Transition Assistance Program Logo

Mission: The Transition Assistance Program’s mission is to provide quality transition assistance, information, and training to eligible transitioning Service Members and families. This program empowers transitioning Service Members to gain the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to be competitive and successful in the global workforce.

Qualifications & Registration

QUALIFICATIONS

WHO QUALIFIES FOR TAP?

All Soldiers who will have 180 days or more of continuous active duty upon separation are required to receive TAP services in accordance with Section 1142 (a)(4)(C) of Title 10 U.S.C.

WHEN SHOULD I START TAP?

It is recommended retiring Soldiers begin TAP at 24 months prior to retirement, and Soldiers who are separating through a normal ETS should start TAP 18 months prior to separation. Transitioning Service members MUST begin TAP (to include the IIC, Pre-Separation Counseling, and Army Day) no later than 365 days prior to their separation date.

In the event of an unanticipated separation (chapter, medical separation, etc.) or retirement, TAP must begin as soon as possible.

 

REGISTRATION

Transitioning Service Members who qualify to start the TAP process must first contact the TAP Center to get started.

There are 2 ways to register to start TAP (here at USAG Humphreys). If you are assigned to another installation, you can call or visit your local TAP Center to start TAP.

  1. Call the USAG Humphreys TAP Office:
    • DSN 315-757-2101
    • COMM 050-3357-2101
  2. Visit the USAG Humphreys TAP Office:
    • Maude Hall (Bldg. 6400), Suite W301
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Counseling

INDIVIDUALIZED INITIAL COUNSELING

The Individualized Initial Counseling (IIC) is the FIRST appointment that must be completed with TAP.

SERVICE MEMBER MUST COMPLETE THE INDIVIDUALIZED INITIAL COUNSELING (IIC) BEFORE ALL OTHER TAP COURSES.

Individualized Initial Counseling (IIC) between the Service Member and a TAP counselor is the official start to the transition process. During the IIC session, Service Members complete their personal self-assessment and begin the development of their Individual Transition Plan (ITP) to identify their unique needs of the transition process and post-transition goals.

During the IIC, Service Members take an assessment which will provide results that will determine their tier assignment. The tier assignment indicates the classes they will be required to take and what deliverables they will have to provide prior to completing the Transition Assistance Program. They will also receive a NDAA standard checklist for tracking.

 

PRE-SEPARATION COUNSELING

Once the IIC is complete, pre-separation counseling commences. Pre-separation counseling, just like IIC, must be completed no later than 365 days prior to separation. 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.

This two-hour brief is a MANDATORY requirement for all classes. Classes cannot be completed before this briefing.

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Classes, Courses & Workshops

ARMY DAY (TAP CURRICULUM)

Service Members attend Army Day to complete 4 of their mandatory workshops. Army Day is comprised of:

  • Continuum of Military Service Briefing (You are not required to attend this briefing if you are retiring after 20 years of service or a member of the Reserves or National Guard.)
  • Managing “My” Transition
  • Military Occupational Code (MOC) Crosswalk
  • Financial Planning for Transition

 

ARMY DAY CLASSES

CONTINUUM OF MILITARY SERVICES  |  Reserve Component briefing to educate Transitioning Service Members with various opportunities and benefits with the National Guard and Reserves.

MANAGING "MY" TRANSITION  |  Provides Service Members with an understanding of the importance of preparing for their transition from military service into the civilian sector and provides an overview of the TAP curriculum. The "less obvious" topics of transition, such as personal and family transition concerns, the differences in the culture of civilian and military workplaces, transition-related stressors, and the importance of effective communication during the transition process are introduced. The course concludes with the presentation of both military and civilian resources that can provide support during and after transition to ensure a successful transition experience for military personnel and their family members.

MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL CODE (MOC) 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 to 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  |  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 can develop or update a post-military spending plan.

 

1-DAY COURSES

All service members must complete:

  • VA Benefits and Services Course, facilitated by the Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Employment Fundamentals of Career Transition (EFCT) Course, facilitated by the Department of Labor (DOL)

VA BENEFITS AND SERVICES  |  An interactive briefing designed to enable transitioning Service Members to make informed decisions regarding the use of VA benefits. The program supports each 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
  • Health Care Options (including both physical and emotional health needs)

EMPLOYMENT FUNDAMENTALS OF CAREER TRANSITION (EFCT)  |  Lays the foundation of the transition from Military to Civilian life. This workshop introduces the essential tools and resources needed to evaluate career options, gain information for Civilian employment, and understand the fundamentals of the employment process.

 

2-DAY WORKSHOPS (TRACK SPECIFIC)

Service Members who are assigned as Tier 3 will be required to complete one (1) two-day workshop based on their Individual Transition Plan. Each workshop addresses a specific track for post transition, including Educational, Vocational, Employment, and Entrepreneur. The Service Member will select the track that most relates to their post-transition plan. The classes are:

MANAGING "MY" EDUCATION  |  This curriculum assists Service Members in identifying the higher education requirements that support their personal career coals. This two-day workshop is divided into the following topic areas:

  • Learning the Basics
  • Choosing a Field of Study
  • Selecting an Institution
  • Gaining Admission
  • 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.

