Posted on Jan 16, 2016
SFL-TAP. Let's share some knowledge. Anyone else going thru it now?
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I know there are some other posts out there about SFL-TAP(a little dated). So if MODS want to combine that's ok. I just started mine(11 Jan 16), and wanted to share some thoughts and observations.
1. Biggest take away I've gotten is the classes so far is you will get out of it what YOU want to take advantage of using.
2. Yes some of the classes are redundant(I won't say waste of time), but you'll learn at least 1 bit of info you weren't aware of.
3. The 3 day DOL class I thought was good. They give you a base/starting point(if you haven't already started your job search/resume). Writing your resume and "converting" your military skills to civilian speak is "interesting" to say the least, but in a class room environment you can present it to the class and get feedback from different perspectives.
4. I know at the beginning of my class (day 1) they had a info sheet asking what other resources you would like assistance with. Whether or not you filled it out honestly and take advantage of it is entirely up to you. I checked a couple of different classes I would like and by end of week I already had appointments set up.
5. At Ft Campbell every Wed they have a mini job fair at the SFL-TAP building with 7-8 different companies. If you are ere for the whole week that was excellent. I got a couple of job leads, and it's a good start to get your "feet wet" talking to civilian recruiters and networking. I actually have a couple of tentative job offers from it once I finish tweeting my resume to the companies I'm looking at.
6. DO NOT sell yourself short. Meaning you may not think you have many transferable skills to the civilian market, but you do. To me that was a HUGE take away from the DOL workshop. You really need to think outside the box.
7. The Staff is/are OUTSTANDING. Extremely helpful with any question you have and if they don't know the answer they'll get you pointed in right direction.
I know a lot of the Sr Leaders have (hopefully) plans in place etc. Jr Soldiers that are transitioning really need to take advantage of what they have to offer. Hell its free services to help and assist you.
These are some of my observations from my first step towards transitioning. I'm going thru Ft Campbell so opinions may vary from post to post and individual to individual.
1. Biggest take away I've gotten is the classes so far is you will get out of it what YOU want to take advantage of using.
2. Yes some of the classes are redundant(I won't say waste of time), but you'll learn at least 1 bit of info you weren't aware of.
3. The 3 day DOL class I thought was good. They give you a base/starting point(if you haven't already started your job search/resume). Writing your resume and "converting" your military skills to civilian speak is "interesting" to say the least, but in a class room environment you can present it to the class and get feedback from different perspectives.
4. I know at the beginning of my class (day 1) they had a info sheet asking what other resources you would like assistance with. Whether or not you filled it out honestly and take advantage of it is entirely up to you. I checked a couple of different classes I would like and by end of week I already had appointments set up.
5. At Ft Campbell every Wed they have a mini job fair at the SFL-TAP building with 7-8 different companies. If you are ere for the whole week that was excellent. I got a couple of job leads, and it's a good start to get your "feet wet" talking to civilian recruiters and networking. I actually have a couple of tentative job offers from it once I finish tweeting my resume to the companies I'm looking at.
6. DO NOT sell yourself short. Meaning you may not think you have many transferable skills to the civilian market, but you do. To me that was a HUGE take away from the DOL workshop. You really need to think outside the box.
7. The Staff is/are OUTSTANDING. Extremely helpful with any question you have and if they don't know the answer they'll get you pointed in right direction.
I know a lot of the Sr Leaders have (hopefully) plans in place etc. Jr Soldiers that are transitioning really need to take advantage of what they have to offer. Hell its free services to help and assist you.
These are some of my observations from my first step towards transitioning. I'm going thru Ft Campbell so opinions may vary from post to post and individual to individual.
Transition
Retirement
ACAP/Soldier for Life (SFL-TAP)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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I just went through the process a year ago. I ended up in a situation that many senior NCO's probably find themselves.........
