# DL Points Army: Earning Distance Learning Points > DL points in the Army count toward retirement and promotion. Learn exactly how Army distance learning points work, who needs them, and which courses help you earn them. DL Points Army: What They Are and How to Earn Them # DL Points Army: What They Are and How to Earn Them Course Careers editorial team April 9, 2026 June 28, 2026 Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers need 50 retirement points per year to earn a qualifying year toward retirement — and many Soldiers fall short not because they're not working hard, but because they don't fully understand how DL points fit into that count. Distance learning points are one of the most controllable variables in your annual point total, yet most Soldiers leave them on the table. This guide breaks down exactly what DL points in the Army are, how they're earned, which official platforms grant them, and what supplementary courses can sharpen the skills that promotions boards and leadership positions actually demand. ## What Are DL Points in the Army? DL points — short for distance learning points — are retirement and promotion points awarded to Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers for completing approved self-directed education outside of traditional classroom or resident training environments. In the Army's retirement point system, a Soldier can earn up to 130 membership/inactive duty points annually just by completing online courses through approved Army channels. These count toward the 50-point minimum threshold required to earn a "qualifying year" of service for retirement eligibility. For Active Component Soldiers, DL points appear in the Officer Record Brief (ORB) or Enlisted Record Brief (ERB) under the Professional Military Education section. Promotion boards reviewing records at the SGT through CSM or LT through COL levels do see PME completion status, and DL activity signals self-initiated professional development — something boards note positively in competitive records. ### DL Points vs. Retirement Points: What's the Difference? Retirement points include several categories: membership points (15 per year automatically), active duty points (1 per day on orders), inactive duty training points (1 per 4-hour period), and membership in professional organizations. DL points fall under the "correspondence/online courses" category — typically 1 point per completed lesson or module, depending on the issuing institution and course structure. Points from civilian platforms like Coursera or Udemy do not automatically count as Army DL points. They must either go through an Army-accredited pathway or be applied for college credit that then converts to retirement points. ## Where to Actually Earn DL Points in the Army The Army maintains several official platforms where course completions translate directly into retirement and PME points. These are the primary sources: ### Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) JKO (jko.jten.mil) is the primary DOD-wide distance learning portal. Hundreds of courses covering force protection, SHARP, cybersecurity awareness, and joint operations are available, and many carry retirement point credit. Completion certificates export directly into a Soldier's training record. ### Army e-Learning (SkillPort) Army e-Learning through SkillPort/Percipio provides access to thousands of commercial IT and business courses at no cost. Soldiers who complete courses in specific tracks — particularly in IT and cybersecurity — can earn Army-recognized training that supports both DL point accumulation and civilian certification preparation. ### ATRRS (Army Training Requirements and Resources System) ATRRS is the enrollment hub for formally scheduled Army courses. Many distributed learning (DL) versions of NCOES and officer courses are enrolled through ATRRS. Completing a DL version of a resident course (where available) earns the same PME credit as attending in person. ### Army Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) Army COOL connects Soldiers to civilian credentials that align with their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Some COOL-aligned certifications earned through civilian platforms count toward PME credit once documentation is submitted through official channels. ## How Civilian Courses Support Your DL Points Army Strategy Civilian platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Educative don't grant Army retirement points by default. However, they serve two legitimate functions in a Soldier's professional development plan: 1. College credit pathways: Some Udemy and Coursera courses align with ACE (American Council on Education) credit recommendations. College credit earned can then be submitted for retirement point conversion — typically 3 points per semester hour. 2. Skill development that directly supports MOS proficiency and competitive promotion records: A 42A (Human Resources Specialist) who demonstrates QuickBooks proficiency, or a 25U (Signal Support Systems Specialist) who completes cybersecurity courses, stands out during NCOER ratings and DA board reviews. The courses below are civilian professional development picks — selected because they build skills with genuine utility in Army administrative, logistics, finance, and communications roles. They won't automatically generate DL points, but they develop the competencies that promotion boards look for and may be applicable toward college credit pathways depending on your institution. ## Top Courses for Army Career Development ### The Ultimate QuickBooks Pro Training Bundle – 70+ Hours QuickBooks is widely used in Army finance, contracting, and unit fund administration. This 70-hour bundle is practical preparation for Soldiers in 36-series (Finance) or 42-series (HR) MOS tracks who want to build marketable accounting skills that translate directly into their daily duties and post-service civilian roles. ### Use Canva to Create Desktop and Mobile-Friendly Web Pages Army Public Affairs, unit S6 shops, and command teams increasingly rely on digital communication tools. This Coursera course covers practical design and web layout skills using Canva — relevant for Soldiers in 46-series (Public Affairs), staff roles producing briefings, or unit social media coordinators managing command presence. ### Handling Financial Services with Square API in Python Python scripting is increasingly relevant in Army Signal, Cyber, and G6/S6 environments. This Educative