CAREER CREDENTIALING EXPLORATION (C2E)  |  This workshop, which is facilitated by the Department of Labor and focused on vocational careers, 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, including labor market projections, education, apprenticeships, certifications, and licensure requirements.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOP (DOLEW)  |  This 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.

INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP (BOOTS TO BUSINESS)  |  This course provides participants with an introductory understanding of business ownership. The Small Business Administration (SBA) developed the course to provide an overview of entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals. Participants are introduced to the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to launch a business. Boots to Business and Boots to Business Reboot participants are encouraged to take advantage of the many resources and services offered by the SBA and its partner network, including Veterans Business Outreach Centers, SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, and Women's Business Centers.

 

ADDITIVE COURSES (OPTIONAL)

TAP offers additional courses for the purpose of assisting Service Members with their transition needs. The additive courses are:

  • DRESS FOR SUCCESS  |  This course covers appropriate business attire for the civilian workforce and the different characteristics of a traditional business suit and modern changes.
  • INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES  |  Topics in this course include the characteristics of interviews and how to prepare, execute and follow-up after an interview.
  • SALARY NEGOTIATIONS  |  Negotiation techniques and how to evaluate job offers are reviewed during this course.
  • SKILLS DEVELOPMENT  |  This course is used to identify marketable skills that are transferable. This includes both soft and hard skills.
  • ADVANCED RESUME  |  This course is designed to continue the development of a civilian resume that a Service Member created during the other DOL workshops/courses.
  • GUIDE TO FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT  |  This course is designed to facilitate the understanding of the federal hiring process.
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Necessary Documentations

NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION

Service Members have documentation they must submit in addition to attending their assigned workshops. Each Tier and Track have separate requirements for documentation.

MANDATORY FOR ALL TIERS

  • REGISTRATION FOR VA.GOV WEBSITE  |  Service Members must provide proof of registration.
  • INDIVIDUAL TRANSITION PLAN (ITP)  |  Required sections are dependent on tier assignment. See figure 1 (.pdf)

 

MANDATORY FOR TIER 2 AND TIER 3

  • GAP ANALYSIS  |  This document is discussed during the MOC Crosswalk class. See figure 2 (.pdf)
  • POST-TRANSITION SPENDING PLAN  |  This document is introduced during the Financial Planning for Transition Course. See figure 3 (.pdf)

 

MANDATORY FOR TIER 3

The documents required for Tier 3 are introduced during track-specific workshops.

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Capstone (Final Appointment)

CAPSTONE (FINAL TAP APPOINTMENT)

Capstone is a mandatory component of the TAP process. Capstone is where a commander, or a commander's designee, verifies that the transitioning Service Member has met the TAP Career Readiness Standards (CRS), has a viable Individual Transition Plan (ITP), and is prepared to transition from active duty. If a Service Member requires or desires follow-on assistance, a "warm handover" will be facilitated to appropriate partner agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Labor. Capstone must be completed no later than 90 days before the date of separation or retirement.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

IS THE TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM MANDATORY?

The mandatory components of TAP are applicable for all Service Members, including National Guard and Reservists transitioning or being released from active duty, after service 180 continuous days or more in accordance with Section 1142 of Title 10 U.S.C., Army Regulation 600-81 and the NDAA 2019.

ARE SOLDIERS WHO ARE BEING INVOLUNTARILY SEPARATED (CHAPTERED) REQUIRED TO RECEIVE TAP SERVICES?

Yes, all Soldiers who have 180 days or more of continuous active duty upon separation are required to receive TAP services in accordance with Section 1142 (a)(4)(c) of Title 10 U.S.C.

CAN TAP BE WAIVED?

No, TAP cannot be waived based on Army Regulation 600-81 and NDAA 2019.

WHEN CAN I GET MY DD-2648 (eFORM)?

The DD-2648 (eForm) can be accessed at the completion of the final Capstone appointment. Capstone appointments are not scheduled until ALL CRS requirements are met.

WHAT DOES CRS MEAN?

Career Readiness Standards.

HOW DO I KNOW MY SOLDIERS ARE REALLY DOING SOMETHING FOR TAP?

The TAP Office provides appointment slips from the first visit. Service Members will be able to show you an appointment slip for every transition service they are scheduled to attend. Commanders and First Sergeants can request a Soldier's attendance and program status by emailing usarmy.humphreys.id-pacific.mbx.tap@army.mil.

DO I HAVE TO TAKE CLASSES IN ORDER?

Yes, classes must be taken in order to receive credit. Classes taken out of order are voided.

WHAT IF MY INVOLUNTARY SOLDIER'S ETS DATE IS WITHIN 30 DAYS?

Options are available to Soldiers to complete TAP in a timely manner.

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Figures & Examples

FIGURES/EXAMPLES

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