DoD’s Transition Assistance Program: Share Your Experience!

Capt Craig Gilman — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 13:59:30 -0400

The Department of Defense provides the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for personnel about to separate from active-duty service. TAP contains information, tools, and training to ensure that service members and their spouses are prepared for the transition to civilian life. That transition can involve pursuing additional education, finding a job in the public or private sector, or starting a business.

I have questions for readers who have gone through TAP:

- What aspects of TAP did you find useful?
- If you could make one recommendation to DoD for improving TAP, what would it be?
- Ultimately, did TAP help you successfully reintegrate into your civilian self?

TAP Name Varies by Military Service Branch

While DoD mandates a core curriculum known as GPS (Goals, Plans and Success), each military branch adapted this program to the unique needs of its members. Veterans might know TAP by a different name depending on the branch in which they served. For example, Army veterans know the program as SLF-TAP, or the Soldier for Life – Transition Assistance Program.

Government TAP Site Also Available

Even if you have left your military service and installation far behind, DoD’s TAP website offers helpful resources, plus links to individual branch portals. The site provides comprehensive information and forms, and a robust Resources/FAQs section that could still benefit you as a veteran.

One particularly important resource is the Veterans Employment Center (VEC), the federal government’s single online tool for connecting transitioning service members, veterans, and their families to meaningful career opportunities in the public and private sectors. Veterans are encouraged to take advantage of this service. For a tutorial about VEC, watch the VEC YouTube video.

If you’re a job seeker, VEC provides access to the following resources:

- Skills Translator: Translate your military occupational codes into civilian skill equivalents for a powerful public profile and resume, and learn about related civilian career paths.
- Profile and Resume Builder: Seamlessly import results from the Skills Translator into an online profile that you can save for future use. Publish for employers to view or download, which can help you develop a resume in any format.
- Veterans Job Bank (VJB): VJB allows you to search over 1.5 million jobs, including federal, state, local government, and private sector jobs. In fact, some employers are specifically recruiting transitioning service members, Reserve Component service members, and veterans.
- Employer commitments: View a list of hundreds of employers and organizations that have made a commitment to hire or train individuals like you. You can go directly to their sites to get more information, start a conversation with HR, and apply for jobs.
- Other resources: The VEC has links to a broad set of other informational resources. These resources are designed to help you find meaningful career opportunities and take advantage of special government and partner programs.

I was lucky. I left the military nearly 30 years ago. However, all I received prior to my separation was an administrative checklist, which told me where to turn in my gear and to provide my home address. I also received a cursory departure physical that never mentioned VA benefits.

At the time of my separation, I was single, so I enrolled at a state university. Armed with little savings and some educational benefits through the VEAP program (today’s Post-9/11 GI Bill is far better), I knew I could wait tables to make ends meet. I persevered and eventually became a teacher. Later, I went on to higher education at American Military University (http://rly.pt/2nkn9Bq).

I believe today’s service members receive better guidance and benefits. Because I’ve never experienced TAP personally; however, I would love to hear your opinions. Sound off in the comments area below!

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Response by SN Keagan Miller made Mar 14 at 2017 2:21 PM

SN Keagan Miller — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 14:21:47 -0400

Having been through TAP back in 2013, I can say that it was a mixed bag. There were some great resources for people who were going to stay locally, not sure how many in the class were going to do that but it makes sense. However, spending the majority of the week on resume building alone is too much. A resume is a living document, changing to fit the needs and requirements of the job you are applying for, that could easily be accomplished in 1 -2 days. I wish I could have found out more about Vet Services nationally, or about different VA programs other than GI Bill and SC Disability claims. Bringing someone from a local non-profit that helps the Veteran population, an American Legion or VFW, or any of the established and notable Vet organizations and Vet run businesses would have been very helpful.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 2:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 14:27:19 -0400

Hahahaha....

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Mar 14 at 2017 3:52 PM

SSgt Ryan Sylvester — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 15:52:43 -0400

I never got to attend TAP. I was handed my outprocessing packet 3 weeks before my separation date while waiting on a Med Board that was supposed to convene for me, but never did. So many things missed while I was rushing around trying to get the mandatory stuff completed.

Response by SPC John Lebiecki made Mar 14 at 2017 4:57 PM

SPC John Lebiecki — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 16:57:40 -0400

I used TAP when I was transitioning out. To be honest, this program just simply does not do enough to support the individual transitioning out. For starters, this process needs to start at the year rather than the 6 month mark. ETS physicals need to be mandatory and sit downs with the VA should also be mandatory. There isnt enough focus on military to civilian skills translations for resumes. These are items that I believe that commanders at the company level need to start becoming involved in.

Response by SFC George Smith made Mar 14 at 2017 10:52 PM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 22:52:04 -0400

little to None in 1999

Response by MGySgt Rick Tyrrell made Mar 25 at 2017 9:10 PM

MGySgt Rick Tyrrell — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 21:10:11 -0400

I feel this is super program. To be effective the service members should attend twice. About three yrs out then one yr out. They had recruiters from jobs, talked about your benefits available to the service members, looked over medical packages and provided a rough estimate to what your disability rating would be. Great progra.

Response by CPT Earl George made Mar 25 at 2017 11:25 PM

CPT Earl George — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 23:25:42 -0400

I don't believe this program existed when I got out of the Army in 1977.

Response by Capt Craig Gilman made Mar 27 at 2017 9:11 AM

Capt Craig Gilman — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 09:11:21 -0400

So here is a sensitive question for those of you who think it could be better, do you think some of the blame belongs on the individual servicemember? In other words, do they take it seriously at the time or do they view it as an administrative wicket they have to jump through, only to later realize they should have put more into it?

Response by MAJ David Brand made Sep 19 at 2017 8:41 PM

MAJ David Brand — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 20:41:28 -0400

Transition Tech is a training program for transitioning military service members that provides industry-focused certificates and credentials, resume assistance, and mock interview opportunities designed to prepare you to enter the civilian workforce. Contact us for more information!

Pendy Evans

General Classroom Building, Veterans Center, Room 202-P
[login to see]

[login to see]

https://youtu.be/OYBtUeF70xo

FTCC's Transition Tech Program

Transition Tech is a training program for transitioning military service members that works with industry partners and provides focused certificates and cred...

Response by MAJ David Brand made Sep 19 at 2017 8:43 PM

MAJ David Brand — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 20:43:46 -0400

Transition Tech is a training program for transitioning military service members that provides industry-focused certificates and credentials, resume assistance, and mock interview opportunities designed to prepare you to enter the civilian workforce. Contact us for more information!

Pendy Evans

General Classroom Building, Veterans Center, Room 202-P

[login to see]

[login to see]

https://youtu.be/OYBtUeF70xo

FTCC's Transition Tech Program

Transition Tech is a training program for transitioning military service members that works with industry partners and provides focused certificates and cred...