Why Transition from Active Duty and SFL-TAP Shouldn't be a "Check in the Box"

Photo By Staff Sgt. Cory Grogan | Employers and employees interact during a large career fair for veterans, Nov. 13, at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum Hiring Our Heroes event. (Oregon Military Department Photo by Sgt. Cory Grogan)  

FORT KNOX, KY, UNITED STATES

04.23.2017

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Human Resources Command

– Jenny Hale

Transitioning from active duty service can bring several types of Soldiers into a Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance Program Center.

Some Soldiers are lukewarm on the idea of transitioning, but will listen to the briefings. They may decide not to take full advantage of the information provided. They may prepare some for their transition, but may also find themselves regretting not paying closer attention to the classes once they leave active duty service and are faced with the reality of transition.

Other transitioning Soldiers find the transition process to be stressful and overwhelming. They are nervous about what might happen next and are diligent in learning everything they can to prepare for the next phase of their life. Other times, they are confident in learning more, attend all the necessary courses (and go multiple times!), spend ample time networking, and work to learn all they can about the civilian job market.

However, some transitioning Soldiers feel like they already know the information being given in a transition briefing. They can become overconfident in their abilities, feel like transitioning will be easy, and do not try to find value in their daily transition classes. These Soldiers are most likely the ones who "check the box" for transition.

Do any of these transitioning Soldier personas sound familiar?

SFL-TAP is mandated by the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act and Department of Defense Career Readiness Standards. As a result, some transitioning Soldiers see the program as a requirement on a long list of things they need to complete in order to leave the Army or leave active duty.

SFL-TAP is much more than an Army requirement. The program teaches transitioning Soldiers and their Family members how to be financially ready for civilian life, how to write resumes, information on Veterans’ Affairs benefits, access to career skills training, information on employee hiring events, and much more.

When surveyed or asked on social media, many recently transitioned Veterans said that they wished they had spent more time preparing for civilian life. They mention a lack of time spent understanding the importance of networking, not understanding how long it would take to find a position or regretting not securing one before they left active duty, and wishing they had paid closer attention during SFL-TAP courses.

“[Transition] was just a check mark clearing post back then. I should have tried harder…The services are put in place to help, but I blew them off as something I had to do. Really wished I could’ve taken advantage of that resource,” a Facebook commenter on the SFL-TAP headquarters’ page said when asked what they would do differently if they could transition from active duty over again.

SFL-TAP (formerly the Army Career Alumni Program or ACAP) has completely redesigned their course and educational resources over the past few years. Army Commanders and leaders encourage transitioning Soldiers to attend the program 18 months prior to transition or 24 months prior for retirees.

A recent study by the Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes showed that Service members are twice as likely to find employment before leaving active duty if they start preparing for transition early by job searching at least six months prior to transition. This means that Soldiers need to be networking, compiling their resumes, and learning about transition well before this timeframe.

Starting transition early and taking the time to prepare tends to leave transitioning Soldiers in a better position when they separate. Those who take SFL-TAP opportunities seriously, spend time networking a year or more out, attend hiring events and networking events, master the art of resume writing, and financially prepare themselves for the next phase of their life are more successful at finding and securing employment.

While SFL-TAP may be required, it is a program meant to give transitioning Soldiers time to invest in their future. The Army’s goal is to help every transitioning Soldier be successful through tools and skills to find civilian employment, apply to higher education opportunities, prepare to become an entrepreneur, and find other civilian opportunities. To learn more about SFL-TAP, visit www.sfl-tap.army.mil or contact a local SFL-TAP Center.

• Date Taken: 04.23.2017
• Date Posted: 05.04.2017 15:51
• Story ID: 231253
• Location: FORT KNOX, KY, US