TAP TIMELINE
It is recommended for Service Member to start early because the process to confidently transition is lengthy.
"Go Early, Go Often"
MANAGING YOUR TRANSITION TIMELINE (MYTT)
Transition activities must begin NLT 365 DAYS before transition and may begin as early as 24 MONTHS prior to retirement
Access Transition Online Learning (TOL) for self-paced online courses
- Make an appt with your local TAP Counselor to begin the TAP process
- Attending Schedule and attend mandatory Career Readiness Standards (CRS), Initial Counseling and Pre-Separation Counseling
- Identify a mentor
- Create a LinkedIn account
- Connect to the Hiring Our Heroes network
- Review work Start Service Transcript (JST)
- Verification of Military Experience and Training (VMET), CG-4062, and other Service specific transcripts
- Use MilSpouse to conduct career exploration
- Update your spending plan; review your emergency savings fund
- Separating: Schedule and attend Individual Initial Counseling and Pre-Separation Counseling
- Explore education opportunities or civilian training/universities through COOL
- Schedule VA workshops and/or individual appointments with TAP Counselor Office
- Create a master resume
- Consider taking CLEP exams
- Begin and refine your job search strategy
- Use your master resume to begin drafting targeted resumes
- Arrange for household goods (HHG) transportation counseling
- If relocating, research your new area and other legal documents
- Retiring: meet with your Service Retirement Office
- Obtain copies of medical records and attend appointments to prepare for benefits for Disability
- Apply for BDD or Fully Developed VA Disability claim
- Start your SFLP and SMA, visit TRICARE for information
- Schedule and attend dental appointments
- Consider whether to take terminal leave or sell back your leave balance
- Determine if you're eligible for Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers (UCX)
- Submit a DD claims using a decision letter
- Connect with an American Job Center and meet your Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist
- Register on VA.gov
- Sign up for a free year of LinkedIn Premium
- Make an appointment with a Financial Counselor
- Review your DD 2648 and DD 214
- Research your health insurance options
- Complete and register for TRICARE
- Contact your medical treatment facility to get copies of your health and dental records
- Complete VA Healthcare registration
- Set up a one-on-one session with a VA Benefits Counselor
- Obtain a Veteran's Preference letter from VA
- Apply for Personalized Career Planning and Guidance
- Begin applying and interviewing for positions
- Submit fully developed VA Disability claim through a Veteran Service Officer (VSO)
- Attend CRS & Capstone
- Complete DD 2648 with a Transition Team Member
- Review Military OneSource for resources available during your post-transition and after
- Sign up for dental and medical care
- Schedule Capstone with a TAP Counselor and Commander/Designee
- Have multiple certified copies of your DD 214 and Review your DD 2648 and DD 214
- Apply for VA Dental and Health Care
- Complete and register for TRICARE
- Contact your medical treatment facility to get copies of your health and dental records
- Complete VA Healthcare registration
- Set up a one-on-one session with a VA Benefits Counselor
- Obtain a Veteran's Preference letter from VA
- Apply for Personalized Career Planning and Guidance
Important Resources & Acronyms:
- Transition Online Learning (TOL): Self-paced online courses
- LinkedIn: Professional networking platform
- Hiring Our Heroes: Military spouse and veteran career network
- COOL: Credentialing Opportunities On-Line
- CLEP: College Level Examination Program
- BDD: Benefits Delivery at Discharge
- TRICARE: Military health care program
- VA.gov: Department of Veterans Affairs website
- Military OneSource: 24/7 support and resources
Updated: June 2024
TAP PROCESS STEPS
Register and Complete Self-Assessment
Visit Registration Portal to begin the process. Once complete, visit the Schofield Barracks or Fort Shafter TAP center. This step should be completed ideally 18 months for ETS or 24 months for retirees before a Service Member's last day in the army.
Schedule and Complete 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. A tier will be assigned to a Service Member to help them meet their transition goals.
Executive TAP Eligibility
If a Service Member is in the following Ranks, they are eligible to take the Executive TAP courses. These courses are offered twice a quarter. If eligible, tell the TAP counselor you are interested.
| E8 and above | W4 and above | O5 and above |
|---|
Pre-Separation Briefing
Pre-Separation Briefing is scheduled during IIC. PRE-SEPARATION COUNSELING MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE CLASSES. Pre-separation counseling, just like IIC, MUST start no later than 365 days prior to separation date.
Attend Required TAP Classes
Attend the required TAP classes by attending in person classes or completing online classes.
Required Classes for ALL tiers:
- My Transition
- MOC Crosswalk
- Financial Planning for Transition
- VA Benefits and Services
- DOL One Day
- Continuum Counseling (Must complete unless served over 20 years.)
Additional required classes for Tier 3 ONLY:
- Two-Day Track
- DoL Employment Workshop
- DoD Managing Your Education
- DoL Career and Credential Exploration
- SBA Entrepreneurship: Boots to Business
Financial Spend Plan Approval Counseling
If Service Member is assigned a tier 2 or 3, the Service Member MUST complete a financial spend plan approval counseling.
Capstone - Finalize 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. Capstone must also be completed for a Service Member to submit a CSP packet.
OTHER TAP RESOURCES
