Transition Assistance Program: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:51, 14 December 2016

Revision as of 06:37, 15 December 2016

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The '''Transition Assistance Program''' (TAP) is a [[U.S. Department of Defense]]-led program that provides Service members with preparation and resources for their civilian life after they separate from the military. TAP is an interagency program between the Department of Defense (DoD), [[U.S. Department of Labor]], [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|Department of Veterans Affairs]], [[Small Business Administration]], [[U.S. Department of Education]], and [[Office of Personnel Management]]. <ref>https://dodtap.mil/partners.html</ref> Service member participation in TAP is mandatory.

The program offers curricula for Service members through classroom training as well as online through the Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) portal for geographically separated Service members, short-notice separatees, spouses, or as a refresher for veterans.<ref name="JKO">{{cite web|url=http://jko.jten.mil|title=JKO|work=jko.jten.mil}}</ref> The curriculum is standardized by the DoD and administered individually by each Service. It is reviewed annually based on participant and other SME feedback. TAP courses have been executed at over 200 military installations.

==History==

In 1990, as the U.S. military's post-[[Cold War]] drawdown was beginning, the [[United States Congress]] authorized through HR4739 (101st Congress) ,<ref>https://www.congress.gov/bill/101st-congress/house-bill/4739</ref>, which became PL 101-510 ,<ref>https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-104/pdf/STATUTE-104-Pg1485.pdf</ref>, 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 [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|Department of Veterans Affairs]] to design a "reverse boot camp" to improve the transition from military to civilian life.<ref name="Obama Announcement">{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/08/05/fact-sheet-president-obama-s-commitment-employing-america-s-veterans|title=Obama Announcement|work=whitehouse.gov}}</ref> On November 21, 2011, President Barack Obama signed the "Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act" which brought major changes to the Transition Assistance Program. The VOW Act recently celebrated its 5th anniversary. <ref>http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/2016/11/5-years-on-obama-admin-highlights-improvements-to-tap/</ref>

The redesign to the program was authorized in PL 112-56 <ref>https://www.congress.gov/112/plaws/publ56/PLAW-112publ56.pdf</ref> 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, completion of [[Transition Assistance Program#Career Readiness Standards|Career Readiness Standards]], and the verification by a commander of a Service member’s career readiness. <ref>http://www.scpr.org/news/2016/10/18/65647/pentagon-strengthens-transition-program-for-those/</ref> On average, 200,000 Service members separate from the military each year.<ref name="Military separations">{{cite web|url=http://www.gao.gov/assets/120/111859.pdf|title=Military Separations|work=gao.gov}}</ref>

==DoDI 1332.35==

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Service members complete their Career Readiness Standards (CRS) through attending TAP's core curriculum in a five-day classroom training. This core curriculum, called Transition GPS (Goals, Plans, Success),<ref name="Transition GPS Curriculum">{{cite web|url=https://www.dodtap.mil/core_curriculum.html/|title=Transition GPS Curriculum|work=dodtap.mil}}</ref> and includes courses such as the Military Occupational Code Crosswalk, Financial Planning for Transition, Resilient Transitions, VA Benefits Briefing, and the Department of Labor Workshop, among others.

Transitioning Service members may also opt to enroll in additional two-day courses. There are three of these Training Tracks: Accessing Higher Education, Career Technical Training and Entrepreneurship. <ref>https://dodtap.mil/tracks.html</ref> In the Accessing Higher Education Training Track, Service members will learn how to choose a college or university, how to submit an application, and the various ways to find financial aid. The Career Technical Training Track helps Service members select a technical training school, and connects them with the school or a counselor. The Entrepreneurship Training Track is the Small Business Administration's "Boots to Business" course, and helps Service members who are interested in starting their own business build a business plan.

The Military Life Cycle (MLC) Transition Model allows a Service member's transition to begin early in their military career through training and educational opportunities. <ref>https://dodtap.mil/mlc.html</ref>

==Career Readiness Standards==

Career Readiness Standards are a set of career preparation deliverables that Service members must complete to depart from active duty and be considered "career ready." <ref>http://www.workforce.com/2016/11/09/fighting-a-different-war/</ref> The standards provide Service members with a set of tools and resources to ensure they have the training needed to transition successfully into civilian life. Examples of these deliverables include: completing an Individual Transition Plan (ITP), creating a 12 month post-separation budget, and registering with the VA [[eBenefits]] site. All CRS are verified by a Service member's Commander, <ref>https://dodtap.mil/career_readiness_standards.html</ref> prior to transition. If a Service member doesn't meet their CRS, there is a warm handover to an interagency partner for additional assistance. These are essential to ensuring all Service members are career ready.

==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. <ref>https://dodtap.mil/forms.html</ref>

==References==