By Larry Dandridge
The first two articles in this series on the DoD and USMC Transition Assistance Programs (TAPS) are online and can be found at https://www.yourislandnews.com by clicking on Military.
The first article covered the DoD and USMC TAPS Programs, and the second article advised transitioning military members to:
· Read 44 references published to help military members and their families transition successfully to civilian life.
· Use TAP Transition Staff and Counselors, a VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer, and Military Installation Resources, including Life Counselors, Chaplains, Medical Professionals, Behavioral Health Teams, VSOs, and the Education Office to help them prepare for transition to civilian life or reenlisting in the military.
This article will cover the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy TAPS programs.
Army
U.S. Army TAP information is available on the “TAP Invests in Soldiers” webpage found at https://www.armytap.army.mil. The Army’s TAP webpage states that Army TAP is a Commander’s Program and a Soldier’s responsibility. TAP provides information and training to ensure transitioning Soldiers, Department of the Army (DA) Civilians, Retirees, Soldiers’ Family members, and Caregivers are prepared for their next step in life — whether pursuing additional education, finding a job, or starting their own business.
TAP is administered locally at your TAP center or the Army’s 24/7 Virtual Center if you are located remotely, more than 50 miles from a TAP center. The mandatory components of TAP apply to all soldiers with at least 180 consecutive days of active duty, including National Guard and Reserve soldiers serving on Title 10 status.
Going early and often to TAP has been statistically proven to increase the chance of post-transition success. A study by Hiring Our Heroes found that soldiers are twice as likely to get a job before leaving active duty if they start their job search at least six months before transitioning.
TAP begins no later than 365 days prior to the transition for those transitioning or retiring. It is recommended that retirees begin the transition process at least two years prior to retirement, and that all other transitioning Soldiers begin the transition process 18 months prior to retirement. In the event of an unanticipated separation or retirement, or if a member of the Reserve Component is demobilized with less than 365 days of service remaining, TAP must begin as soon as possible within the remaining service period.
The TAP Virtual Center (VC) provides access to required courses, counselors, transition materials, resume resources, and seminars. The Virtual Center and call line are open 24/7. The VC is beneficial for deployed and remote Soldiers and is available online and by phone at 1-800-325-4715. The Career Skills Program (CSP) provides Soldiers with the opportunity to participate in apprenticeships, on-the-job training, internships, and employment skills training. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/4s1Kq81. There are four Career Tracks offered, each one taking two days. If required, the class and applicable CRS must be completed NLT 3 months prior to transition. They are Education, Employment, Entrepreneur, and Vocational.
The Army TAP webpage provides links to the following TAP resources.
- Commanders Fact Sheet: The unit Commander ensures all transitioning Soldiers use TAP services IAW AR 600-81. Commanders support a Soldier’s transition and encourage them to attend additional classes and events. Download from the Army TAPS webpage at https://www.armytap.army.mil.
- Recruit Military provides access to thousands of employers. This site introduces searchers to new AI-enhanced recruiting tools and connects military members, veterans, and spouses with high-quality jobs. Learn more at https://recruitmilitary.com/job-seekers/.
- Career Skills Program: The Army Career Skills Program (CSP) is a component of the Transition Soldier Life Cycle model that encourages Soldiers to capitalize on training and development opportunities throughout their military careers. CSPs provide Soldiers opportunities to participate in career and employment skills training programs during the last 180 days of military service. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3MX9LAJ.
- The Department of Labor prepares service members, veterans, and spouses for meaningful careers. Learn more at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets.
- Private-Public Partnership helps Army Reserve Soldiers, Family Members, and Veterans with employment services. Learn more at https://www.usar.army.mil/P3/.
- Military Leaders Guide to TAP_March 2025_FINAL: An important document for Soldiers to read and have with them as they prepare for transition. Download from the Army TAPS webpage at https://www.armytap.army.mil.
- MYT_Timeline 2025: This document is titled Managing Your Transition Timeline (MYTT). It lays out what the transitioning Soldier needs to do, starting 24 months before separation and after discharge. Download from the Army TAPS webpage at https://www.armytap.army.mil.
- A365 Access for Non-Army.mil Users: A secure site.
Navy
U.S. Navy TAP information is available on the webpage https://bit.ly/4bhEJvg. Navy TAP provides separating/retiring service members and their families with the skills, tools, and self-confidence needed to successfully re-enter the civilian workforce and pursue higher education or technical training.
Navy TAP Key Program (Five) Components include:
1. Mandatory Initial Counseling (IC)/self-assessment to be completed 365 days or more prior to release from active duty.
2. Mandatory Pre-Separation counseling at least 365 days or more prior to release from active duty. Updated Pre-Separation Guides and Presentation are available under Transition Tools.
3. Mandatory TAP Core Curriculum completion:
- Attendance at DoD Transition Day (My Transition, Military Occupation Code crosswalk, and Fi nancial planning).
- Veterans Administration Benefits and Service brief.
- Department of Labor (DoL) One-day Employment Workshop.
4. Selection of Two-Day Track: Sailors assigned Tier I and II may be waived from participating. Tier III assigned personnel must select at least one track.
- Employment Track: Employment Workshop.
- Education Track: Managing Your (my) Education.
- Vocational Track: Career and Credential Exploration.
- Entrepreneurship Track: Boots to Business.
5. Mandatory CAPSTONE event completion, which must be completed no later than 90 days prior to separation, to verify you have met CRS and received the transition services requested.
The Navy TAP website includes: General information in three webpages: 1) Navy Military Life (Oct. 10,2023), 2) Plain Talk for Sailors (TAP), and 3) TAP FAQs (Dec. 29, 2022) at https://bit.ly/40mZVuV). This author could not open the Navy Military Life or Plain Talk for Sailors links.
CAPSTONE information is found at https://bit.ly/410JTqJ. Capstone is a mandatory component of the TAP process. During the Capstone process, a commander, or a commander’s designee, verifies that the transitioning Service member has met the TAP Career Readiness Standards, has a viable Individual Transition Plan (ITP), and is prepared to transition to civilian life.
Continued next week.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, a combat and 100% service-connected disabled veteran, an ex-Enlisted Infantryman, an ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and a retired Lt. Colonel. He is a former Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA and Durham VA Medical Centers, a Fisher House Charleston Goodwill Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for his local AUSA Chapter, MOPH Chapter, and VFW Post 7383. Larry is also the author of the award-winning Blades of Thunder (Book One) and a contributing freelance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164