Each year approximately 200,000 servicemembers transition from military service to civilian life, according to the Department of Defense. Through Title 10 U.S. Code Ch. 58, Services are required to provide benefits, including transition assistance, to those being separated or recently separated.
Now, that was probably a little dry to start. Ultimately, it’s required that Soldiers attend some of these programs, but it should be more than just a check the box event.
Now that you’ve decided to ETS, we’ll discuss a brief history of the Army’s Transition Assistance Program, an overview of some of your requirements, and why you shouldn’t just show up to check the box.
History of Transition Assistance
In 1990, following a period of mandated reductions, Congress directed the DOD to establish an assistance program for those transitioning personnel. snaps fingers And, the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) was born.
The idea was to help ease the burden on Service Members, Department of the Army Civilians (DAC), and their families as they went through career changes. ACAP was comprised of Master’s Degree educated career counselors who received significant training to care for separating Soldiers and DACs.
By 1991, the program spread world-wide and in 1998 counted 45 functioning ACAP sites.
Fast forward to 2014. Enter Soldier for Life: Transition Assistance Program. The rebranding expanded the services offered.
But wait, there’s more. In October 2020, the Army G-1 approved the TAP program, finally dropping the Soldier for Life bit. I was personally never a fan of the phrase Soldier for Life, and I’m confident it was the butt of more than one joke.
From ACAP to TAP, the purpose remained the same — provide support for the well-being and transition of those separating.
When do I Start TAP?
For most, the TAP process begins between 13-18 months before separation. However, retirees have the benefit of starting at 24 months. The first steps are scheduling an appointment with your local TAP counselor.
Initial and Pre-Separation Counseling
By the time you reach 12 months from separation, this NEEDS to be done.
The individualized initial counseling starts your TAP process. You complete a self-assessment to help identify specific concerns and goals for your transition. You’ll also begin your Individual Transition Plan (ITP).
The pre-separation counseling tells you what TAP offers — services, benefits, curriculum, and requirements for your ITP.
Transition Day
Next up, you’ll get gain some resilience, go over the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Crosswalk, and become more financially literate during a financial planning module.
The Managing Your Transition (MY Transition) goes deeper into your transition concerns. There’s a specific focus on the differences in the culture of military service and the identity of servicemembers vs. that of civilian life. The module focuses on mitigating the stress caused by these concerns during your transition.
The MOS Crosswalk helps identify skills you have, which you may not be considering, as they relate to the civilian workforce.
Financial Planning for Transition helps to identify and plan for financial responsibilities, obligations, and goals after transition. You work with a counselor to develop a 12-month budget.
Workshops
TAP requires attending the Department of Labor (DoL) Employment Workshop, but also offers a few optional 2-day transition tracks. Depending on your specific goals post-transition, you should definitely attend the optional workshop in the direction you’re heading. Hell, check them all out just for the added benefit, in case you change your mind later.
DoL Employment Workshop
The DOL provides this workshop to help with job searches by providing professional training on how to — write resumes and cover letters, put your best foot forward in interviews, and conduct job searches.
From this workshop, you’ll walk away having practiced interviewing, a drafted Master Resume, and the knowledge of how to tailor your resume to specific job postings.
This mandatory workshop is your launch pad to all of the other separation tracks, so don’t wait until the last minute on this one.
Managing Your Education
During Managing Your Education, you’ll conduct research to find the educational opportunities that suit you best. You’ll compare and contrast schools, determine which courses will work for you — in-person or online, and start the application process.
If you’re planning to go to college, consider getting this course done early. That will allow time for your application to get accepted and you won’t miss a semester, especially if you’re counting on the military housing allowance you get as a full time student with the Post-911 GI Bill.
Don’t worry, you’ll get over being the old guy or girl in class, too.
Introduction to Entrepreneurship
This 2-day workshop introduces participants to business ownership and entrepreneurship fundamentals. You’ll gain skills, knowledge, and resources to help you start a business.
From here, if you choose, you can continue with the Boots to Business (B2B) and other Small Business Administration (SBA) offerings.
You’ll want to do this soon, so you can get tied into all of the resources available so you are prepared to launch your business shortly after you separate.
Vocational Training Track
The Vocational 2-day workshop gives you a unique opportunity to complete a personalized assessment of occupational abilities and interests. It gives you a variety of job recommendations based on your interests and skills.
You’ll explore the labor markets you’re interested in to help you make a decision whether the job market in a field will be sustainable.
Finally, you’ll be able to look into apprenticeship opportunities, which is why I recommend you knock this course out early. That way you’ll have time to find an opportunity to pursue an internship or apprenticeship during the last 180 days of your contract, while still receiving your pay and entitlements from the Army. Many of these programs result in a job offer when it’s done.
As you start the path towards separation, the Transition Assistance Program is going to be a driving force. I challenge you not to let it be the only force in preparing you for life after the Army.
Don’t wait for the mandatory events in TAP to start your preparation. Start now by doing some entry-level research into your future.
If you do this, you’ll be prepared with the right questions when attending the workshops to maximize your benefit.
Your future is in your hands, now, not in those of HRC or your leadership.
If you’re starting TAP, let me know in the comments below which portions of the TAP curriculum were most beneficial to you. And, if you want to be notified when new content is posted, click subscribe!
