Transition Assistance Program (TAP). What are your opinions? Both positive and negative feedback is appreciated.

I did not like it. At all. It did not help me in any aspect. Practically, at the time when I got out. No one understood any of the aspects of the TAP Program in October 1993. I am still very disappointed in the program.
It was a lot of promise made, but not real policies backing the early out TAP program except unemployment insurance.

Everything that has been said and good and accurate. I also think that members that have transitioned should be invited to speak to give some reality to a lot of what's being said. Everything that is taught is good, but is not always realistic. I believe you should leave and be ready to set some realistic goals.

I was located in Fort Polk, Louisiana. TAP was very informative, we were taught everything from VA Benefits to Unemployment Insurance. Transitioning from the military to civilian life was still difficult because of the lack of structure, and discipline in the civilian life. Most soldiers, and sailors require time to adjust to the change in the structure of civilian life even with TAP.

I attended TAP in Mar of 2013 and Retired in Sept of 2013...TAP provided me a basic foundation to get started and was very helpful in allowing me to understand my benefits. I attended 2-3 Job fairs and Networking events monthly and traveled to events as required. BUT the Resume they taught us was subpar and I attended a class outside of the military on Interviewing, Resume building and Career search techniques and found a job in less than three weeks after taking the courses.

Other than getting a few days away from the unit, it was a waste of time. I lost out on some benefits through the VA because deadlines weren't discussed. The majority of people separating aren't going to white collar jobs and talking about where you should buy dress shirts and ties isn't needed. Discussions about benefits through the VA (medical, education, insurance..) is what should be presented.
I am now a academic advisior at a college and education or training opportunities should be discussed more.

The class I went through, almost 8 years ago, in Key West. Helped with resume writing and finding contacts. But for a week long class, they ran a little long.

I believe this was one of the most important classes prior to retirement from the service. The Veterans Service Officers that were present were extremely helpful. I had a few problems converting military terminology to civilian terminology (I guess 22 yrs will do that to you). Joining a veterans organization helped as most there had already had to deal with those issues.
Now my wife who was a YN1 for 20 years already had a handle on most of it. (as she had to conduct interviews for GS positions).

The TAP program is one of the worst programs available to the US Soldier. I had the obligatory check the block course while departing the US Army @ Ft. Bragg and once again at Fort Jackson. I had the opportunity to be involved with the civilian sector prior to enlisting and I had already acquired the skills they were attempting to teach soldiers. But I went with an open mind. The tap program is highly antiquated. The instructor had obviously not been "out there" in a while. They did help with how to build a resume. That is about the extent of the help the soldiers received. The job fairs consisted of "invited" businesses that were friendly with the US military. There were only salaried 9 to 5 jobs there that were some how tied to the government. Selling benefits not pay. No sales or private sector type jobs. If you had a clearance you were good, if not you were out of luck. The job fairs seemed very contrived. Lastly, the 2 times that I have been apart of TAP like programs, once in the Marines and once in the Army, it seemed the instructor had a vested interest in where the Soldiers and Marines worked. In one case, at Fort Jackson the instructor was a professional recruiter and would not allow outside private sector recruiters in to hire. That seemed odd and a conflict of interest. I honestly believe that one must have the soldiers best interests at heart and not be an administrator just waiting for their time to end to receive their second retirement.

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) I went through in 2011 was outstanding! I do believe the program has standard/mandatory parts and parts that can change depending where or who conducts the course. I recommend going through the course at least 12-18 months before you separate or retire.

I can personally say that TAP helped me a great deal. The most important piece of information I got was how to write a federal resume, and also, all the VA information that was passed along. Retirement/seperation is a HUGE change, and the longer you've been in, the harder it is. I would take any help offered!