Courtesy Photo | To learn more about SFL-TAP and to find a location, visit www.sfl-tap.army.mil. ...... read more read more
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The Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP) is an advocate for re-enlistment. In fact, 46% of Soldiers that started SFL-TAP stayed in uniform, either through demobilization, re-enlistment, or by transitioning to the Army National Guard and Army Reserves, in fiscal year 2016.
As a Soldier in the transition window and still undecided on future plans, attending SFL-TAP is vital for discovering career options, including staying in the Army.
Eventually every Soldier will transition from active duty. Whether transition occurs after 30 years of service, four, or at the end of a one-year mobilization, the transition process will happen at some point. Sometimes, transition presents itself as a choice, and other times, it comes unexpectedly. As a result, it's important to understand all options and be prepared.
By attending SFL-TAP early and often, the knowledge received will assist the Soldier. SFL-TAP can be the nudge needed to make a decision on future plans.
Ella Freeman, the Transition Services Manager at Fort Gordon’s SFL-TAP Center, explained that if a Soldier is not sure of what it is that they want to do, including considering staying on active duty, SFL-TAP can assist them with understanding their options.
“[Maybe you’re thinking] ‘Well, maybe I’m not quite ready yet to transition. I need a little bit more time to prepare myself and then later, go through the process’,” she said, explaining a Soldier’s potential thought process. “So we can be an advocate for the retention side of the house as well.”
By attending the program, Soldiers within the transition window may learn that they are not prepared to leave Army active duty and need more time to gather education, experience, or preparation first.
Below are three reasons to attend SFL-TAP, even if a Soldier is undecided about transitioning.
1. Write a resume that tracks prior work experience
SFL-TAP offers resume services for transitioning Soldiers. Even if a Soldier plans on staying on active duty, building a resume in advance and updating it as new experience is gained allows the Soldier to track their job experience. As Soldiers begin to speak with civilian companies throughout their military career, many professionals will ask for a resume as a summary of a person's background. The resume is always important to have on hand and current in case someone requests a copy.
2. Understand the preparation needed to transition in the future
Effective transition takes time. By attending SFL-TAP, Soldiers can learn the amount of information required to properly prepare for transition. This includes writing a resume, applying to jobs, preparing for potential relocation, applying for medical and other veteran benefits, and networking.
These skills and preparation do not take a week to accomplish, but months of dedicated time and effort in order to find the most transition success. In fact, 72% of Army veterans report that taking a cut in pay when entering the civilian workforce was challenging and 45% of Army veterans report making $40,000 or less immediately after transition, according to data obtained from the SFL-TAP Post-Transition Questionnaire from June 2016 to July 2017.
Soldiers may see the value in taking more time to better prepare for their future and choose to re-enlist.
3. Understand any gaps in experience and have time to address them.
A transitioning Soldier attending SFL-TAP may learn that they need more experience and skills before they can find success after transition. This could include additional education, learning a trade or skill, getting a certification, or the need to gain more experiences in the Army, such as leadership roles. All of these factors may lead Soldiers to re-think transition and consider other opportunities in the Army.
If a Soldier is 18 months from transition or 24 months from retirement, Commanders will encourage Soldiers to attend SFL-TAP to learn and receive education on all their options. SFL-TAP Centers can help focus a transitioning Soldier's goals and provide them the reality and facts of civilian life.
To learn more about SFL-TAP, visit www.sfl-tap.army.mil and contact a local installation center. SFL-TAP can also be found on Facebook (@ArmySFLTAP), Twitter (@SFLTAP), LinkedIn (Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance Program Connection Group), and YouTube (SFL-TAP Television).
| Date Taken: | 11.06.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.06.2017 09:40 |
| Story ID: | 254243 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 432 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Why Go to SFL-TAP if You Plan to Re-Enlist?, by Jenny Hale, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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