Posted on Jan 29, 2022
Why are Servicemembers not being briefed on services available to them that would help as they transition from the military to civilian life?
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When I retired no one bothered to inform me that leaving the military(Honorable discharge required I believe)servicemembers qualify for up to 6 months unemployment. That's something I could have used as I waited for my VA rating(100%). Even if I wasn't seriously broken physically others need that while trying to transition back to civilian life. My wife and I had to stay with family while waiting on my rating because retirement pay doesn't start as soon as you retire(Omnibus Act)which put a hardship on our family as a whole. You really find out what a person thinks living in close quarters. VA pay doesn't start immediately(again Omnibus Act), and they take 5 months off the top from the time you file for it. I filed for it before I retired about 3 months out. I also heard something about qualifying for temporary housing, but I don't have much information on that. The real concern is that probably 99% of servicemembers aren't prepared for separation and struggle when there are services available that just aren't being briefed as they are leaving.
Posted in these groups: 
Retirement
Retirement
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 10
Not sure how retirement briefings went back in '02, but I can tell you when I ETSd in '03 from Germany, I had to clear some areas that provided information. In fact, an ETS physical was required. And the doctor told me about getting with the VA if need be. There was all kinds of info available then. And now, information is crammed down our throats with SFL-TAP. So, Soldiers today ARE being briefed. Whether or not they listen and/or use the info....well.....that's on them.
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Is the Troll post?
You must have really been failed by your chain of command. Of the things that kind of irk me (being a Reservist) I can't believe how much hand holding retiring soldiers get before they finally cut the cord.
More than once now I've seen (and one of those a subordinate NCO's who's retirement package I had to process with my command signature) service members completely checked out for just about an entire year while on the clock going through the mandatory out processing briefs and civilian integration training, etc.....
I remember being very annoyed after deployment as a Reservist having to sit through briefs in how to look for a job and build a resume............ HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you let me clear out of CRC I can literally GO to my JOB I ALREADY HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway............ I digress. The help is there, and if out processing soldiers are being deflected from that help then something is terribly wrong with the local chain of command.
My observation is that help is rammed down your throat if you want it or not.
You must have really been failed by your chain of command. Of the things that kind of irk me (being a Reservist) I can't believe how much hand holding retiring soldiers get before they finally cut the cord.
More than once now I've seen (and one of those a subordinate NCO's who's retirement package I had to process with my command signature) service members completely checked out for just about an entire year while on the clock going through the mandatory out processing briefs and civilian integration training, etc.....
I remember being very annoyed after deployment as a Reservist having to sit through briefs in how to look for a job and build a resume............ HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you let me clear out of CRC I can literally GO to my JOB I ALREADY HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway............ I digress. The help is there, and if out processing soldiers are being deflected from that help then something is terribly wrong with the local chain of command.
My observation is that help is rammed down your throat if you want it or not.
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The Transition Assistance Program has been mandatory since the FY91 NDAA, and has always included a VA benefits brief.
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/IF10347.pdf
It has only gotten bigger and more intensive every year.
https://www.armytap.army.mil/
If you completely missed it or failed to pay attention, you did so at your own peril.
Out of curiosity, SFL-TAP aside, if you were out of work with no income, how did it just not occur to you to apply for assistance like unemployment?
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/IF10347.pdf
It has only gotten bigger and more intensive every year.
https://www.armytap.army.mil/
If you completely missed it or failed to pay attention, you did so at your own peril.
Out of curiosity, SFL-TAP aside, if you were out of work with no income, how did it just not occur to you to apply for assistance like unemployment?
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