If a Soldier wishes to schedule an appointment, they may contact our local TAP counselors at DSN 315-763-4927/4926 (COMM 0503-363-4927/4926). Contact information for all TAP centers, can be found on www.armytap.army.mil/locations or by going to their local installation webpage or Facebook page. If a Soldier resides >50 miles from Camp Walker or is otherwise unable to contact someone at the local TAP Center, the Virtual Center is available 24/7 at 1-800-325-4715, or online HERE.
HOW DOES TAP WORK?
Effective, August 29, 2022, all Service members planning to transition within 12 - 24 months of their separation date are now required to complete their registration and self-assessment online at https://portal.armytap.army.mil.
Once you have completed this process, contact your local TAP center to schedule your Individualized Initial Counseling.
All Soldiers who are separating, retiring, or being released from a period of at least 180 days of active duty must complete TAP.
1. Attend Individualize Initial Counseling (IIC).
For appointments or inquiries, please call our TAP counselors at:
(DSN) 315-763-4927
(COMM) 0503-363-4927
(DSN) 315-763-4926
(COMM) 0503-363-4926
Please click here for our class schedule.
Rapid separation track is available for Soldiers separating with >90 days remaining of service. Please contact us for more details.
3. Attend the Capstone event, at least 90 days from transition date, where the transition counselor ensures that Career Readiness Standards (CRS) are met, and will generate an electronic DD 2648 (eForm) for Commander signature.
Once completed, the Soldiers will turn in the eForm to Military Personnel Division (MPD) at outprocessing to get a DD 214.
Career Skills Program
The Army Career Skills program (CSP) provides Soldiers with the opportunity to participate in a civilian career and employment skills training (internship) to improve post-military employment opportunities. The internship allows Soldiers to take administrative or unchargeable leave to gain on-the-job training with a civilian employer. Please contact us for more information.
Eligibility:
- Internship may start 180 days prior to ETS/retirement
- Special priority to those who are 18-24 years old, first term enlistments, involuntarily separating due to force shaping, rapid separation from active duty, or separating due to medical disabilities
- Soldier must complete all TAP Career Readiness Standards (CRS) prior to internship
- CSP training provider may provide additional selection criteria for specific programs
Useful Links for CSP Opportunities:
Transition Services Specialist:
Hye Jin Kim at (DSN) 315-763-4925 (COMM) 0503-363-4925 or email hyejin.kim23.civ@army.mil
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Army's TAP goals also include support to the manning of the total Army. TAP supports the Army's Active Component recruiting effort by producing successful alumni. The decision to enlist in the military and, more specifically, the Army is often influenced by friends and relatives. When alumni are successful they serve as powerful examples of what Army service can do for a young man or woman's future. Those who are capable of translating Army skills, training, and experience into rewarding careers are living billboards promoting the Army as a great place to start. TAP also supports Active Component retention by helping Soldiers to intelligently compare their Army earnings, benefits and potential for growth with what they can reasonably expect to achieve in the private sector. Many TAP clients realize that they need to stay on active duty in order to gain new skills, education, training and experience.
As recent wars have demonstrated, the Army is more than the Active Component. TAP supports the Reserve Component by helping transitioning soldiers to understand how service in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve can augment their starting civilian salaries and provide valuable training and benefits. Civilian employees are also a valuable part of the total Army. TAP promotes Army civilian employee retention by assisting dislocated Army civilian employees to find new jobs.jobs. TAP demonstrates to all civilian employees that the Army truly cares and will be there for them; even if their jobs are eliminated. Both military and civilian supervisors of Army civilian personnel are encouraged to refer their employees who have been adversely impacted by Reduction in Force (RIF) or Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions to the TAP Center for transition assistance.
The Army expects its leaders to support TAP because it helps the Army to conserve scarce budget dollars and man the force. Finally, but most importantly, the Army expects its leaders to support TAP because they owe it to their Soldiers. A Soldier's decision to leave active duty cannot erase his or her sacrifices and dedication. The TAP staff are available to present informational briefing sat installation/unit professional training and meetings.
