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Transition Assistance Program

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by LibertyBird1 (talk | contribs) at 18:23, 18 April 2019 (Edited overview, history, added FY19 NDAA changes, and additional information on TAP and the Transition to Veterans Program Office.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) led program that provides information and training to ensure service members transitioning from active-duty are prepared for their next step in life - whether pursuing additional education, finding a job in the public or private sector, or starting their own business.

TAP is a cohesive, modular, outcome-based program that bolsters and standardizes the opportunities, services and training service members receive to better prepare post-military career goals.

TAP is the result of an partnership between the Departments of Defense (DoD), Labor (DOL), Veterans Affairs (VA), Homeland Security (DHS), Education (ED), the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The mandatory components of TAP are applicable for all service members, including National Guard and Reservists transitioning or being released from active duty, after serving 180 continuous days or more in accordance with Title 10, United States Code, Chapter 58.

In accordance with the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, the DoD Transition to Veterans Program Office (TVPO) is responsible for designing, overseeing, and evaluating TAP.

The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19 NDAA) became public law on August 13, 2018. The bill authorized many changes to the Department of Defense (DoD) Transition Assistance Program (TAP), to be implemented in 2019. The purpose of the program will remain the same, however the TAP process will reflect its new requirements beginning October 1, 2019.

History

In 1990, as the U.S. military's post-Cold War draw down was beginning, the United States Congress authorized through HR4739 (101st Congress),[1] which became PL 101-510,[2] a set of benefits and services to assist military personnel in the transition to civilian life. Over 20 years later as Post-9/11 veterans are separating from the military, President Barack Obama announced plans for the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to design a "reverse boot camp" to improve the transition from military to civilian life.[3] On November 21, 2011, President Barack Obama signed the "Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act" which among other things brought about major changes to the Transition Assistance Program.[4]

The redesign to the program was authorized in the VOW Act, which became PL 112-56,[5] and included 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,[6] completion of Career Readiness Standards, and the verification by a commander of a service member’s career readiness.[7] On average, 200,000 service members separate from the military each year.[8]

The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19 NDAA) became public law on August 13, 2018. The bill authorized many changes to the Department of Defense (DoD) Transition Assistance Program (TAP), to be implemented in 2019. The purpose of the program will remain the same, however the TAP process will reflect its new requirements beginning October 1, 2019.

Transition to Veterans Program Office

The Transition to Veterans Program Office is responsible for providing transition assistance policy and program oversight to promote, advance, and instill a culture of career-ready service members.

TVPO's mission is to help foster a military culture that returns to America a career-ready veteran which strengthens the all-volunteer force. Its strategic goals are to: revitalize TAP to meet the needs of the nation, strengthen partner collaboration to improve service member career readiness, and institutionalize transition preparation into the military culture.

TVPO’s vision is to change Department culture from end-of-service commitment transition planning to a Military Life Cycle (MLC) approach, emphasizing career readiness planning at every step of a service member’s career.  In doing so, we ensure mission readiness is maintained, while also sustaining the All-Volunteer Force for both the Active and Reserve Component, as well as strengthening the Nation’s competitiveness in the global economy.

The current Director of TVPO is Tamre Newton[9]. Former directors include Karin Orvis, Ph.D. and Susan Kelly, Ph.D.

TVPO's parent organization is the Defense Personnel and Family Support Center.

DoDI 1332.35

On February 29, 2016, the DoD issued Department of Defense Instruction 1332.35 [10] for The Transition Assistance Program for Military Personnel. This DoDI replaces DoDI 1332.36 and Directive-Type Memorandum 12-007 (refs c and d).

Changes to TAP as a Result of the FY19 NDAA

The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 authorized the following changes to be made to the Transition Assistance Program[11]:

Transition from the military to civilian life must begin no later than 365 days prior to transition for those who are separating or retiring. It is recommended retirees begin the transition process at least two years prior to retirement.

Individualized initial counseling (IC) between the service member and a TAP counselor begins the transition process. During the IC session, service members complete their personal self-assessment/Individual Transition Plan (ITP) to identify and discuss their unique needs of the transition process and post-transition goals.

Once the individualized IC is complete, pre-separation counseling commences. Pre-separation counseling, just like IC, must be completed no later than 365 days prior to transition. Pre-separation counseling covers benefits, entitlements and resources for eligible transitioning service members. Caregivers are especially encouraged to attend this pre-separation counseling.

The DoD Pre-Separation Training Day follows pre-separation counseling, and is mandatory for transitioning service members. This portion of TAP is an eight-hour day which includes curriculum modules on building resiliency by managing your own transition (MyTransition), a Military Occupational Code Crosswalk to help define and translate military skills, and the financial plan for transition module, which fulfills financial literacy requirements.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will continue to provide the VA Benefits and Services Brief[12], formerly known as VA Benefits I and II, on the benefits and services available after separation or retirement.

The Department of Labor (DOL) will provide a required DOL One-Day Brief on employment, which is an overview on employment and a change from the current 3-day DOL Employment Workshop (DOLEW).

The new changes with TAP involve a choice by the service member on two-days of instruction called tracks; these include: DOL Employment Track, DOL Vocational Track, DoD Higher Education Track, and SBA Entrepreneurship Track.

The transitioning service member may elect one or more of these tracks as determined during the development of their ITP and post-transition goals.

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. Capstone remains the culminating event for TAP.

