🎯 Transition Assistance Program (TAP) FAQ

Start early! The ideal timeframe is 18–24 months prior to your separation or retirement date. At a minimum, you must begin no later than 365 days out. The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to explore resources, attend workshops, and build a strong post-military plan.

TAP includes five core components:

1. Initial Counseling (IC)
2. Pre-Separation Counseling (PreSep)
3. DoD Transition Day (includes MyTransition, Financial Planning, and the MOC Crosswalk)
4. VA Benefits & Services Briefing 
5. Department of Labor Employment Fundamentals of Career Transition (EFCT)
   One or more 2-Day Tracks based on your goals (Employment, Education, Entrepreneurship, or Vocational)
6. Capstone Appointment

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is a federally required process that helps you plan for civilian life after military service. On average, the TAP core curriculum takes 5–7 business days to complete. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

1. 🧑‍💼 Initial Counseling (IC) – One-on-one meeting (typically 1 hour) to create your Individual Transition Plan (ITP)
2. 🧾 Pre-Separation Counseling – Overview of your benefits, rights, and key resources – 3 hours
3. 🧠 DoD Transition Day, which includes:
   • My Transition Overview
   • 💵 Financial Planning
   • 🔧 MOC Crosswalk (translating military skills to civilian terms)
4. 🇺🇸 VA Benefits & Services Brief
5. 💼 DOL Employment Fundamentals of Career Transition (EFCT)
6. 🛠️ Choose at least one 2-Day Track:
   • 💼 Employment Track (DOLEW)
   • 🎓 Education Track
   • 🧰 Vocational Training Track
   • 💡 Entrepreneurship Track (Boots to Business)

Start as early as 18–24 months out from separation or retirement for maximum flexibility and access to resources!

The core TAP curriculum is standardized DoD-wide, but each branch has slight variations in tracking, documentation, or command-level processes.
Regardless of your service (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard), we’ll walk you through what applies to your specific branch and situation.

Start by contacting the Military & Family Readiness Center at (843) 963-8883. You’ll be guided through the first steps:

1. Complete the Self-Assessment and Statement of Understanding (SOU)
2. Schedule your Initial Counseling (IC) with a TAP counselor
   This one-on-one session maps out your TAP timeline and requirements. Start early—ideally 18–24 months prior to your separation or retirement.

The first step is to complete and return the Statement of Understanding (SOU). 

Next, please contact your Command Career Counselor (CCC) to complete your Self Assessment and Initial Counseling. Once these steps are complete, your CCC will coordinate with the MFRC to schedule your mandatory TAP workshops.

If you’re stationed in or around the Charleston area, please contact the D7 Transition, Relocation & Spouse Employment Assistance Program Coordinator (TRSEAPC) to begin the TAP process.

📞 Tracey Arrington
📱 (206) 820-2714
📧 Tracey.L.Arrington@uscg.mil

She will guide you through the proper steps based on Coast Guard protocols and ensure you receive the support you need.

Yes! If you’re assigned to a Geographically Separated Unit (GSU) and located near Joint Base Charleston, you are welcome to complete your TAP requirements through our Military & Family Readiness Center.
We proudly serve all branches, including Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, and GSUs. Just call us at (843) 963-8883 and we’ll help create a TAP plan that fits your unique situation.

Yes, if you’re transitioning from active-duty orders over 180 days, you are TAP-eligible and TAP-required.
Our team will tailor your TAP plan to reflect your service type and transition goals.

Yes. All members must begin TAP (Initial Counseling + Pre-Separation Counseling) by the 365-day mark before their current separation date, even if they intend to extend or reenlist.
If you do reenlist or extend, you may pause TAP. But until your reenlistment is official, TAP participation is required.

During your Initial Counseling, your TAP Counselor will determine your TIER level (1, 2, or 3) based on your goals, risk of unemployment, and readiness.

• Tier 1: Minimal support needed
• Tier 2: Moderate support
• Tier 3: Highest level of support; requires Career Track attendance

Tiers help personalize your transition experience and determine which 2-Day Track(s) you’re required to complete.

No. The TAP process must begin with your Initial Counseling, where your Individual Transition Plan (ITP) and Tier level are established. This ensures your TAP experience is tailored to your unique needs. Once IC is complete, you’ll be cleared to register for the Pre-Separation workshop.

Yes! TAP is a congressionally mandated program. Every separating or retiring service member must complete specific portions of the TAP curriculum (Initial Counseling, Pre-Separation Counseling, Core Curriculum, and at least one 2-Day Track). Commands are required to release you during duty hours for attendance.

Yes. TAP workshops and briefings are congressionally mandated, and per DoDI 1332.35, service members must be released from duty during working hours to attend all required components of TAP.

⏳ Additionally, members are to be exempt from normal duty for the full 24-hour period of each workshop day—and also the 12 hours immediately before and after each day of instruction.

💬 We recommend speaking with your supervisor early to deconflict your schedule and contacting our office at (843) 963-8883 if any issues arise. We’re here to help ensure you get the support you’re entitled to.

By federal law, all service members must begin TAP no later than 365 days before their separation or retirement.
TAP is congressionally mandated, and your command is required to release you from duty to attend. (Ref: DoDI 1332.35 / Service-specific TAP guidance)
Talk with your supervisor and contact us—we’re happy to help coordinate a timeline that works.

Yes, you can! In fact, some tracks are offered quarterly and may fill up quickly—so speak with your TAP counselor to schedule in the order that works best for you and your career goals.

In-person/classroom TAP is the preferred and most effective method.
Online TAP (via Joint Knowledge Online or DOL eTAP) is only approved for:

• Extenuating circumstances (medical, family hardship, deployment)
• Short-notice separations (90 days or fewer)
  Discuss eligibility with your TAP or Command Career counselor during Initial Counseling.

We understand that sharing financial information can feel personal. However, completing a budget is a required part of TAP and is one of the Career Readiness Standards (CRS) mandated by the Department of Defense.

📊 The budget is not about judging your finances—it’s a tool to help you understand your financial landscape post-military. It allows your TAP Counselor to provide resources, referrals, or guidance tailored to your goals. All information is kept confidential and used strictly to support your transition planning.

✅ You do not need to share account numbers or upload financial documents—just a realistic snapshot of your income and expenses.

Capstone is the final step of the TAP process. During this one-on-one appointment, a TAP Counselor will review your Individual Transition Plan (ITP) and ensure you’ve met all required Career Readiness Standards (CRS).

📌 You must complete the following before scheduling Capstone:

• Initial Counseling
• Pre-Separation Counseling
• DoD Transition Day
• VA Brief
• DOL EFCT
• At least one 2-Day Track

Capstone confirms that you are prepared for your transition out of the military—and helps identify any additional support you may need before separation.

You can schedule your Capstone appointment after completing:

• Initial Counseling
• Pre-Separation Counseling
• DoD Transition Day
• VA Brief
• DOL EFCT
• One 2-Day Track

Once these are complete, you’re ready for Capstone—ideally no later than 90 days before your separation or retirement.

Call us at (843) 963-8883 to schedule directly. A TAP Counselor will review your ITP and verify that you’ve met all Career Readiness Standards.

Call us at (843) 963-8883 or email 628fss.fsh.tap@us.af.mil.
We’re here to support every service member—regardless of branch—through their transition journey.