Fluid Power Professionals and The Military
G.I. Bill Information
The IFPS is an approved organization by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide reimbursement for certification test fees. If you are eligible, the VA can reimburse you for taking IFPS-approved certification tests.
You may be eligible if you qualify for any of the following:
- Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB)
- Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR) (Public Law 109-163 enacted January 6, 2006)
- Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) (Public Law 109-163 enacted January 6, 2006)
- Veterans Educational Assistance (VEAP)
- Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA)
The following IFPS certification tests are approved for reimbursement:
- Industrial Hydraulic Technician
- Mobile Hydraulic Technician
- Pneumatic Technician
- Industrial Hydraulic Mechanic
- Mobile Hydraulic Mechanic
- Pneumatic Mechanic
- Hydraulic Specialist
- Pneumatic Specialist
How Much Can You Receive?
You can receive reimbursement of up to $2,000 per test, but not more than the VA-approved cost of the test. You may receive benefits to retake a test you didn’t pass.
You must be eligible for benefits in order to receive test reimbursement. Your total months of benefits will be reduced each time you receive reimbursement for a certification test.
Where can you get more information?
If you have questions about certification reimbursement or applying for benefits, you can
- Go to the VA site: www.GIBILL.va.gov and click on “Support.”
- Call the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) or for the hearing-impaired call 1-800-829-4833.
Army COOL and Navy COOL
Many IFPS certifications are approved through Army COOL and Navy COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line.) Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, recertification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Army or Navy’s Credential Program office.
COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) helps Army and Navy Service members find information on certifications and licenses related to enlisted ratings, designators, collateral duties/out-of-rate assignments, and officer designators. COOL explains how sailors and soldiers can meet civilian certification and license requirements, and provides links to numerous resources to help get them started.
COOL is a resource for
- Service Members (enlisted and officers) who want to know what civilian credentials relate to their ratings, designators, and collateral duties/out-of-rate assignments and how to obtain the credentials
- Education, Career, and Transition Counselors providing guidance on education, professional growth, and career requirements and opportunities
- Recruiters who want to show potential recruits the opportunities for professional growth and civilian career preparation available through Army and Navy service
- Employers and Credentialing Boards interested in how military training and experience prepares Army and Navy service members for civilian credentials and jobs
IFPS Military Discounts are designed for active duty military or active duty reservist personnel. Visit www.ifps.org or call 800-308-6005.
- Membership Discounts
- Certification Test Fee Discounts
Veterans Who Attended the IFPS Annual Meeting in Charleston, SC
Robert E. “Bob” Kraft
CFPE/CFPS-Retired
Bio: Co-founder (retired) of Kraft Fluid Systems and 2007 IFPS President
Military Experience: Bob was on active duty in the U.S. Navy from September 1961 to February 1965. After graduating from the Naval Officer Candidate School, Newport, R.I., and Navy Marine Engineering School, San Diego, Calif., he was assigned as an engineering officer aboard the USS Taluga (AO-62), a Navy oiler. He served aboard for two cruises of the western Pacific refueling ships in the South China Sea. In 1963, he was assigned as a project engineer to the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, Corona, Calif., which had fusing responsibility for all air and surface-launched Navy missiles.
Jeff Kenney
CFPIHM, CFPMHM, CFPMHT
Bio: President and CEO of Coastal Hydraulics, Inc., and Director-at-Large for the IFPS Board of Directors
Military Experience: U.S. Navy 1988-1997 Active Duty. Machinist Mate Third Class Petty Officer. Mr. Kenney also received several awards, including Desert Storm/Desert Shield Medal and Navy Good Conduct Medal.
1988-1993: USS PYRO AE-24 Ship Duty
1993-1996: Naval Consolidated Brig, Charleston, SC
1996-1997: USS Mount Baker AE-34 Ship Duty
Mark Perry
CFPHS
Bio: Sales Manager at Fitzsimmons Hydraulics and 2013 IFPS President
Military Experience: US Army, 1970-71
Randall D. Smith
CFPAI/JPP, CFPHS
Bio: Sr. Systems Test Engineer, Northrop Grumman Marine Systems
Military Experience: Randall spent 12 years as a nuclear Machinist Mate aboard submarines. After Nuclear Power School, he spent four years on the USS Will Rogers SSBN 659, a year on the USS Fulton AS-11, two years at the Enlisted Education Advanced Program attending college at the University of New Haven, and a final four years as the M-Division LPO on the USS Kamehameha SSN-642. After active duty, he spent four years as utilities man in the Naval Reserves in Brave Company of NMCB 23.
Jean Knowles
CFPE, CFPS
Bio: Area Vice President, Applied Industrial Technologies and 2014 Chairman of the Fluid Power Educational Foundation
Military Experience: Commander Knowles entered the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1991 as a midshipman at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Her extensive military experience includes serving as Commanding Officer of NR Commander Fleet Activities Chinhae South Korea Detachment 8 supported by Navy Operation Support Center Boise, ID (2007-2009), as well as Training and Operations Officer with U.S. Pacific Command Detachment 501 as a military planner (2010-2012). She currently still is a SELRES but also maintains her USCG licenses and is within the U.S. Navy MMR community as a third mate and third assistant engineer. As a selective reservist, she is committed to drill one weekend a month and at least two weeks a year on deployment.
Thomas Blansett
CFPAI, CFPS, CFPCC, CFPIHT
Bio: Product Manager – Engineered Systems/Behco-MRM and 2014 IFPS President
Military Experience: Tom served in the U.S. Navy for nine years and nine months active duty and then for another six years in the active US Naval Reserve. He was honorably discharged as a Machinist’s Mate Chief Petty Officer (E-7). He was a certified Naval Instructor and Curriculum Developer and recipient of two Navy Achievement medals along with numerous citations and letters of commendation during his service. He also served as a nuclear power plant mechanical operator on a submarine.
Justin Sergeant
CFPS, CFPMHM
Bio: Sales Specialist, Seven Stars Industries and IFPS Vice President Marketing and Public Relations
Military Experience: Justin was a mechanical supervisor of the nuclear power plant engine room of Trident Class submarines. He held several collateral duties for the Mechanical Division of the Engineering Department to include the training program coordinator and director of assurance.
Denis M. Poirier, Jr.
CFPCC, CFPIHM, CFPAI, CFPAIJP
Bio: North American Interim Training Manager – Sr. Training Specialist, Eaton Hydraulics Group
Military Experience: Denis began his career in the U.S. Navy. His primary job specialty incorporated the operation, maintenance, and repair of major and minor caliber weapons delivery systems, associated small arms, and support equipment. He has over 20 years of honorable military service. He completed a tour as a military instructor where he qualified as a Master Training Specialist and Senior Instructor of the Year.
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