In 1990, as the U.S. military's post-[[Cold War]] drawdown was beginning, the [[United States Congress]] authorized through {{USBill|112|H|HR4739 (101st Congress) <ref>https://www.congress.gov/bill/101st-congress/house-bill/4739}}</ref>, which became PL 101-510<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/L?d101:./list/bd/d101pl.lst:510(Public_Laws)|title=Public Law 101-510|work=thomas.loc.gov}}</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 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. 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>
