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TAP prepares transitioning service members for civilian life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Jeffers
  • 20th Fighter Wing
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The Airman and Family Readiness Center is scheduled to hold the last three-day Transition Assistant Program seminar here, Oct. 16, 2012.

Future TAP seminars will be five days long and will begin Nov. 12, 2012.

"TAP is for veterans separating, transitioning or retiring from the military," said Rogers Gardner II, 20th Force Support Squadron A&FRC director.

The Department of Defense recommends that those separating take TAP 12 months before their separation date and those retiring take it two years before their separation date, said Dorcus Haney, 20th FSS community readiness consultant.

TAP is a seminar, which military spouses may also participate in, that helps develop useful skills for transitioning out of the military, like how to write an effective resume, search for a job, manage change, enroll in college and get Veteran Affairs benefits.

"(The classes included) resume writing, how to properly do interviews, how to sell myself to a potential employer, how to get my name and resume out there, and how to set myself up to get the best job that I can," said Staff Sgt. Alisha Martell, U.S. Air Forces Central NCO in charge of air threats. "It was a big help."

The seminar is changing to cover more information and teach more skills to assist in the transition to civilian life.

"At one time TAP used to be job searching from A to Z. Now it has broadened out to include a pre-separation counseling, the military occupational code crosswalk (which is a counseling that compares the individual's military skills to civilian jobs) and a briefing about VA (benefits)," said Gardner.

TAP is using that new content to offer different 'paths' that individuals can follow to receive information more focused towards their goals and plans upon leaving the military.

"There are four paths which education for people going to college, employment for those who are going to look for a new job, Veteran Affairs technical training for those with disabilities, and small business for entrepreneurs," said Gardner. "All the paths teach basic job searching skills, finance management and how to be successful on their chosen path."

Before individuals are able to go through the seminar they must participate in a pre-separation counseling.

"Pre-separation counseling is to assist them in developing transition goals and prepare them for what they want to do once they leave the service," said Haney.

"In essence, the pre-separation counseling is going to prepare individuals for the actual TAP seminar and it includes signing them up for e-benefits," said Gardner.

"E-benefits is a website that service members go to to register for VA benefits," said Haney. "There are about eight or nine benefits that service members get when they separate or retire which includes home loan benefits, compensation for disabilities, education benefits, life and health insurance, and burial benefits."

On the first day of the TAP seminar, the participants sit down with their advisors to develop their transition plan and receive information and paperwork to pursue the path they have chosen.

Over the next three days, the participants take classes focused on their chosen path.

"If they are on the employment path, then everything will be geared towards their job search: searching for employers, assessing their skills, writing a resume, and interviewing techniques," said Haney. "If they choose to be an entrepreneur then their path courses will be about how to be a business owner: building a business plan, financing their business, and things they should and should not do."

On the last day, VA briefs the participants about all their benefits and entitlements. If they have not yet signed up for benefits, they will have the opportunity to do so.

"I think it is important whether you served for four years or 34 years," said Martell. "The military is so structured and the comfort people get from being in a secure job like this may give them misconceived notions about getting out and what to expect. TAP tries to set you up. Jobs aren't just going to come to you; you have to go out there and TAP helps get you on the right track."

"I think TAP is very beneficial," said Gardner. "I can tell you from personal experience that the things you learn in TAP you will apply in your civilian life. It helps people to be able to assimilate into civilian life and it gives them a foundation to use."