Air Force implements new program for retiring service members

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Jensen Stidham | Transition GPS, formerly known as TAP, is a new, five part program to assist newly retired and retiring U.S. service members transition into a civilian lifestyle. The program is a result of the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act, passed by President Barack Obama in 2011, to ensure separating military members receive proper education before transitioning to civilian life. (U.S. Air Force illustration by Airman 1st Class Jensen Stidham/Released)  

SUMTER, SC, UNITED STATES

08.13.2013

Story by Airman 1st Class Jensen Stidham  

20th Fighter Wing

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Switching from military life to civilian life can be an overwhelming change. The mandated Transition GPS program, provided at the Airman & Family Readiness Center, helps service members prepare for their life after the military.

President Barack Obama passed the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act in 2011, which mandates all separating service members attend the program.

There has always been a mandated TAP class but, with the new program, retiring military members will have more education and assistance in their transition.

The four-day class is designed to give retirees information on everything from resiliency to employment.

“Participants really benefit from coming, instead of it being just another bunch of briefings, like the old program, “said retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. Tim Dulling, an A&FRC receptionist, who attended the old transition program in 2009.

“The purpose of the program is to give service members the tools they will need for a successful transition into a civilian life,” said Jonnette Dreher, A&FRC community readiness specialist.

Five new components make up the program, to include:
-Pre-Separation Assessment and Individual Counseling which gives separating members one-on-one assessments based on their needs and goals.
-A five day core curriculum with a financial planning seminar. Also, workshop offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs on available veterans’ benefits and services. And a redesigned employment workshop offered by the Department of Labor.
-A two day optional career-specific curriculum for those interested in education, technical skill and entrepreneurship.
- CAPSTONE event which will verify that transitioning service members completed the Transition GPS curriculum and achieved career readiness standards.
- A military life cycle transition which is a model that incorporates career readiness and transition preparation into their entire span of their career.

“It’s set up to get retirees to think of every aspect of their transition,” said Dreher. “You see the participants go from a lethargic mindset to the light going off in their heads. They start to think about all the stuff they hadn’t thought of before.”

“This program is definitely a good thing,” added Dulling.

Transition GPS will be implemented throughout the Armed Forces by the end of 2013.

To find out when the next set of classes start, call the A&FRC at 803-895-1252

• Date Taken: 08.13.2013
• Date Posted: 08.13.2013 16:45
• Story ID: 111905
• Location: SUMTER, SC, US