Soldier for Life: Not just for transitioning Soldiers

Courtesy Photo | Soldier for Life-Transition Assistance Program replaced the Army Career and Alumni Program. (Official U.S. Army graphic)  

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, VA, UNITED STATES

09.10.2014

Story by Jim Dresbach 

Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - The Army’s major transition program has changed its name, but the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall transition manager vows services aimed toward Soldiers and their family members will remain at the highest levels.

This summer, the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) name and brand was changed to Soldier for Life – Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP). Despite the new name, the program is open to all service members and their families, not just Soldiers.

That means Marines from the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base are eligible to use SFL-TAP, too.

“All the services, seminars and workshops - and the quality service – will remain the same,” SFL-TAP Transition Services Manager Juan Carlos Rodriguez said. “Our location is still the same (Building 404 on McNair Road) and we should have all our signage changed by the end of the year.”

Moreover, services and programs within the SFL-TAP are even open to certain Department of the Defense employees, according to Rodriguez. DOD federal civilian employees who are in a reduction in force status are authorized to use SLF-TAP services, said Rodriguez.

According to Rodriguez, the name change was facilitated by the Department of the Army’s commitment to stand side-by-side with transitioning Soldiers through their entire cycle of life – not just through their Army careers.

“The Army wants to assist Soldiers throughout their lives,” Rodriguez added.

The Army has renovated how it is transitioning Soldiers from active duty by better preparing and connecting them to substantial employment and strong educational opportunities.

Emphasis is also being placed on who the assistance will aid. Not only will Soldiers transitioning out of the service receive seminars and workshops on finding and applying for federal jobs or technical training, transitioning Soldiers' family members can also learn about the significance of credit scores, how to stay debt free and the ins and outs of home buying.

The next seminar and workshops available through SFL-TAP will be Retiring TAP on Sept. 15-19 starting at 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.; the entrepreneur track “Boots to Business” workshop to be held Sept. 23-24 starting at 8:30 a.m. each day and an afternoon smart investment seminar on Sept. 25 from 1-3 p.m.

SFL-TAP is responsible for giving Soldiers the resources through counseling, employment and education workshops and seminars to achieve Veterans Opportunity to Work Act (VOW) requirements and Career Readiness Standards.

All Soldiers completing 180 days of continuous active duty service are required to meet the VOW/CRS requirements.

For more information in regard to workshop and seminar schedules and VOW/CRS requirements, call 703-696-0973 or email [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 09.10.2014
• Date Posted: 09.10.2014 13:58
• Story ID: 141676
• Location: JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, VA, US