New Transition Assistance Program Published Oct. 30, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Joshua Edwards 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - -- The Airman Family and Readiness Center here started the re-designed version of the Transition Assistance Program Oct. 15. The old TAP was only three days; the new, redesigned one is five days. During the course, service members receive counseling in budget planning, veteran's benefits and military skills translation. All of these help ensure service members can find a job once they leave the service. "Service members are trained very extensively in their jobs to go overseas and to defend our constitution, freedoms and rights, but when they get ready to leave the service they have been lacking in the tools that they need to transition into a civilian life," said Jerry Marlett, 17th Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant. "This program is supposed to give service members the highest quality skills they need to transition." The new TAP also comes with an option of an additional two days. The extra two days is used to help service members pursue their goals of attending a college, earn a professional degree or start a small business. "This is so important because over the next few years, over a million service members will be released from active duty," said Marlett. Once the service member's training and counseling are complete, they will attend an event that verifies their completion of a civilian resume, a family budget and a school application. Then they will be transferred to local, state and federal agencies that can help them achieve career goals once they become civilians. "I think it's an outstanding program, especially for the younger service members to help to prepare them for civilian jobs," added Marlett.
