Transition Assistance Program

STEP 1: Individualized Counseling

Must be completed no later than 365 days prior to separation or retirement.

This is the official start to the TAP process, where a personal self-assessment is completed to identify post-transition goals, an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) is started, and the service member is assigned a tier level. This must be completed no later than 365 days before separation or retirement.

See “TAP Tiers” on the right.

STEP 2: Pre-Separation Counseling

Must be completed no later than 365 days prior to separation or retirement.

Following the IC, this briefing provides a high-level overview of available benefits, entitlements, and resources to help the service member develop their ITP. Caregivers and spouses are encouraged to attend this pre-separation briefing.

STEP 3: TAP Workshops

The TAP Core Curriculum: All service members must complete the foundational three-day workshop, which includes:

DoD Transition Day: The DoD Transition Day is a  mandatory eight-hour curriculum that includes the following modules:

Manage Your (MY) Transition – The “Manage Your Transition” workshop is a targeted program within the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) that equips military service members with practical skills for a successful shift to civilian life. Through interactive sessions and expert guidance, participants gain insights into resume building, job searching, and effective communication, empowering them to navigate the complexities of the civilian job market with confidence.

Military Occupational Codes (MOC) Crosswalk – The Military Occupational Codes Crosswalk workshop is a specialized component of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) that helps service members translate their military skills and experiences into civilian terms. Through this workshop, participants learn to identify transferable skills, align their military occupations with civilian career paths, and enhance their marketability in the civilian job market.

Financial Planning for Transition – The Financial Planning for Transition workshop, part of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), provides service members with crucial insights into managing their finances as they shift from military to civilian life. Participants gain practical knowledge on budgeting, savings, investments, and navigating benefits, empowering them to make informed financial decisions during and after their transition.

VA Benefits and Services Briefing: A one-day interactive briefing designed to enable transitioning Service Members (TSMs) to make informed decisions regarding the use of VA benefits. All members must also create an account on VA.gov and obtain a DS Logon.

DOL Employment Fundamentals of Career Transition (EFCT) Workshop: Focuses on job search skills, resume writing, networking, and labor market research. It a key component of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), aimed at preparing military service members for successful civilian employment. This course covers essential employment skills, including resume writing, job search strategies, and interview techniques. Through practical guidance and interactive sessions, participants gain valuable insights to confidently navigate the job market and secure fulfilling employment opportunities in their transition to civilian life.

2-Day Service Member Elected Tracks: Transitioning Service Members elect a 2-day track based on their post-service goals:

Dept. of Defense Education Track

Dept. of Labor Employment Track

Dept. of Labor Vocational Track

Small Business Administration Entrepreneurship Track

STEP 4: Continuum of Military Service Opportunity Counseling (Active Component only)

Service members on active duty must receive counseling to evaluate the option of continuing military service through reserve opportunities.

STEP 5: Capstone Appointment

Must be completed no later than 90 days prior to separation or retirement.

This is the culminating event in the TAP process, where a commander or designee verifies that the service member has met all CRS and has a viable ITP. This must be completed no later than 90 days before separation or retirement. If a service member does not meet the standards, a “warm handover” to partner agencies (e.g., VA, DOL) ensures they receive further assistance. 

Meeting Career Readiness Standards (CRS): All service members must achieve specific, measurable deliverables to be considered “career ready”. These standards include having a verified post-separation financial plan and completing a MOC Gap Analysis (or verifying employment/school admission).