The Transition Assistance Program's mission is to provide pre-separation counseling, transition and employment assistance services to Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve Soldiers and Airmen, Department of Defense civilians who are considering or preparing to depart the military and all work age family members of each of the above groups.

The Transition Assistance Program is part of the Army’s Transition Soldier Life Cycle (SLC), which incorporates sections of transition assistance throughout a Soldier’s career. The Army’s Transition SLC consists of three phases: Initial Phase (0-1 year), Service Phase (1 year+) and the Transition Phase (as early as 24 month retirees, 18 months others, but no later than 12-24 months prior to transition).

Through SLC, Soldiers will develop key career skills through education, technical training and financial management that will prepare them for a successful Army career and productive civilian life. During the transition phase, the TAP delivers a world-class transition program that ensures all eligible transitioning Soldiers have the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to be competitive and successful in the global workforce.  Soldiers are encouraged to assess their skills and objectives, then set goals and develop a plan to achieve them. TAP helps transitioning Soldiers to make informed career decisions through counseling and employment assistance, and builds upon lessons learned in the initial and service phases of the SLC.

TAP ELIGIBILITY: Basic eligibility for TAP services begins when transitioners are within 18 months of separation or two years of retirement. Transition leave and/or permissive TDY may be added to the basic eligibility period. Service members pending "involuntary separation actions" for any reason, including potential medical separation, are eligible and encouraged to begin using TAP and transition services as soon as separation is anticipated. Alumni, their family members, and other service veterans may use TAP services for 180 days after separation. Retirees may use TAP services for life, on a space available basis.

ORIENTATION AND GETTING STARTED: The pre-separation brief is the first step for transitioning service members. This is a Congressional mandated requirement that gives an overview of entitlements, benefits and available services. Service members must complete the DD Form 2648 as soon as possible within their eligibility window which is now 24 months for retirees and 12 months for personnel separating. This document is required for out-processing and a copy will be included in the service members' personnel file upon separation.

You may call or come in to the TAP Center to register and schedule the pre-separation brief. The preferred method is to register and complete your pre-separation brief online, please see below for additional information.

  1. Log onto the Transition Assistance Program Website - You must use your AKO user name and password to register and complete your pre-separation briefing online. Alternatively you may schedule a time to complete this training on a computer at our facility by calling 06111-43-587-1841/1842
  2. Elect to complete your pre-separation briefing online (for a class schedule, please select the Workshops link on the left side of this page)
  3. Call to schedule your initial counseling 06111-43-587-1841/1842 or DSN 314-587-1841/1842.

 

MANDATORY WORKSHOPS FOR TRANSITIONING SOLDIERS  - The following workshops and briefings are MANDATORY for transitioning service members. Contact your transition center for further details.

  • Pre-Separation Brief: Must attend 15 to 18 months prior to separation (retirees may attend 24 months before retirement)
  • Initial Counseling: Must attend 12 to 15 months prior to separation or retirement
  • MOC Crosswalk: Must attend 12 to 15 months prior to separation or retirement
  • Transition Overview: Must attend 12 to 15 months prior to separation or retirement
  • Financial Planning: Must attend 12 to 15 months prior to separation or retirement
  • DOL Employment Workshop (three days): Introduces the transition and job search process, to include personal appraisal, career exploration, job search strategies, resume writing, networking, interviewing and job offer reviews. Must attend 10 to 12 months prior to separation or retirement
  • VA Benefits I: This briefing is designed to provide information of a general nature on VA Benefits available to transitioners and of a specific nature to those who served and anticipate receiving a Service Connected / VA Disability rating as a result of their active duty military service. Must attend seven to 10 months prior to separation or retirement
  • VA Benefits II: This briefing is designed to provide information about eBenefits, MyHealthVA and instructions on starting a claim with the VA. Must attend seven to 10 months prior to separation or retirement
  • Capstone: Must attend three to six months prior to separation or retirement                                                                          

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          OPTIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR TRANSITIONING SOLDIERS - Contact your transition center for further details.

  • Entrepreneur Track - Boots to Business for those planning to start a small business.
  • Career Technical Track (Apprenticeship and Trades) - Opportunity to speak with a representative about trades and apprenticeships programs. Many training programs available.
  • Employment Track - Advanced resume writing, federal resume writing, advanced interviewing skills, andsocial media workshops. 
  • Higher Education Track - Focusing on identifying personal education goals, researching schools, financial assistance, and applying for admission to colleges.
  • Military to Manufacturing - Accelerated training program for veterans to qualify for immediate hire with manufacturing companies.