Mission: The Transition Assistance Program is responsible for providing Soldiers with the counseling, employment and education workshops, and seminars required to achieve the law and policy Career Readiness Standards mandated compliance. TAP has undergone a re-engineering in order to "prepare" and "connect" Soldiers to ensure the greatest opportunities for successful personal and career achievement upon transition from active duty.

Steps in the Separation/Retirement Process

Required at:    Separations| 18 months prior to ETS

Retirement | 24 months prior to approved retirement date

 Enrollment Instructions

1.  Register on https://portal.armytap.army.mil

2.  Complete “Self-Assessment”

3.  Call Ft Knox Virtual Center:  800-325-4715

- “I’m calling from Torii Station, Japan.  I have completed the Online Self-Assessment and would like to complete my initial counseling.”

* Before you end the call:  Ensure your Pre-Separation Brief is scheduled

4.  Once you have attended the Pre-Separation Brief, send email  to Christopher.L.Womack2.civ@army.mil  to schedule an appointment to discuss your transition plans and create your in-person TAP Workshop schedule.

Three days of comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare service members for their transition.

This workshop consists of the following mandatory requirements:

Day 1                  Managing My Transition | MOC Crosswalk Financial Planning for Transition

Day 2                  VA Benefits and Services

Day 3                  DOL Employment Fundamentals of Career Transition.

Service members are encouraged to participate in at least one 2-Day Workshop.  Depending on your Tier level assignment, a 2-Day Track may be required.

Career and Credential Exploration (C2E)

Employment

Boots to Business (B2B)

Managing My Education

Service members show evidence they have completed Career Readiness Standards (CRS), which are tangible measurements of a service member’s preparedness to successfully transition from military to civilian life. The eForm (DD Form 2648) is finalized during this appointment.

Must be accomplished between 12 months and NLT 90 days prior to the start of Terminal Leave or Permissive TDY. You must have a completed DD Form 2648 (signed by Commander) to out-process the installation.

Post-Assessment and Capstone Instructions

1.  Login to https://portal.armytap.army.mil

2.  Complete the Post-Assessment (bottom left button)

3.  Call Ft Knox Virtual Center            800-325-4715

- “I’m calling from Torii Station; Japan I have completed my Post-Assessment and would like to complete my Capstone and sign my eForm.”

4. Once you have signed your eForm, email me, christopher.l.womack2.civ@army.mil, stating “I have completed my Capstone and signed my eForm and the Virtual Center should be routing it to my Commander, (Commander’s Name), for signature.”

ARMY TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ARMY – TAP)

Army TAP is a centrally funded Commanders program that provides transition assistance services to eligible Soldiers. Federal Law is the foundation of the Transition Assistance Program initiative, along with DOD and Army policy.

TAP supports the Active Component retention by helping Soldiers to intelligently compare the Army offerings, benefits and potential for growth with what they can expect from the private sector.  Many Soldiers realize during attendance that they should stay on active duty to strengthen or gain new skills, attend to their education and training and add to their experience prior to separating. 

Successful Army Veterans serve as a powerful example of what Army service can do for a young person’s future.  They support the manning of the total Army and are a living billboard for recruiting purposes.  The decision to join the military and, more specifically, the Army is often influenced by friends and relatives and our successful Army Veterans can be a positive influence in part of that decision making. 

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 their sacrifices and dedication.

All Commanders are required to meet with and be briefed on the program within 90 days of assuming command.  The Transition Services Manager (TSM) will be happy to accommodate leadership’s busy schedule by briefing in their office, or leadership may visit the TAP Center for a tour.  The TSM also makes regular TAP overview briefings for units twice a year or upon request (in preparation for deployments, i.e. mass registration).  The TSM and staff are available for Professional Trainings in any of the subject matter relating to transition, federal hiring and the civilian private sector as needed by units.  Finally the TSM can provide you with updates of TAP unit performance metrics. 

Retirement Services and Transition Center

SOLDIER FOR LIFE - RETIREMENT SERVICE OFFICE (SFL-RSO)
The Army Retirement Services Office develops Army policy and oversees Army programs worldwide that prepare Soldiers and their Families for retirement, assist survivors of Soldiers who die on active duty, and serve Retired Soldiers, surviving spouses, and their Families until death in order to comply with federal laws, encourage Retired Soldiers to be Soldiers For Life, and improve recruiting and retention. In accordance with AR 600-8-7, Army Retirement Services develops Army policy and procedures for the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) program; publishes Echoes, the newsletter for Retired Soldiers and surviving spouses and their families; develops policy for the operation of the Army Retirement Services Program; and administers the Army Chief of Staff's (CSA) Retiree Council.
Execute the delivery of military personnel services with promptness and efficiency for Active duty Soldiers, Army Reserve, National Guard, and Retirees. Ensure that each Soldier’s Certificate of Release or Discharge from active duty (DD Form 214) is prepared expeditiously with accurate and precise information. Assist in making the move from military to civilian life a smooth transition.