A look at Air Force FY14 Force Management: Transition Assistance Program Published March 24, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Erica Rodriguez 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- This is part three of a three-part series on Fiscal Year 2014 Force Management programs. As Fiscal Year 2014 Force Management programs continue to reduce military strength numbers, an increasing amount of personnel are participating in the Transition Assistance Program, which is required by law. The Goodfellow Airman and Family Readiness Center, since December 2013, has provided 143 service members information through the TAP as they prepare to separate or retire. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, TAP was established to meet the needs of service members and their families transitioning out of the military and made mandatory in effort to combat veterans' unemployment. The Veterans' Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 made participation in the Transition Assistance Program mandatory by separating service members who received pre-separation counseling on or after Nov. 21, 2011. "In accordance with public law, TAP services shall be made available to all eligible service members and their spouses, commencing 12 months prior to anticipated separation or 24 months prior to anticipated retirement," said Brandon O'Neil, 17th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center work life consultant. "The VOW to Hire Hero's Act of 2011 aggressively attacks the unacceptably high rate of veterans' unemployment." The program consists of a pre-separation class introducing members to programs and services available to them during transition. From there, members can sign up for the five-day long Transition Goals, Plans and Success course. During Transition GPS, members are briefed by subject matter experts on topics such as financial planning, stress management, job search and interview skills and veterans' benefits. Attendees are also taught how to properly build resumes. The course is divided into modules containing required information for separating members. For those wishing to continue their military service in a reserve component, the Join Reserves track is offered to attendees. The Financial Planning track informs and provides members with tools and information to identify and meet financial responsibilities. Military training, skills and experience are translated into civilian terms and credentialing through the MOC Crosswalk. Through this track, members are able to take what they have learned and credits they have earned and apply them to a civilian job. Tools and resources directing veteran's to obtain their benefits are taught in the Veterans' Affairs Benefits I and II track. This track encourages members to become knowledgeable on how to apply for and receive all benefits available to them as a veteran. The Department of Labor's Employment Workshop gives attendees the tools to research their desired occupation to better understand the necessary skills and hiring requirements and if the occupation is trending positively or not. "I took a lot of knowledge of benefits from the course, as far as home loans and the educational benefits and what my entitlements would be as a veteran and how that would help me in the civilian work field," said Airman 1st Class Jasmine Reeves, 17th Force Support Squadron personnel. "I also wrote a great resume and created a budget. I learned about a lot of programs that I did not know exist for veterans. I think separating and retiring members should all go because you learn things that even I as personnel didn't know." After the Transition GPS course, members can opt to take additional learning tracks that aren't mandatory. · Career Technical Training track: service members pursuing further technical training will receive guidance and help in selecting schools and technical fields · Entrepreneurship track: service members pursuing self-employment in the private or non-profit sector will learn about the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, the benefits and realities of entrepreneurship, and the steps toward business ownership · Accessing Higher Education track: service members pursuing college education will receive guidance to prepare for the college application process The pre-separation class is held every Wednesday at 8 a.m. and takes approximately three hours to complete. Once a member attends the pre-separation class, they are scheduled for the five-day Transition GPS class. To sign up for the course or for more information, contact the AFRC at 325-654-3893. The course is open to all military members and their families.
