5 Operational Test Director, VX-9 Assistant Chief Operational Test Director, Joint Staff Action Officer, Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander for the Operational Test and Evaluation Force and Chief of Staff for the Naval Education and Training Command. He obtained a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Following retirement he entered Federal Civil Service in May 2012 with the Naval Education and Training Command in Pensacola, Florida. In December 2013 he reported to DANTES as the Deputy Director.