Webinar: Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Learning Days: Empowering Service Members to Pursue their Education Journey (Part 2)

Held on: October 3rd

The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, also known as DANTES, has been providing education and career planning programs at no-cost to actively serving U.S. service members, including those in the National Guard, Reserve components and the Coast Guard for 50 years, as of July 31, 2024. DANTES manages a portfolio of programs and products that help more than 600K service members reach their personal and professional education goals annually. This event will delve into how to empower service members to pursue their education journey through a holistic approach to using DANTES programs and products. 

Learning Outcomes:

Join us for DANTES Learning Days, Part 2. This event will focus on guiding the service member in their education journey using DANTES programs. We’ll explore resources to quick start the service members education pathway through the Credit by Examination Program (www.DANTES.mil/CLEP/) (www.DANTES.mil/DSST), helping them earn college credit for what they already know. Additionally, we’ll discuss the TA DECIDE college comparison tool to help the service member decide what Academic Institution is the best fit for them (www.DANTES.mil/TADECIDE), and available overseas education support (www.DANTES.mil/OCONUS/) to encourage the service member to continue pursuing their education goals regardless of where they serve. DANTES programs save the service member time, tuition assistance costs, and can help accelerate their education journey.

Mr. Matthew Schwantz

Title: Credit by Examination Program Manager
Organization: Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)

Profile:
Mr. Matthew W. Schwantz serves as the DANTES Credit by Examination Program Manager, a Prior Learning Assessment program that provides the DoD and Military Services with a means to evaluate, document and translate prior learning into college credit recommendations.

Mr. Schwantz served in the following positions before coming to DANTES in January 2019:

• Personnel Security Manager, Naval Hospital Pensacola, FL (2017-2019)
• Stay-at-Home Dad, Substitute Teacher, Graduate Student, Professional Musician, Escambia, FL (2014-2016)
• Learning Standards Officer/Senior Instructor/Master Training Specialist (MTS), Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit (NORU), Pensacola, FL (2009-2013)

He is a retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer (1993-2013), who served as a Damage
Controlman (Firefighter), Command Career Counselor, Navy Career Recruiter, Master Training Specialist/Instructor, and Senior Enlisted Leader.  Mr. Schwantz holds an MBA from Columbia Southern University, January 2017.

Mr. Mark Yates

Title: DoD MOU and TA DECIDE Program Manager
Organization: Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)

Profile:
Mr. Mark Yates serves as the DANTES DoD MOU and TA DECIDE Program Manager. 
 
Mr. Yates served in the following positions before joining DANTES in January 2023:

•  US Navy (1997-2022)
•  Director of Training Navy Recruiting Command (2017-2020)
•  Navy Instructor Pilot / Training Squadron Commanding Officer (2000-2016)

Mr. Yates holds a BA in History and Business from University of Texas Austin, 1995.

Ms. Laura Dean

Title: Contingency Overseas Education Support Program Manager
Organization: Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)

Profile:
Ms. Laura Dean is the Contingency Overseas Education Support Program Manager, providing
education services and resources to military members serving outside of the continental U.S.
(OCONUS). 

Ms. Dean served in the following positions before coming to DANTES in December 2020:

• Chief of Education and Training, HQ Pacific Air Forces (2008-2020)
• Education Services Specialist, HQ Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, Hawaii (2005-2008)
• Education Services Officer, Andersen AFB, Guam (2003-2005)

Ms. Dean holds an M.A. in Professional Counseling, 2001. For more information on DANTES programs, please visit www.DANTES.mil or contact us by email at dodhra-outreach-dantes@mail.mil.