TAP classes expanded to five days

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gaddie
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Transition Assistance Program workshops in the armed forces were recently expanded from three to five days. The workshop now includes briefs from the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs, as mandated by the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011.

Eglin's Airman and Family Readiness Center held its first new TAP workshop Nov. 5-9.

"Since November 2011, all military branches, the DoL, VA and the Small Business Administration have partnered to develop a more robust transition program for our separating service members," said Mark Wilke," the A&FRC director.

The goal of the TAP workshop, which is now mandatory for all service members separating from the military, is to provide the necessary tools and strategies needed for employment in the civilian workforce. The redesigned workshop is a critical part of the president of the United States' plan to better prepare service members for civilian life and to lower veteran unemployment numbers.

Prior to the workshop, service members are given a standardized Individual Transition Plan template during pre-separation counseling, Wilke said.

"It's a 30-page document they use to develop their goals and strategies before they leave the military," Wilke said. "We help them complete it and conduct one-on-one consultations that assist them in pursuing their transition goals."

The first day of TAP classes include: transition overview; military occupational code crosswalk (a module designed to help service members translate military training and experience into skills appropriate for civilian jobs); and an advanced financial planning class.

Next, service members receive the three-day DoL employment brief which includes a change management plan; develop your job search plan/career exploration and validation; effective job search; federal hiring, resume and programs; interview skills and post interview analysis.

The day five classes include a VA benefits brief; education; all other benefits; and a Disabled Transition Assistance Program overview.

"Under this new concept, we offer the best transition tools for attending college or a vocational school, getting a job, or starting a business," said Marcy Silvia, A&FRC's TAP manager. "We want to make the transition as smooth as possible for all our military members, in all branches."

Staff Sgt. Scott Lindsey, a chemical warfare specialist with the 7th Special Forces Group, plans to separate from the Army after 11 years. He plans to join the National Guard and re-classify into the combat arms field.

"I want to eventually have a career in law enforcement, but I'm also looking at waste management, which falls in line with what I've been doing my entire Army career," Lindsey said. "This workshop will help me examine all the employment possibilities out there."

Senior Airman Paulette Bundy, a member of the 96th Force Support Squadron's sports special events office, said she's leaving the Air Force after five years. She plans to join the Air National Guard, attend college full time and apply the skills she's acquired in the Air Force towards the hotel and restaurant management field.

"I'm learning what other options are available to me in this workshop," she said.

Wilke said the TAP workshop is currently being offered bi-monthly. It will go to three times a month beginning January 2013, he said. New DoL and VA briefs will also be implemented at that time.

"Preparing our service members for transition to civilian life is a great responsibility," Wilke said. "They served their country, whether it was for four years or for 30 years. We want to help set them up for success when they retire or separate. We want to reduce the number of homeless and unemployed veterans. We want our veterans to go on to get jobs. The TAP class will offer tremendous assistance in that process."