Transition Resources and Programs

The Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs offer an extensive array of services to help make your separation a success. If you’re an active-duty service member, National Guard and reserve component service member or service member’s spouse, you can take advantage of these transition assistance resources and more.

The DOD Transition Assistance Program is mandatory for separating service members who have served 180 continuous days or more on active duty. TAP offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip service members with the tools and resources to succeed in their civilian lives. It includes:

• Individualized initial counseling during which service members will complete a self-assessment and begin developing a transition plan.
• Pre-separation counseling to learn about benefits, entitlements and resources.
• A series of briefings focusing on managing the transition, translating military skills to the civilian world, financial planning, benefits and services from the VA, and finding a career.
• Instruction on finding employment, vocational training, higher education or entrepreneurship.

Service members must complete TAP no later than a year before leaving the military. Retiring service members should begin the process at least two years before retirement. In the event of an unanticipated separation or retirement, or a member of the reserve component is demobilized within less than 365 days, TAP must begin as soon as possible within the remaining period of service.

The VA version of TAP is a one-day, in-person course called “VA Benefits and Services,” which helps veterans understand the benefits and services they earned during their military career. The Veterans Benefits Administration website lists VA benefits available to veterans.

Tap into information, tools and training to help you and your family prepare for your military-to-civilian transition — including service-specific support.

You’ve made the decision to separate from the military. Now it’s time to make the most of it. Here’s a list of tasks to accomplish, and most of them come with a due date:

• DO get your plans in place. Think about your post-military goals and the income you’ll need. Start researching how your military experience could translate to a civilian career. Attend TAP to learn the benefits and resources available to help you and your family prepare for a successful transition.
• DO start TAP early. You must complete a mandatory initial counseling session with a transition counselor and complete pre-separation counseling no less than 365 days prior to your separation or retirement date. During TAP, you’ll also receive briefings and resources from the DOD, VA and the Department of Labor. And remember, you can attend TAP more than once!
• DO schedule a final separation health assessment and dental exams. You’ll need a mandatory, final medical and dental exam with your installation’s medical clinic no later than 90 days before you separate. The SHA may be used to file a VA disability compensation claim.
• DO schedule the move of your household goods. The earlier, the better. You’ll have one year after leaving active duty to complete your final move. The sooner you can schedule, the better your chances of getting the dates you want.
• DO talk to your spouse about participating in the Military Spouse Transition Program and the self-directed MySteP: Stepping Beyond. This program is designed to guide military spouses through the military-to-civilian transition, including post-military benefits, health care, finances and transition training.

Finally:

• DON’T wait until the last minute. Give yourself plenty of time to complete all the tasks required. You must complete some tasks 365 days before you separate. Also, some benefits have a timeline in which to be used.

Individualized Initial Counseling – Individualized initial counseling between the service member and a TAP counselor is now the official start of the transition process. During the IC session, service members complete their personal self-assessment and begin the development of their Individual Transition Plan to identify their unique needs for the transition process and post-transition goals.

Pre-Separation Counseling – Once the individualized counseling is complete, pre-separation counseling commences. Pre-separation counseling, just like IC, must start no later than 365 days prior to transition. Pre-separation counseling covers bylaw information including benefits, entitlements and resources for eligible transitioning service members, and includes an overview of the TAP process and curriculum. Caregivers and spouses are especially encouraged to attend pre-separation counseling with their service members.

The DOD Transition Day – The DOD Transition Day follows pre-separation counseling and is mandatory for TSMs. It covers these topics:

• Managing Your Transition gives service members an understanding of the importance of preparing for their transition from military service into the civilian sector and provides a review of the TAP process.

The “less obvious” topics of transition are introduced — including personal and family transition concerns, the differences in the culture of civilian and military workplaces, transition-related stressors and the importance of effective communication during the transition process.

The course concludes with both military and civilian resources that can provide support during and after transition for military personnel and their family members.

• Military Occupational Code Crosswalk demonstrates how to translate military skills, training and experience into civilian credentialing appropriate for civilian jobs. Service members will document their military career experience and skills, translate their military occupation experience to civilian occupations and skills, and identify any gaps in their training and/or experience that need to be filled to meet their career goals.
• Financial Planning for Transition builds on the financial training provided during the military life cycle and helps service members understand how transition will impact their financial situation.