course takes a practical approach to API integration and financial data handling — useful background for Soldiers pursuing 17-series (Cyber) or 25-series (Signal) career paths who want to augment their technical credentials. ### Aromatherapy Candle Making (Certified) Course For Soldiers pursuing side business ventures or transitioning out of service, this certified course covers small-batch product creation and is a low-cost entry point into the candle and wellness market — a practical skill for Soldiers building entrepreneurial income streams during or after service. ### How to Make Candles – Candle Making for Beginners A beginner-friendly companion to the certified candle course above, this Udemy course is a practical introduction for Soldiers interested in starting a small cottage business. Many service members supplement income through micro-enterprises during deployments or remote assignments. ### Magic in the Middle Ages This Coursera course from the University of Barcelona is a well-reviewed humanities elective that may qualify for college credit through ACE-aligned pathways. Soldiers enrolled in degree programs who need elective credits to maintain or advance their education may find it a low-friction completion toward credit accumulation. ## Strategies to Maximize Your DL Points Army Accumulation ### Set a Monthly JKO Target JKO courses range from 30 minutes to several hours. Blocking one 2-hour session per week — even on a deployment or TDY — is enough to complete 4-6 courses per month. Across a 12-month period, that adds up to 48-72 completions. Map your annual point target and work backward to a weekly time commitment. ### Stack Army e-Learning with Certification Prep Army SkillPort/Percipio is free and includes CompTIA, Microsoft, and other vendor-aligned content. If you're pursuing a Security+ or Network+ for your MOS, take the Army e-Learning path first. You're effectively double-dipping: building toward a civilian cert while potentially earning DL credit. ### Submit Civilian Credits Through Your Education Center Soldiers who complete ACE-evaluated courses can submit transcripts to their Army Education Center for retirement point credit. This process requires documentation — keep every completion certificate from Coursera, Udemy, or Educative, and check with your Education Center counselor on current conversion rates and acceptable institutions. ### Use CLEP and DSST for High-Value Point Conversion College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) are free for Soldiers and convert directly to college credit — which then converts to retirement points. A single CLEP exam can yield 3-6 semester hours. This is the highest-leverage per-hour method for earning retirement points through education. ## FAQ ### Do DL points count toward Army retirement? Yes. Distance learning points from Army-approved sources (JKO, ATRRS DL courses, Army e-Learning) count toward your annual retirement point total. They fall under the "correspondence course" category, with the maximum creditable points varying by regulation (currently up to 130 inactive duty and membership points combined per year). ### Can Udemy or Coursera courses give me DL points directly? Not directly. Civilian platform courses do not automatically appear in your military training record or generate Army retirement points. However, if you earn college credit for the course through an ACE-aligned pathway or accredited institution, that credit can be submitted through your Education Center for conversion to retirement points. ### How many DL points do I need per year? There is no specific DL point minimum — the requirement is 50 total retirement points per year to earn a "qualifying year." DL points are one tool toward that threshold, alongside membership points (15 automatic), IDT (drill) points, and active duty points. ### Does JKO give retirement points? Some JKO courses carry retirement point credit, but not all. When you browse JKO course listings, check for "Retirement Points Creditable" in the course details. Completion certificates should be saved and submitted through your unit S1 or Reserve Component career management system. ### What's the difference between DL points and PME credit? DL points are retirement point credit earned through distance learning. PME credit is completion of a professional military education course (like WLC, ALC, SLC, or CCC). A DL version of an NCOES course earns both — retirement points and PME credit. Generic JKO courses usually earn only retirement points, not PME completion. ### Can I earn DL points while deployed? Yes. JKO and Army e-Learning are accessible from any internet-connected device, and many courses are available offline. Deployed Soldiers often find deployment an ideal time to complete DL requirements since their daily schedule, while demanding, doesn't include the weekend drill and admin obligations of the Reserve Component garrison cycle. ## Bottom Line DL points in the Army are earned through official channels — JKO, ATRRS DL courses, and Army e-Learning — not automatically through civilian course platforms. If you're a Reserve or National Guard Soldier trying to hit your 50-point qualifying year threshold, start with JKO and your Army Education Center before purchasing civilian courses. That said, civilian courses on platforms like Coursera and Udemy serve a real purpose: they build MOS-relevant skills, prepare you for industry certifications, and may qualify for college credit that converts to retirement points through your Education Center. The QuickBooks bundle and Python API course above are specifically worth considering for finance, admin, and tech-track Soldiers who want to develop dual-use skills that matter both in uniform and on the civilian resume. The highest-leverage move for most Soldiers: combine free Army e-Learning with a CLEP or DSST exam each quarter. Zero cost, high point value, and a college transcript that follows you after ETS. ## Looking for the best course? Start here: - The Adobe Guide: Which Tool to Learn First (and How) - How to Learn Cybersecurity Online: Roadmap, Courses & Timeline - The Practical TensorFlow Guide: Learn Deep Learning in 2026 ## Related Articles Course Reviews ### Generative AI for Marketing with Microsoft 365 Copilot: Professional Certificate Review Detailed review of the Generative AI for Marketing with Microsoft 365 Copilot Professional Certificate — content, projects, and career value. 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