Preseparation Briefing (DD Form 2648) – 24-12 months prior to transition for retirees or 18-12 months prior to transition for non-retirees.
90 minute briefing plus Initial Counseling session with a SFL-TAP counselor.
• Individual Transition Plan (ITP) – 24-12 months prior to transition for retirees or 18-12 months prior for non-retirees. Completed no later than 3 months prior to transition.
Outlines your career or education goals and milestones.
• Register for eBenefits – 24-12 months prior to transition for retirees or 18-12 months prior for non-retirees.
Register for benefits at www.eBenfits.va.gov.
• MOS Crosswalk – 15-12 months prior to transition.
Translates military skills and training. Identifies gaps with civilian employment (Gap Analysis). Eligibility for licensure,certification, and apprenticeship.
• Individual Self-Assessment – 15-12 months prior to transition.
Complete self-assessment through Kuder Journey, O*NET Interest Profiler, or other assessment tool.
• DOL Employment Workshop & Gold Card – 12-9months prior to transition.
Employment counseling and resume development. Post-9/11Veterans receive priority at DOL American Job Centers with the Gold Card.
• VA Benefits Briefing I & II – 9-6 months prior to transition.
VA benefits and eligibility.
• Financial Planning Seminar – 5-4 months prior to transition.
Financial planning and budget preparation. Complete12-month post-service budget.
• Job Application Package OR Job Offer Letter – Packet completed no later than 3 months prior to transition.
Complete private or federal resume (no later than 6 to5 months prior to transition), references, and two submitted job applications. A job offer letter can be used in place of the Job Application Package.
• Career Track Courses & CRS – No later than 3 months prior to transition.
Accessing Higher Education, Vocational/Technical, or Entrepreneurial. In accordance with Soldier’s ITP.
• Capstone (DD Form 2648) – No later than 3months prior to transition
Culminating activity verifying the Soldier has a viable ITP and meets CRS.
The TAP Virtual Center is an immersive, three-dimensional, online environment where Soldiers can receive all the transition and education services that they would normally receive at a bricks-and-mortar TAP Center.
Soldiers who are deploying, demobilizing/reintegrating, involuntarily separating, who have minimal time to complete regularly scheduled vow mandated session or whose duty locations are in remote or isolated geographic areas can contact their career counselor and verify if they can complete VOW requirements through the Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) courses online by utilizing the TAP Virtual Center. Therefore, please contact your career counselor to discuss that option if necessary and receive detailed instructions on the completion of the requirements.
Please access the TAP Virtual website HERE.
Involuntary Separation
Active component and Reserve component Soldiers leaving active duty, who have completed or will complete 180 days of continuous active service being involuntarily separated. Please ask for rapid track separation.
- When to Register- ASAP
Voluntary Separating Service Members (ETS/ESA)
AC and RC Soldiers leaving active duty, who have completed or will complete 180 days of continuous active Service with expiration of term of service (ETS) or expiration of service agreement (ESA)dates.
- When to register- 18 months prior to separation
Voluntarily Separating Service Members Retirement
AC and RC Soldiers leaving active duty being medically or non-medically retired.
- When to Register- 24 months prior to transition
Initial and Pre-Separation Counseling
Transitioning Service members must begin their transition process no later than 365 days prior to transition. Individualized Initial Counseling (IC) between the service member and a TAP counselor is now the official start to 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 of the transition process and post-transition goals.
Once the individualized IC 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 by-law information to include benefits, entitlements and resources for eligible transitioning service members. Caregivers and spouses are especially encouraged to attend pre-separation counseling with their service member.
Army Reserve Component
The Army Reserve offers an array of employment benefits, including bonuses, money for college, student loan repayment, and low-cost health and life insurance. The Army Reserve Soldiers can be a great way to develop career skills and serve our nation while maintaining a civilian career. These skills are valued in the civilian workplace. If you are interested in learning more, please contact our local Army Reserve representative, MSG Felix Maldonado Rodriguez by telephone at DSN (315)763-5033, COMM 0503-363-5033 or email felix.maldonadorodriguez2.mil@army.mil.
