Transition Assistance Program

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is a U.S. Department of Defense-led program that provides Service members with information, tools, and training to prepare them for civilian life. Other U.S. agencies that participate in the development, delivery, and evaluation of the curriculum and information include the U.S. Department of Labor, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Education, and the Office of Personnel Management.

The program offers mandatory and optional curriculum for Service members through classroom training and also provides the curriculum online through the Knowledge Online portal.

The curriculum is intended to provide transitioning Service members, whether separating from the service or retiring, the information they need to successfully pursue additional education, find a job, or start their own business.

History In 1990, as the U.S. military's post-Cold War drawdown was beginning, Congress authorized through PL 101-510 a set of benefits and services to assist military personnel in the transition to civilian life. Many of these authorities continued until 2011, when the program was modified through PL 112-56.

Major modifications to the program authorized in PL 112-56 include mandatory participation for all service members, standardized curriculum and learning outcomes, expanded timeline and smaller class sizes, the requirement to have components of the program spread throughout a service member's military career, completion of Career Readiness Standards, and the verification by a commander of a service member’s career readiness.

Features

Career Readiness Standards

Career Readiness Standards (CRS) are the DoD's measure of a Service member's preparedness for a civilian career. CRS must be achieved to demonstrate that the service member is prepared to depart Active Duty with the skills and knowledge for a successful transition.

To meet CRS all transitioning Service members must:

1) Complete the Individual Transition Plan (ITP) documenting the individual's personal employment, higher education, career technical training, and/or entrepreneurship goals, actions, and milestones. 2) Complete an integrated 12-month post-separation budget. 3) Register on the VA [1] site. 4) Complete Continuum of Military Service Opportunity Counseling (Active Component to Reserve Component only). 5) Evaluate transferability of military skills to the civilian workforce and complete the gap analysis provided during the Military Occupational Code Crosswalk. 6) Identify requirements and eligibility for certification, licensure, and apprenticeship in the Service member's desired potential career field. 7) Complete a standardized individual assessment tool to identify personal interests and leanings regarding career selection. 8) Receive Department of Labor (DOL) Gold Card for American Job Centers. The Gold Card provides six months of priority services for post 9/11 Veterans at any DOL American Job Center, including DOL-funded employment and training programs; case management; skills assessment and interest surveys; career guidance; and job search assistance. 9) Complete job application package or receive job offer letter. The package must include a private or public sector resume, personal and professional references, and at least two submitted job applications. 10) Document requirements and eligibility for licensure, certification, and apprenticeship 11) Complete pre-separation counseling 12) Complete VA Benefits I and II Briefings 13) Complete the DOL Employment Workshop (unless exempt)

Core Curriculum

Service members complete the CRS through attending TAP's core curriculum classroom training. This core curriculum, called Transition GPS (Goals, Plans, Success), includes the following training courses:

1) Transition Overview / Resilient Transitions: Provides Service members with an understanding of the importance of preparing for their transition from military service and introduces participants to resources on transition-related issues that may have a significant impact on the transition process if overlooked. 2) Military Occupational Code Crosswalk: Demonstrates how to translate military skills, training, and experience into civilian credentialing appropriate for civilian jobs. 3) Financial Planning: Provides information and tools needed to identify financial responsibilities, obligations, and goals after separation from the military. 4) VA Benefits briefings: Provides information on available Veterans benefits and services. 5) Department of Labor Workshop: Delivers best practices in career development, including learning interview skills, building effective resumes, and using emerging technology to network and search for employment. 6) ITP Review / Capstone: Verifies that a Service member has met CRS and has a viable Individual Transition Plan.

Tracks

Transitioning Service members will have the option of selecting one or more two-day individual Training Tracks aligned with their personal goals: Accessing Higher Education, Career Technical Training and Entrepreneurship.

Accessing Higher Education: The Accessing Higher Education track is for those pursuing higher education. It assists Service members in identifying the education requirements that support their personal goals. This track focuses on topics such as how to achieve academic success, how to research and compare institutions, and how to finance higher education. After completing the Accessing Higher Education Track, Service members will be prepared to complete an application to an accredited institution, schedule a session with a counselor from an academic institution, or meet individually with education counselors, as needed.

Career Technical Training: Service members pursuing career technical training will receive guidance and help in selecting technical training schools and technical fields. After completing the Career Technical Training Track, Service members will be prepared to complete an application to an accredited career technical training institution, schedule a session with a counselor from a career technical training institution, or meet individually with career technical training experts and VA vocational education counselors, as applicable.

Entrepreneurship: Service members pursuing self-employment in the private or non-profit sectors will receive information related to the benefits and challenges of entrepreneurship and the steps required for business ownership through the SBA "Boots to Business", Entrepreneurship Track. Once Service members have completed the Entrepreneurship Track, they will have developed the initial components of a business feasibility plan. Additionally, they will be given the opportunity to enroll in an optional eight-week online entrepreneurship course, which helps them complete a business plan and connects them with a successful business mentor to assist Service members with the business start-up process.

Military Life Cycle Transition Model The Military Life Cycle (MLC) Transition Model allows for a Service member's transition preparation to begin early in his or her military career. Service members will have various key touch points throughout their career that provide them opportunities to align their military career with their civilian goals. During these touch points, service members map and refine their individual development to achieve their military goals and their post-military goals for employment, education, career technical training, or starting their own business.