GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Service members transitioning out of the military this year could be much more prepared for civilian life than their predecessors, thanks to some major changes coming to the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program.
The program, known as TAP, will be more tailored to service members’ interests and goals through the use of individual assessments. Though the entire program will be shorter, troops will be required to start no later than one year before getting out.
The changes were included in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act and are scheduled to go into effect for all service branches on Oct. 1. The new law allows DoD to tailor the amount of assistance based on the need of the service member, the current process basically requires everybody to get the same amount of assistance.
Starting in October, every Airman, Soldier, Sailor or Marine preparing to leave the service will meet with a counselor, located within the Airman and Family Readiness Center, to discuss their plans after separation or retirement. Once the initial counseling is completed, each member is required to attend a pre-seperation counseling briefing. From there, they will be classified into one of three tiers, essentially really prepared, kind of prepared and not prepared at all.
Service members in tier one, don’t need as much as far as services. They’re pretty much engaged in their transition, many of them already have a job lined up or they plan to retire.
Service members in tier two are ready to transition, but not yet fully prepared. In other words, they may be saving their money and looking into careers, but may be on the fence about staying in the service.
Tier three service members don’t have any plans. This could include service members who are being discharged under other-than-honorable circumstances or are leaving the service on short notice because of an injury or disability.
Once service members are funneled into one of the three tiers, the counselor along with the service member, if required, choose a specific track.
They may choose to pursue higher education, employment, entrepreneurship or vocational skills training, based on the person’s goals for life after the military.
Currently, these tracks are all optional however, only 15 percent of service members participate in these additional, two-day workshops that are now included in the main curriculum.
The Air Force has instructed any Airman that falls into Tier three, those who are the least prepared, to attend at least one of the aforementioned two-day tracks.
Day one of the new program is described as “more holistic and comprehensive” and is a general overview of how to plan for your transition. The second day will provide information about veterans benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs and day three is a workshop run by the Department of Labor.
However, service members, if required, will enter into one of the four two-day tracks of their choice, as determined by their personal assessment and meeting with a counselor. They also have the option to attend more if desired.
The benefits of the revised TAP program are that it’s no longer a one-size-fits-all approach, all service members are required to complete a specific track during the transition workshop if it’s not tied to their goals.
Current DoD policy allows retiring service members to start TAP two years before they retire and separating service members to start the program one year, but no later than 90 days, before getting out of the military. Required starts dates vary by service.
Under the new law, everybody will be required to complete initial counseling and pre-separation counseling no later than 365 days before getting out of the military.
Each service has to implement the new requirements starting on Oct. 1. If you are within 18-24 months of separation, be on the lookout for a notice from your Airman and Family Readiness Center Transition Assistance Program advisor.