Posted on Aug 21, 2015
What is your opinion of the Soldier For Life Program (formally known as ACAP)? What changes would you make?
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Some have complained that ACAP is geared more towards those getting out after their first term. Others have said that it is a waste of time. What do you think?
Posted in these groups: 
Transition
ETS/EAS
Transition ETS/EAS
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
When I did ACAP in 2003, it kind of sort of but not really helped me. The resume writing portion was alright, even though the instructors really didnt know how to help figure my medic and engineer skills into something civilian related. But, on the plus side, I got out of work for a few hours every day.
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That is a great question. The name Soldier for Life sounds like a great idea. Personally I have considered myself a soldier for life. The Army does not necessarily consistently treat veterans or even retired personnel that way yet.
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SFC (Join to see)
I agree sir. To me it seems they check the block, then throwing them to the VA. To be honest I don't have the answer. Maybe a support system at the division or regiment level to take care of the vets. It seems to work for the Brits. After all, we all seem to identify with one particular organization at the end.
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just finished it, I sat in a finance class that was supposed to be business casual. I showed up with slacks and a nice shirt, and saw soldiers in sweats like they just got off the couch. They talked about mainly not having debt to include STAR cards which apparently is managed by a two star in the Army, and focused more on first termers.
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SFC (Join to see)
MAJ (Join to see) every time an AAFES employee asks me if I want to use my Star Card I respond with "I would rather be poked in the eye"
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Since I was medically retired, The ONLY thing ACAP did for me was raise my blood pressure! I was not going to work, so why did I need to learn writing a resume? I have been financially sound since I graduated high school 36 years ago, so why a class on budgeting? Further, did they really think I was going to disclose my personal finances to a stranger? Then I was told I would not be able to out process without completing the stupid classes. Someone lied because I did not complete the program, and no one seemed to care!
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I think they are moving in the right direction. In addition to a one-site access to benefits, it promotes the concept that we are still soldiers; and encourages us to go out into the community and promote the Army. Its the truth. We are still soldiers, we are subject to mobilization, are authorized to wear the uniform at patriotic event. However, I do think that retired soldiers should still be authorized a CAC card to make it easier to log onto site; they should still have access to AKO (or what its morphing into) because they are mobilization assets and are normally officers or senior NCOs.
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After just finishing the ACAP process after a solid 8 years in the Army I've gotta say it's SUPER redundant. If I hear one more thing about the GI Bill or something to do with writing a solid resume I'm going to scream. I get that the army is based on repitition but this is utterly useless. In the 2/3 weeks of solid ACAPing I've done a half dozen classes on education when you get out as well as finding a job. Thinking that the more information I could get the better! What I found out is that it is the same information just rehashed by various people under different (yet vaguely similar) class names.
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A lot of soldiers go into ACAP with unrealistic expectations. They thing that by going to these classes they will be guaranteed a job once they are out and it does not work that way. Post military preparation should be a staple of military life, not just a crash course in the last 2 weeks of someone's military career. ACAP could better serve transitioning service members better if it was an external organization, and was an actual headhunting organization. They would have more motivation to prepare and place soldiers into careers.
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I am dreading going there next year when I end my career in the Army. I know how to write my resume and if I need help, I can pay to have it professionally done. The resume writing is not really important to me than linking me to viable employers that would offer me a job. Getting a job is the most important thing on the minds of soldiers leaving the Army or the Military.
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Some of the services and classes offered by Soldier For Life was beneficial to me when I ETSED from South Korea. I missed the term ACAP.
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SFC (Join to see)
Just been used to the term ACAP (Army Career and Alumni Program) throughout my career.
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For E1-E5, I know the program is a failure, for others I can't say. We put these soldiers in the barracks, so they don't learn how to rent their own place, take care of utilities or how to manage any issues that normally arise. Then we expect them to successfully do this on their own with zero experience or military support. The military makes us extremely independent, yet it seems that they expect us to go back home and live with family. This is an unrealistic expectation, and for those who plan on using their GI Bill they have no 'valid' source of income to rent on their own. The housing allowance for the GI Bill is not considered income in numerous states, so it's very difficult for these soldiers to transition and obtain suitable lodging. Most of the soldiers I know who have found success in obtaining lodging have done so through the generosity of a landlord. Also, since the GI Bill isn't considered income, they cannot obtain VA loans once they transition until they have a decent paying job. We have programs in place to help service members transition, but these programs only work in a specific set of situations.
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SFC (Join to see)
Let me play devils advocate here... at what point is a former servicemember responsible for themselves? Do you suggest that the government pay for their housing after they leave military affiliation?
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SGT Kristin Wiley
SFC (Join to see) Not at all. I expect the military to ensure that soldiers have the skills and experience to find suitable housing after they transition. From what I understand some states have laws in place to allow service members who are relying on their GI Bill BAH stipend for lodging to do so, other states (ex: New York, Hawaii), do not. If we want them to use their GI Bill and go to school, we need to a) educate them on what states allow the GI Bill BAH stipend as a suitable means of 'income' for lodging purposes since it's not considered official income for tax purposes and b) ensure that we are advocating for states to support these types of laws so soldiers don't end up on the streets. It also wouldn't hurt for soldiers who have lived on base their whole careers to get a basic understanding of the rental process. As far as I'm aware none of this is covered in the Soldier for Life program, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's attributing to homelessness and mental health issues in Veterans. Every soldier I know that has gotten out after numerous years of living in the barracks has struggled with all of the points I've mentioned.
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