I cut myself short and didn't take the time to take care of myself. I thought I was going to be extended on Active Duty and 4 days before my orders were over we found out that no extension was coming through. I had completed a few of the mandatory classes but I was no where close to where I needed to be. Unfortunately the TAP/SFL office that I was working with was not much assistance. They were more concerned about ensuring that the mandatory BS was done instead of focusing on setting me up for success. (Yes I know I didn't set myself up for success but the situation was no fault of my own) I believe that the program at my installation was more focused on junior enlisted Soldiers. (We were a TRADOC post and the vast majority of Soldiers being separated were junior enlisted Soldiers being chaptered from BCT. Demographics were primarily 18-25 with little or no college education) I found the mandatory budget worksheet insulting. It was very intrusive, my mother or my wife wasn't going to make me justify how much money I spent in a vending machine each week so why was it ok for a civilian without a degree in financial planning? I ended up clearing the post on my own personal time and dime. Sold back 56 days of leave, and moved back to my HOR to get back in my feet. I did end working with a head hunter company called Bradley Morris. They work with NCO's and officers and do all of the leg work for you. You provide your resume, they help you tweak it, and then they find suitable positions and set up interviews. They are very proactive and it doesn't cost you a penny. I also worked extensively with my states Department Of Labor DVOP. I eventually got a job on my own with CSX Railroad. (They love the military) unfortunately after 24 weeks of training I was furloughed and back looking for another job. I recently accepted a federal position and am awaiting for a start date.
My recommendations:
1. You get out what you put in. Finding gainful employment takes work. Be prepared for rejection and take it as a lesson learned. (I literally have applied for over 120 jobs over the past six months.
2. You have spent countless years "taking care of Soldiers". Now is the time you need to take care of yourself! Someone else will have to step up and do your job after you retire. There will still be problems that arise but they are no longer your problems. Your focus needs to be on you and your family. Their transition is just as important as yours.
3. Keep things in perspective. You have been given a lot of responsibility throughout your military career. But when you take off the uniform you are simply a veteran. It doesn't necessarily matter what rank you got out as, how many deployments you did, what "Hooah" schools you went to or what you got as a retirement award.
Good luck in your transition!
I cut myself short and didn't take the time to take care of myself. I thought I was going to be extended on Active Duty and 4 days before my orders were over we found out that no extension was coming through. I had completed a few of the mandatory classes but I was no where close to where I needed to be. Unfortunately the TAP/SFL office that I was working with was not much assistance. They were more concerned about ensuring that the mandatory BS was done instead of focusing on setting me up for success. (Yes I know I didn't set myself up for success but the situation was no fault of my own) I believe that the program at my installation was more focused on junior enlisted Soldiers. (We were a TRADOC post and the vast majority of Soldiers being separated were junior enlisted Soldiers being chaptered from BCT. Demographics were primarily 18-25 with little or no college education) I found the mandatory budget worksheet insulting. It was very intrusive, my mother or my wife wasn't going to make me justify how much money I spent in a vending machine each week so why was it ok for a civilian without a degree in financial planning? I ended up clearing the post on my own personal time and dime. Sold back 56 days of leave, and moved back to my HOR to get back in my feet. I did end working with a head hunter company called Bradley Morris. They work with NCO's and officers and do all of the leg work for you. You provide your resume, they help you tweak it, and then they find suitable positions and set up interviews. They are very proactive and it doesn't cost you a penny. I also worked extensively with my states Department Of Labor DVOP. I eventually got a job on my own with CSX Railroad. (They love the military) unfortunately after 24 weeks of training I was furloughed and back looking for another job. I recently accepted a federal position and am awaiting for a start date.
My recommendations:
1. You get out what you put in. Finding gainful employment takes work. Be prepared for rejection and take it as a lesson learned. (I literally have applied for over 120 jobs over the past six months.
2. You have spent countless years "taking care of Soldiers". Now is the time you need to take care of yourself! Someone else will have to step up and do your job after you retire. There will still be problems that arise but they are no longer your problems. Your focus needs to be on you and your family. Their transition is just as important as yours.
3. Keep things in perspective. You have been given a lot of responsibility throughout your military career. But when you take off the uniform you are simply a veteran. It doesn't necessarily matter what rank you got out as, how many deployments you did, what "Hooah" schools you went to or what you got as a retirement award.
Good luck in your transition!
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SFC (Join to see)
I am not shocked. Write your congressman and request strict oversight of the SFL-TAP program. I am working on legislation that will make it punitive to push soldiers through to achieve numbers. If you need assistance with writing your congressman let me know. What happened to you is criminal. I have not doubt they reported up the chain and to congress that you were properly and successfully counseled to keep their funding levels. Lets take this process back and make it ours and not just some greedy contractor who could care less about your life.
