If you were the Executive Director of the Transition Assistance Program, what would be one change that you would want to implement?

LTC Andrew Loeb — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 09:47:20 -0500

Response by LTC Andrew Loeb made Mar 3 at 2015 9:51 AM

LTC Andrew Loeb — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 09:51:35 -0500

As a current transitioning service member, I sat through the 5 day TAP program back in January with the normal sustains and improves. What I'd like to do is draft a policy paper that addresses improving the overall program on some minor points. Whether it is the format, office alignment, services provided or not provided. This is really my attempt to do some good olf fashion Course of Action Development for a simple question?

Response by SGT Sara Hendrix made Jun 3 at 2016 12:57 PM

SGT Sara Hendrix — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 12:57:06 -0400

My response is much more from observation not as a transitioning soldier so please take that into consideration . However from what I have seen, many soldiers are pushed through to "check the block" and I believe that is doing a great disservice to our service men and women. I see soldiers that have little to no real world experience being given a 5 day block of time with an overload of information that takes time to develop. I believe ensuring a connection to a mentor is essential for many of these soldiers, especially the younger, less than 20 year service members. When I was working at a Tricare Service Center, many would come in and not know the benefits they had or how to access them. Even Retirees were unaware at times of several of the benefits and how they worked. It is a challenging and emotional time for the family and the Soldier so it is essential, in my opinion that a greater emphasis be placed on assisting the soldier in transition vs. a cursory "mandatory" class, which is not always the best learning environment for everyone.