Managing Your (MY) Transition
The Transition Overview provides Service members with an understanding of the importance of preparing for their transition from military service into the civilian sector. It highlights some of the many challenges that are inherent with any life changing event and the opportunities to receive information and engage with professional and supportive transition staff throughout the Transition Assistance Program.
Military Occupational Code (MOC) Crosswalk
MOS 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 into civilian sector occupations and skills, and identify any gaps in their training and/or experience that need to be filled to meet their personal career goals.
Financial Planning for Transition
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 by discussing the change in income, taxes, healthcare costs, new expenses, and other financial changes related to transition. 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 will have the opportunity to develop or update a spending plan.
VA Benefits and Services
VA benefits and Services brief is designed to enable transitioning Service members to make informed decisions regarding the use of VA benefits. The program supports each transitioning Service member to better understand VA benefits and programs based on their needs and where they are in their transition journey. It is designed around the understanding that no two transitions are the same. Each module builds upon the prior modules and highlights real stories and examples from Service members who have already transitioned from military to civilian life. Critical areas covered include disability benefits and compensation; memorial and burial benefits; education and economic support; housing benefits; and healthcare options, including both physical and emotional health needs. If you are interested in learning more, please contact our local VA benefits advisor:
Mr. James Springstube, (DSN) 315-763-4742, (cell) 010-7364-6112, james.springstube.ctr@vatap.calibresysm.com
DOL Employment Fundamentals of Career Transition (DOLEFCT)
This one-day workshop lays the foundation of the transition from military to civilian life. This workshop provides an introduction to essential tools and resources needed to evaluate career options, gain information for civilian employment, and understand the fundamentals of the employment process.
2-Day TAP Workshops:
DOL Employment (DOLEW)
The Department of Labor Employment Workshop two-day workshop covers emerging best practices in career employment, including in-depth training to learn interview skills, build effective resumes, and use emerging technology to network and search for employment.
Managing Your (MY) Education
Assists Service Members in identifying the higher education requirements that support their personal career goals. The two-day workshop is divided into four topic areas: choosing a program of study, selecting an institution of higher education, gaining admission, and funding higher education. This workshop is beneficial for both Service Members attending college for the first time and those applying to graduate school programs. Throughout the workshop, participants conduct research as each topic is presented and complete a comparison of at least two institutions of higher education.
Education Office - Dustin Haan DSN (315) 755-3608, Dustin.m.hahn.ctr@army.mil
Career and Credential Exploration
This course offers a unique opportunity for participants to complete a personalized career development assessment of occupational interest and ability. This industry-standard assessment presents participants with a variety of tailored job recommendations (some of which are classified as high-demand or high-growth occupations) that align with their interests and aptitudes. Participants are also guided through a variety of career considerations, include labor market projections, education, apprenticeships, certifications, and licensure requirements.
Entrepreneurship Track
An "Introduction to Entrepreneurship" course provides participants with an introductory understanding of business ownership. The course provides an overview of entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals. Participants are introduced to the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to launch a business.
After completing the "Introduction to Entrepreneurship" course, participants can elect to further their study through online courses such as B2B: Market Research, B2B Business Fundamentals, Special Topic Tracks, or B2B: Revenue Readiness.
Mr. Todd Bennett, (010) 7323-4204, Todd.m.bennett@gmail.com
For more information on Transition Assistance Program workshops, visit www.tapevents.mil.
UDEMY
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TRANSITION EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY SPOUSES (TEAMS)
The Department of Labor (DOL) has launched new virtual courses for military spouses called Transition Employment Assistance for Military Spouses (TEAMS). These are virtual modular courses that can be taken individually or all together depending on what topics they are interested in. I’ve included the flyer with the 4 initial offerings. Registration is not limited to spouses of transitioning service members, but any military spouse interested in employment assistance.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/veterans/military-spouses
Please help spread the word so our spouses can take advantage of this opportunity.
As always, thank you for all you do.