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It sounds like your SFL-TAP office is much better than the one we have here. I started my classes last week, as well, but was given no information on what the other classes would cover. The set up for the DOL workshop was extremely poor, and there were no computers or wifi available to go over networking and review some of the online tools available. A few of us from the class tried talking to the counselors about these issues, and were completely disregarded. Additionally, I tried to talk to the counselors about missing a few hours of the OPTIONAL classes due to schedule conflicts, to try and determine if I could still take the class and get what information I could for the time I was there (I'm in two college classes that would have some overlap).
The workshop itself seemed very focused on acquiring federal jobs, and wasn't very applicable to those looking to go back to school or pursuing non-federal options. I personally felt that smaller class sizes (we have ~50 soldiers in the class, 1 instructor) and more student interaction (instead of lecturing) would have been more beneficial.
The workshop itself seemed very focused on acquiring federal jobs, and wasn't very applicable to those looking to go back to school or pursuing non-federal options. I personally felt that smaller class sizes (we have ~50 soldiers in the class, 1 instructor) and more student interaction (instead of lecturing) would have been more beneficial.
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SFC (Join to see)
SGT Kristin Wiley I think we had MAYBE a 1 hr block of Fed hiring process. I lost focus, started drooling, and went cross-eyed after about 5 min, and went back to work on my resume(actually 2 different ones..lol).
Sorry to hear about no computers, wi-fi etc. We had laptops at each seat and files on the laptops with all the pertinent information. If you need any links digitally send me a message. I emailed all the cheat sheets to myself so I would have them.
Sorry to hear about no computers, wi-fi etc. We had laptops at each seat and files on the laptops with all the pertinent information. If you need any links digitally send me a message. I emailed all the cheat sheets to myself so I would have them.
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SGT Kristin Wiley
SFC (Join to see) The instructor had been told that laptops with internet would be available. It appeared that it was the fault of the SFL-TAP center to provide this. It is my opinion, that the SFL-TAP center failed to reschedule this workshop or notify the instructor of the issue. Based on my experiences, I would not anticipate that these issues would be resolved by the next class date.
I, personally, am planning on attending medical school, and will be working with my University advisers to ensure that I am on track for my professional goals. Since the medical school process is very particular, the information the workshop offered wasn't relevant enough for me to consider retaking.
I'll likely submit an ICE comment concerning the experience, and hopefully it will improve for future soldiers taking these courses.
I, personally, am planning on attending medical school, and will be working with my University advisers to ensure that I am on track for my professional goals. Since the medical school process is very particular, the information the workshop offered wasn't relevant enough for me to consider retaking.
I'll likely submit an ICE comment concerning the experience, and hopefully it will improve for future soldiers taking these courses.
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There are a couple related threads going. I am also in the TAP pipeline, I finished the 5 day TU. I have the Education track coming up. If you know retirement is coming for you, you can do TAP 2 years out! And do it again, in part or as a whole!
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-far-in-advance-can-active-duty-service-members-from-all-branches-start-training-or-looking-for-employment?urlhash=1225732
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-far-in-advance-can-active-duty-service-members-from-all-branches-start-training-or-looking-for-employment?urlhash=1225732
How far in advance can active duty service members from all branches start training or looking...
How far in advance can active duty service members from all branches start training or looking for employment? It is 90 Days? Is it 30 days? What is the transition period allowed an active service member today? What do the regulations allow for in the various service branches for transitioning service members either leaving the service voluntarily at the end of their enlistment, being separated due to force reductions, medically being released...
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LTC Jason Mackay
At TU, they go to dozens of web sites. It is fast. I copied the links as they went. I post them all in this thread.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-are-recommended-resources-for-veterans-to-help-produce-the-best-resumes-possible?page=2&urlhash=1219448#1219448
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-are-recommended-resources-for-veterans-to-help-produce-the-best-resumes-possible?page=2&urlhash=1219448#1219448
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SFC (Join to see)
LTC Jason Mackay They have share folders on all the laptops at Campbell that have all the blocks. I emailed all the relevant "cheat sheets" ie: websites and pertinent info to myself. Definitely the "drinking water thru a fire hose" method. Lol. Going to spend the weekend going thru everything and getting HH6 up to speed especially on the spouse assistance. She's a Aircraft Mechanic(Fed A&P) so I know the job assistance portion will help.
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