​​​​​​Mission

This program enables Soldiers to capitalize on their Army experience and skills. Soldiers make informed decisions using transition program services and re-enlistment may be a viable option. It is all about making informed decisions – setting Soldiers up for success.

Soldiers leaving the Army must complete the Mandatory Pre-Separation Counseling Checklist (DD Form 2648) no later than 12 months from their separation date. New mandated Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act training requirements must be completed prior to separation. Once Soldiers are eligible, it is recommended to begin transition program services as early as possible. Please visit the Fort Leonard Wood Army Transition Assistance Center (TAP), located in Building 470, Suite 2219. Hours of operation are 0730-1630, Monday-Friday – open on Training Holidays and closed on all Federal Holidays.

THE ARMY TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP)

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

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 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. 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 Transition Services Manager (TSM) will be happy to arrange a visit to the TAP Center for you and your staff to provide an overview of TAP services. During your visit, you can tour the Center and view a demonstration of the Army's automated system of record for transition services TAP XXI. The TSM and staff are available to present informational briefings at installation/unit professional training and meetings or to host such events at the TAP Center. The TSM can also provide regular updates of TAP installation/unit performance metrics.

TAP is Mandatory for all separating Soldiers regardless of rank:

•    Must register and complete the Initial Assessment on the Army Transition Assistance Program Website         (https://portal.armytap.army.mil)
•    Initial Counseling NLT 365 days prior to separation.
•    Eligible retirees and those with a mandatory retirement date can start TAP 24 months prior to transition.
•    Chapters, REFRAD and Soldiers in IDES Process must start when action is initiated by the Command.
•    Soldiers with less than 12 months upon redeployment must start before deployment.
•    Army retirees and their Family members may utilize TAP services for life.
•    Non-retiring servicemembers may use TAP services up to 180 days after separation.

•    Lead Army Agency tasked to Support the Commander in the Execution of their Transition Program.
•    Unit Focal Point Advisor Training and Liaison.
•    Career Skills Program (CSP) Command Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) Processing.
•    Statistical Performance/Compliance Analysis, Staff Assistance Visits.
•    Command Briefings, Pre/Post Deployment Briefings, NCO/OPD.
•    IDES (AW2, MEB/PEB) Transition Support.
•    Unprogrammed Loss (Chapter/REFRAD) Expedited VOW and Career Readiness Skills Processing.

•    TAP is the Army-directed agency for connecting Industry Jobs to Transitioning Soldiers.
•    Quarterly Mini and Bi-Annual Career Fairs.
•    Targeted and Company-Specific Hiring Events.

•    Individually Tailored Transition Planning, Federal, State and Local Benefits Counseling.
•    Public/Private Sector Resume Assistance, Job Application Support.
•    Financial and Transition Budget Planning.
•    College/University and Trade School Application Support.
•    Dress for Success, Salary, and Benefits Negotiation.  
•    US Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits Training and Advisement.

The Army Career Skills Program (CSP) affords transitioning Service Members the opportunity to participate in employment skills training (EST), on-the-job training (OJT), pre- apprenticeships and internships with a high probability of employment in high-demand and highly-skills jobs.

For more information on CSP click here.

ACES Transition Education Counselor

This comprehensive program provides education support services not only to transitioning Service members, but to family members as well. Transition Education Counselors provide individual counseling, Group counseling, virtual counseling, and facilitate a two-day, eight hours each day, Accessing Higher Education (AHE) track class.

Transition Education Counselors (TEC) assist with goal setting, education plan development, skills and needs assessment, the schools’ admissions and application process, as well as applying for education funding that includes both the Montgomery and Post 9/11 GI Bills.

Transition Education Counselors facilitate a two-day higher education track (HET) class.  Higher education track classes are facilitated in six sections, which consist of:

-    Getting Started
-    Learning the basics
-    Choosing a Field of Study
-    Choosing an Institution
-    Gaining Admission
-    Funding Your Education

Counselors teach participants the following topics:

How to research and compare a brick-and-mortar institution versus an online institution
-    The different types of accreditations
-    The significant role that Veteran Student Organizations have on campus
-    Costs of tuition and other fees associated with attending a university
-    Programs designed to offset tuition for veterans such as the Yellow Ribbon Program
-    The process of transferring military experience into college credit using the American Council of Education Military Guide
-    How to apply for federal aid, scholarships, grants, work study programs, and GI Bills.
-    How to initiate and complete the school’s admissions and application process
-    How to avoid debt.

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