Fort Belvoir TAP
Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is a Commander’s Program and a Soldier’s responsibility. The program provides transition assistance services to eligible Soldiers with at least 180 or more continuous days of Title 10 active duty service, except for those in a training status.
TAP helps all eligible transitioning Soldiers discover knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to be competitive and successful in the global workforce.
Soldiers begin the transition process 18 months prior to transition or 24 months prior retirement, spreading requirements out over the course of several months using a distributive model (short-notice separations only are authorized a five-day consecutive class).
Along with Soldiers, retired Soldiers, Army Family members and Department of the Army civilians (experiencing a BRAC or RIF) are eligible for transition assistance services as well. Going early and often to TAP is statistically proven to increase the chance of post-transition success for Soldiers.
The Army transformed the way Soldiers transition in order to give them the greatest opportunity for a successful and productive post-service career. Congress mandated three requirements prior to a Soldier’s transition and the Department of Defense mandated additional Career Readiness Standards (CRS). All requirements must be completed and noted on a Soldier’s DD Form 2648.
Soldiers also have the option to attend one of three additional optional career tracks with Commander approval and on a space available basis, which are tailored to their individual transition goals, including Accessing Higher Education, the Career Exploration and Planning Track, and the Entrepreneurial Workshop Training Track.
TAP PROCESS
Step 1: Register and complete self-assessment. Visit https://portal.armytap.army.mil to begin the process. Once complete, contact the Fort Belvoir TAP center (703) 805-9247 or usarmy.belvoir.usag.mbx.tap@army.mil. This step should be completed ideally NLT 385 days prior to separation or retirement date.
Step 2: Individualized Initial Counseling (IIC). During the IIC session, Service members begin the development of their Individual Transition Plan (ITP) to identify their unique transition needs and post-transition goals.
Step 3: Pre-Separation Briefing/Counseling is scheduled during IIC. Pre-separation counseling, just like IIC, must start no later than 365 days prior to transition.
Step 4: Attend TAP classes or workshops via teleconference/webinar, TAPEVENTS.MIL, or Virtual Center. Counselor will provide details.
Step 5: Budget Approval (if needed)
Step 6: Capstone - finalize your DD Form 2648. The Capstone event, which is the culminating event where commanders verify achievement of career readiness standards and a viable ITP, must happen no later than 90 days before separation or discharge from active duty.
For transitioning Soldiers located remotely, more than 50 miles from a center, or deployed overseas, the TAP Virtual Center is available online 24/7.
The Virtual Center also has a phone line component, also available 24/7. Transitioning Soldiers can call the Virtual Center at 800.325.4715. Visit TAP at https://www.armytap.army.mil