My name is Christine, and I am the proud wife of a U.S. Marine. I am thrilled to be the first student enrolled in CRAH under Military One Source’s MyCAA program, and I am excited to say that the Military One Source MyCAA program paid completely for my training with CRAH for a portable career. While researching my training options, it looked like my only option was to attend a two- or four-year college, but then I found CRAH. The more I read about it, the more I realized this was the program for me. Not only was it a self-paced course that I could do from home, I can also take it with me anywhere. It teaches the only NCRA-approved theory created specifically for home study students.

Shortly after making my decision to become a CRAH student, it was brought to my attention that the Department of Defense’s Military One Source program had created the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA), which provides financial assistance (grants) to some military spouses who are looking to pursue licenses, certificates, credentials or degree programs leading to employment in what they consider a portable career. I immediately felt that CRAH would be a perfect addition to the list of approved training programs offered through MyCAA… and they agreed. Thanks to Linda Bland’s support and efforts, Court Reporting and Captioning at Home/SSD Enterprises is officially on the list of training courses approved by the MyCAA program.

I was so excited when I received the course material and immediately began my training. Shortly thereafter, we received Orders to relocate, which forced me to put my studies on hold for a couple of months. I did not have to worry, knowing that CRAH offers the flexibility to do this on “my schedule.” Now that the move is behind us, I am able to pick up right where I left off. The lessons are easy to follow… and fun! Also knowing that there is a fantastic Support Department on hand to assist with any questions is very reassuring. Not only is this such a wonderful opportunity for me, it can be for so many other active duty military spouses looking to train towards a rewarding (and portable) career. Thanks to CRAH, my career is now possible.
-Christine M., Marine Spouse

P. Bradshaw, Member Alabama National Guard

I am a member of the Alabama National Guard and am deployed in Kuwait. The MyCAA program was not offered when I began my training. I paid for the SSD Enterprises, Inc. Court Reporting and Captioning at Home program myself, and it is the best move I ever made.

During my deployment I found CRAH as I was surfing the internet looking for online Court Reporting Schools. Never taking online or home courses before, I was skeptical at first, but after reading all of the positive statements about the program and the CRAH Support Staff, I took the chance and ordered it. I immediately started the Theory Lessons as soon as I received my stenograph machine and course materials. I got through the Theory portion of the course in six weeks and found the lessons easy to comprehend and fun. It is obvious a lot of time and effort has been put into the program as it is laid out to make it simple to understand and with a flow that makes sense.

With the lessons being in color, that helped me to differentiate between previous and new material. There are also a lot of encouraging statements placed throughout the lessons that helped me want to drive on! Now, for CRAH Support Staff, I cannot sing their praises enough. They have been extremely encouraging, supportive and motivating through my speed-building process. They are very quick to respond to my questions and offer very professional and encouraging support, and they help keep me motivated to move through this speed-building process. This kind of support is what makes a person want to persevere, get through the tough times, and make them (and especially yourself) proud of all your accomplishments!

Even being deployed, I have not had many issues finding the time for practice. I can take it with me no matter where I go. I am looking forward to completing the course and venturing off into a new career field that offers several avenues to pursue. Thanks to CRAH and the WONDERFUL Support Staff, I am well on my way to reaching my ultimate goal of becoming a Broadcast Captioner.
P. Bradshaw

I am a former Navy wife, and when I found CRAH I was getting ready to get married and move across the country and the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. I needed a way to go to school and start a career while being able to travel with the military. CRAH was my answer and has been fabulous. I am proud to say that through the use of CRAH I passed my WKT and am preparing now for my skills test.

Many deployments and moving have gotten in my way of taking the exams earlier, but without CRAH none of this would have been possible. My CRAH program has traveled with me from Alabama, Hawaii, California, Illinois, and now Florida. It has been so nice to have a training program that can go where I go. Life as a military wife is always changing and always stressful. CRAH made going to school and starting a career a lot less stressful and so much easier. I am expecting our first child next month, and I will be able to continue working!

As for the Support Department, I do not know where to begin in singing their praises. They have been truly incredible and have supported me every step along the way. Through discouraging times, lonely times, separation, difficult times with my husband deployed, move after move, and all the happy times in between, they have been here for me with advice and encouraging words.  CRAH is helping me prepare for my RPR certification exam. This is the perfect program for all military wives or soon to be military wives. The MyCAA program was not available when I began my training. I wish it would have, because I had to pay for this program myself.  But I would gladly do it again, because CRAH has truly changed my life.
Hollie W., former Naval Spouse

I recently started the CRAH program as a way to train to be a court reporter while still being with my children. I received my program in the middle of relocating due to my husband being deployed from Hawaii to Iraq. I wanted to move near family for my two small children, yet have a job training program that would not tie me down. That is exactly what CRAH has given me. I study and do my lessons at times that are convenient to me at my own pace. Recently, I had a lot of personal issues going on and was unable to stick with my routine. That is exactly what is so great. I pick up the program whenever I am ready to start again! The program is so much easier than I could have ever imagined. As each lesson goes by I find myself going faster and faster and the material easier to understand. I am only halfway through my lessons at this point, but very much excited to finish as I know after much research the various avenues that it will allow me to pursue. The best part is that I did not have to spend even one dime of my own money. The MyCAA program paid for it!
Bridgett B.