Career Readiness Standards

The Career Readiness Standards (CRS) are the Department of Defense's measures of a service member's preparedness for a civilian career. They are a set of common and specific standards and associated products, based on service member-determined goals that must be achieved to demonstrate that the service member is prepared to pursue post-separation goals. These standards capitalize upon the skills and experience Service members have gained during military service and are aligned to employment or technical training and education competency areas. They ensure that Service members depart Active Duty prepared with the appropriate skills and knowledge to posture a successful transition.

To meet Career Readiness Standards (CRS) [13]all transitioning service members must:

  1. Complete Pre-Separation Counseling.
  2. Complete the Veteran Affairs (VA) Benefits and Services briefings
  3. Complete the Department of Labor (DOL) Employment Workshop.
  4. Register on eBenefits.
  5. Prepare a criterion-based Financial Plan for military to civilian transition.
  6. Complete a criterion-based Individual Transition Plan (ITP).
  7. Complete Continuum of Military Service Opportunity Counseling (Active Component to Reserve Component only).
  8. Evaluate transferability of military skills to the civilian workforce/ Complete DoD Standardized Gap Analysis.
  9. Document requirements and eligibility for licensure, certification, and apprenticeship.
  10. Complete an assessment tool to identify personal interests and leanings regarding career selection.
  11. Complete a job application package or show received a job offer letter.

Service members seeking higher education or career technical training must:

  1. Complete an assessment tool to identify aptitudes, interests, strengths, or skills.
  2. Complete a comparison of higher academic or technical training institution options.
  3. Complete a college, university, or career technical training application or receive an acceptance letter.
  4. Confirm one-on-one counseling with a higher education or career technical training institution advisor.

All CRS are verified by a service member's commander[14] prior to transition. If a service member doesn't meet their CRS, there is a warm handover to an interagency partner for additional assistance.

eForm and Enterprise Database

In November 2016, TAP released an eForm and Enterprise Database. The new eForm combines the three previous forms that service members used in their transition process into one electronic version. It is more streamlined and efficient, and there is no need for service members to collect wet signatures from their counselors and commanders.

The Enterprise Database provides real-time access and visibility for commanders across all branches of service. This allows for a smooth transition for service members who might be separating from the military while stationed at an installation that is not their military branch.[15]

Program Evaluation

The success of TAP is evaluated in multiple ways:

  • Transition GPS Participant Assessment - After completing portions of the Transition GPS curriculum, Service members and spouses can participate in assessments in order to provide feedback on the program.
  • Military Installation Site Visits - Installation visits are conducted to assess curriculum delivery and TAP processes with Service members and TAP counselors/commanders.
  • Outcome measures and outcome Indicators - The US Department of Defense collaborates with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, The U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Small Business Administration to track a variety of measures/indicators indicating career readiness, educational outcomes and employment outcomes for Service members and veterans. For example, OSD and the Services track the percentage of Service members with VOW eligible separations who met CRS and completed specific statutory requirements included in the 2011 VOW To Hire Heroes Act prior to their separation, retirement, or release from active duty.

Based on this feedback received through the program evaluation process, the program is assessed and modified annually to ensure overall effectiveness and excellence.

Online Curriculum

The TAP curriculum is outcome-based, modular curriculum with standardized learning objectives. It includes core curriculum and additional modules on education, career exploration and planning, and entrepreneurship. The TAP curriculum is designed to build skills that allow service members to depart "career ready" and meet mandatory Career Readiness Standards (CRS).

Service members receive the curriculum at key touch points throughout their Military Life Cycle (MLC). This allows service members the time within their military career to plan for their transition to the civilian world. Most importantly, it provides the resources to assist them in planning and aligning their military career goals with their civilian career goals. All Transition GPS modules are available to spouses during the Service member's transition planning.

All modules are delivered by the Military Services and partnering agencies at installations in a classroom setting. The curriculum is also available online 24/7 via Joint Knowledge Online.

Service members: If you are a service member and need official Transition Assistance Program credit/certification for Transition GPS courses, take the courses online via Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) (CAC required)

Veterans and Family Members: If you are a veteran or family member, you can take Transition GPS courses (without credit/certification) online via JKO (no CAC requirement)

References

  1. ^ https://www.congress.gov/bill/101st-congress/house-bill/4739
  2. ^ https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-104/pdf/STATUTE-104-Pg1485.pdf
  3. ^ "Obama Announcement". whitehouse.gov.
  4. ^ http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2016/11/5-years-on-obama-admin-highlights-improvements-to-tap/
  5. ^ https://www.congress.gov/112/plaws/publ56/PLAW-112publ56.pdf
  6. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal_government/susan-kelly-helping-military-members-transition-to-a-new-life/2015/09/29/380fb650-66cd-11e5-9223-70cb36460919_story.html
  7. ^ http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/10/18/65647/pentagon-strengthens-transition-program-for-those/
  8. ^ "Military Separations" (PDF). gao.gov.
  9. ^ "Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness > Leadership > tamreNewton". prhome.defense.gov. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  10. ^ http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/133235p.pdf
  11. ^ "Changes Are Coming to the Transition Assistance Program: Here's What to Expect". DVIDS. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  12. ^ "Transition Assistance Program (TAP) | benefits.va.gov". www.benefits.va.gov. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  13. ^ "DoD TAP - Career Readiness Standards (CRS)". dodtap.mil. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  14. ^ https://dodtap.mil/career_readiness_standards.html
  15. ^ https://dodtap.mil/forms.html
  • [1], the Department of Defense portal for information on the Transition Assistance Program
  • [2]JKO, the DoD-sponsored, Joint Staff training portal providing distributed learning access to Web-based joint courses
  • [3], a joint VA/DoD web portal that provides resources and self-service capabilities to veterans, service members, and their families
  • [4], DoDI 1332.35
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