6,000-plus complete new TAP Published March 11, 2013 By Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- In the three months since Transition Assistance Program-attendance became mandatory, more than 6,000 Airmen attended the revamped course, which is earning kudos for content improvements. Originally established in the 1990s to support the large number of military members separating during the post-Desert Storm drawdown, TAP is a partnership between the Department of Defense, Department of Labor and Department of Veterans Affairs, said Peggy Rayfield, Air Force Personnel Center Airman and Family Support Branch. Except for a two-hour congressionally mandated pre-separation counseling portion that covered benefits, entitlements and services available to veterans, that three-day employment workshop was voluntary. The new program, implemented in November 2012, is a five-day mandatory course which includes greater depth in every area and new curriculum that covers financial management, transition planning and more. "The new program offers comprehensive information on veteran and retiree benefits, and requires each attendee to create an individual transition plan, resume' and budget, so when Airmen complete the course, they'll have tangible tools to help them in the days ahead," said Rayfield. Every base offers the same curriculum, including a transition overview day, three employment workshop days and a VA benefits day. In addition, three two-day specialized transition tracks are already available at many bases, including an education track, technical training track and entrepreneurial track. The Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Airman and Family Readiness Center piloted the Higher Education track in August and now six installations have implemented it, and all bases are on schedule to offer it by September. McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and Royal Air Force Station Mildenhall, United Kingdom, piloted the entrepreneurial track in November with all bases slated to offer it by the end of fiscal year 2013. JB-Charleston AFB, S.C., will pilot the technical track in April, and it too is set to be offered service-wide by the new fiscal year. "Response to the specialty tracks has been very positive," Rayfield said. "When Randolph hosted the education track in August, students learned everything they needed to know about seeking higher education - from submitting an application to campus life. It was very comprehensive." The education track covers identifying education goals, different types of education funding and how to apply for them, and how to research and compare educational institutions. "By the time they finish this track, Airmen will be ready to submit an application to a school, schedule an appointment with a counselor, and be ready to connect with a student veterans representative on the campus," Rayfield said. The technical track provides information to help Airmen pursue additional technical training. Counselors will help them select promising technical fields and schools, and will advise them on reputable programs, application processes and how to use certification and licensure-finders and other internet tools. "Like the education track, this is a comprehensive, step-by-step seminar and when Airmen complete it, they will have the information and completed documents they need to begin their program," Rayfield said. The entrepreneurial track is for members who want to pursue self-employment after separation or retirement. Instructors will guide them through the complexities of the commercial business sector and the steps necessary to establish a business, including developing a business plan. "After Airmen complete an optional eight-week online course, they will be connected with a small business owner who will mentor and guide them through the remaining requirements for starting a business," said Rayfield. Airmen interested in participating in the TAP more than once are welcome to do so, and may even sign up for more than one specialty track. Retirees are eligible to attend TAP as early as two years before their retirement date, and separating Airmen can attend up to a year before their separation date. "Although there are currently no restrictions on how many times a member attends TAP, as program attendance increases that may change. Each base manages its own scheduling process, so you should contact the base Airman and Family Readiness Center for a list of scheduled courses and information," Rayfield advised. For more information about the Transition Assistance Program, go to myPers at https://mypers.af.mil, or contact your local Airman and Family Readiness Center.