Subjects include changes in income, taxes, health care costs, new expenses and other financial matters. Online tools are used to calculate the military-to-civilian income equivalent and to research the cost of living for at least two geographical locations. Throughout the course, service members have the opportunity to develop or update a spending plan.

VA Benefits and Services – This one-day interactive briefing teaches service members about the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and programs based on their needs and where they are in their transition journey. Each module highlights real stories and examples from service members who have already transitioned from military to civilian life.

Topics covered include disability benefits and compensation, memorial and burial benefits, education and economic support, housing benefits and health care options, including both physical and emotional health needs.

Department of Labor Employment Fundamentals of Career Transition – This course provides an introduction to the tools and resources service members can use to evaluate career options, gain information for civilian employment and understand the fundamentals of the employment process.

Tracks – TAP also includes a service member election of two days of instruction. These include the DOL Employment Track: Employment Workshop, DOL Vocational Track: Career Credential and Exploration, DOD Education Track: Managing Your Education and the Small Business Administration Entrepreneurship Track: Boots to Business. TSMs must elect at least one track but may attend more than one based on their ITP and post-transition goals.

Capstone – The Capstone is the culminating event where commanders verify achievement of Career Readiness Standards and a viable ITP. It must happen no later than 90 days before separation or release from active duty.

Your service branch is required to verify your military experience and training. Your VMET form DD 2586 assesses your knowledge, experience and skills as they relate to civilian jobs. The form provides:

• Primary occupation and dates
• Occupation descriptions
• Civilian-equivalent job titles
• Military training information including course names, length and description

Download your VMET from the Defense Manpower Data Center »

As your service member’s military career comes to an end, the transition to civilian life may bring mixed emotions, including excitement, uncertainty and a sense of loss. Planning for this change can reduce anxiety and set them up for success.

Emotional Challenges
Leaving the military affects many aspects of life, and your service member may experience a range of emotions, such as:

• Excitement for new opportunities.
• Feeling overwhelmed by choices regarding location and career.
• Mourning the loss of military camaraderie and structure.

Simply being available to listen and support them through this transition can make a big difference.

Supporting the Transition
Some service members have clear plans, while others may be unsure of their next steps. Early planning can ease the process. Key considerations include:

• Where to live: Deciding whether to return home, move elsewhere or buy/rent a home. Factors like job opportunities and housing costs should be considered, and VA home loan benefits may be helpful.
• Education vs. workforce: Some choose to pursue further education, while others start working or begin new career paths. Available benefits can help cover education costs and career services.
• Career choices: Discuss how military skills translate to civilian jobs, set long-term goals and explore training options, networking and job application strategies.

The military equips service members with skills, abilities and experiences that serve them well in the civilian world. These inner resources, along with the support of loved ones like you and the benefits and services available, will help your service member transition smoothly into this exciting next phase of life.

Find your nearest Transition Assistance Program office. Transition Assistance offices are on most military installations in the United States and overseas.

• Installations offer a variety of classes and seminars on topics related to transition, such as dressing for success, goal setting, change management and evaluating and negotiating job offers.
• Installation TAP offices provide personal help for transitioning service members and their spouses for up to 180 days after separation or retirement, including one-on-one support, resources, needs assessments and referrals.

Each service branch has its own program:

• Army: Transition Assistance Program
• Marine Corps: Transition Readiness Program
• Navy: Transition Assistance Program
• Air Force: Transition Assistance Program
• Coast Guard: Office of Work-Life Transition Assistance Program

Military OneSource is available to veterans and their families for 365 days post separation from the military. Military OneSource offers confidential counseling, as well as help with career planning, relocation and housing, personal finances, tax filing and accessing benefits for veterans.

The Defense Department Transition Assistance Program is available online and through your installation Transition Assistance Program office.

• Find the DOD Transition Assistance Program online
• Contact your installation Transition Assistance Program office

Your transition to civilian life is a significant event. Start planning as soon as you know you’ll be leaving the military. Military OneSource offers the Transitioning Veterans specialty consultation to help you answer your specific questions about transitioning to civilian life. Call 800-342-9647, view international calling options or schedule a live chat today.