If you are preparing to retire or separate from the Air Force as a military member or a civilian, the Transition Assistance Program will assist you by providing career planning, resume reviews, interview techniques, access to employment opportunities and the development of job search skills. Initial Counseling and Pre-separation briefings are available on the first and third Monday of every month from 0800-1500 and must be completed no later than 365 days before separation or retirement (FY19-NDAA) A three Transition workshop is offered monthly, and includes briefings from the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Transitioning out of the military involves several steps:
- Pre-Separation Counseling
- Transition GPS Workshop
- VA Benefits Briefings I and II
- Capstone
During these steps you will be developing a plan for your future. It could be starting a new career, going back to college or a technical school, starting your own business or sailing around the world. The transition process will help you make the right decisions for a successful future.
Become familiar with the DOD website, www.DODTAP.mil. You will use this site to track your progress through all these steps.
Step 1: Initial Counseling/Self-Assessment
Includes a personal self-assessment (attached) to identify the pathway that determines the Service members’ level of transition assistance needed (tier level) and post-transition goals in accordance with Section 1142 of Title 10, U.S.C.
Step 2: Pre-separation/Transition Counseling
Provides counseling on various benefits, programs, services, tools, and other important resource entitlements for which they may be eligible pursuant to Section 1142 of Title 10, U.S.C.
Step 3: DoD Transition Day
Delivers an understanding of resilience necessary during transition, identifies and translates current military position description into civilian equivalent, and provides financial literacy training at transition. This delivers the “Complete Gap Analysis and criterion-based financial spend plan” CRS.
Step 4: DOL One-Day Employment Fundamentals of Transition (EFCT)
Provides an overview of employment in the civilian sector, in accordance with Section 1144 of Title 10, U.S.C.
Step 5: VA Benefits and Services
Provides knowledge of VA benefits Service members have earned, how to apply for them, and how to leverage them for the best possible outcome, in accordance with Section 1142 of Title 10, U.S.C. This delivers the “Registration on eBenefits” CRS.
Step 6: Two-Day Tracks
Tracks chosen by Service members to fulfill their personal self-assessment/ITP and post-transition goals. These include:
- DOL Employment Track: Provides an in-depth knowledge of the topics covered during the DOL One-Day. This delivers the “Creation of a completed resume” CRS.
- DoD Education Track: Provides guidance on choosing an educational institution, preparing for the application process, and expectations upon attendance. This delivers the “Complete a comparison of higher education institutions” CRS.
- DOL Vocational Track: Provides guidance and assistance in conducting several self-assessments to determine a career path to align with skills, interests, and abilities to identify a vocational post-transition career and in locating a technical school. This delivers the “Complete a comparison of technical training institutions” CRS.
- SBA Entrepreneurship Track (Boots to Business): Provides information on business ownership self-employment in the private or non-profit sectors.
Final Step is the Capstone/ITP Review: Provides an opportunity for eligible Service members to verify attainment of the Career Readiness Standards CRS by the commander or designee. Based upon the judgment of the commander or commander’s designee, if the Service member cannot meet the CRS before transition, the commander or designee verifies, confirms and documents a warm handover to appropriate inter-agency partners or local resources. Capstone MUST be completed No Later than 90 days before the day of separation, or retirement.
**Due to COVID-19 all Transition Assistance Program Services are provided virtually via WebEx, Zoom and over the phone. Please contact anaika.fletcher.1@spaceforce.mil with any questions.
- Common Career Readiness Standards that EVERYONE must produce as deliverables; verified during Capstone
- CRSs are tangible measures for the service member preparation for entry into a civilian career, higher education, vocational training, or entrepreneurship
- Completed personal self-assessment/ITP
- Completed a Continuum of Military Service Opportunity counseling (AC Separatees only)
- Registration on www.va.gov (previously ebenefits registration)
- Additional CRSs may be required based on the Service members’ self-assessment/post transition goals
- A complete criterion-based post-transition financial plan
- Completed gap analysis OR verification of employment
- Associated CRS with the chosen 2 day track
- A completed resume or employment verification (DOLEW
- A complete comparison of higher education options (MYE)
- A complete comparison of vocational technical training institution options (C2E)
Optional Materials:
Career Readiness Standards and required documents are listed below:
Questions? Contact Military & Family Readiness Center, (310) 653-5428.