SO YOU SLEPT THROUGH YOUR TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM…NOW WHAT?
Nodded off during your Transition Assistance Program (TAP) class? Hey, we get it. It’s not exactly entertainment central. Regardless of your branch, going through TAP is all a part of the end where you leave behind your life of service and enter civilianhood just like everyone else. Here’s a recap of what you need to know because civilian life doesn’t come with a field manual.
Tips for TAP
TAP prepares you for the civilian world, but keeping up with the curriculum when you’d rather be literally anywhere else is a pain in the ass.
But there are important subjects covered to help make transitioning a lot easier, including building your resume and maximizing the VA benefits you gave up your knees, twenties, and thirties to earn.
Yeah, this ain’t everything, but it’s a good brief on the mission at hand. The goal is to prep you with career planning, education options, financial guidance, and info about healthcare and benefits.
Here are the highlights of TAP that every Veteran is going to want to remember:
Eliminating Military Speak
Getting the military speak out of your life is important, and we’re not just talking about the all the creative ways you’ve learned to swear.
Military jargon and the real world don’t mix. Blue or white collar, translating your military skills on a civilian level is going to be an important thing every Veteran needs to do.
Thankfully, places like Hiring Our Heroes and ResumeEngine.org are there to help you make sense of leading a platoon in the Middle East and how that would appeal to a hiring manager of a chemical plant.
At the end of the day, showing action, with words such as “led,” “organized,” and “trained” are going help you convey what you bring to the table.
Pro Tip: It’s annoying but effective. Make your resume work for each job you apply to.
Money Matters
Believe it or not, many Vets leave TAP without fully understanding the one thing that usually grabs everyone’s attention—money.
Your finances are going to change in many ways because the civilian world doesn’t offer housing allowances, BAS, or the same tax perks as the military does.
To prepare, there are great tools offered by sources like Military OneSource, offering free personal financial tools and services to help you budget.
You’re also going to want to be aware of how to locate your VA Regional Office to understand how your healthcare, education, disability, and other benefits work.
There’s a lot to go over with the VA, and it’s always changing. Reaching out isn’t just a great idea; it’s essential for navigating the mess.
Why Aren’t You Already Job Hunting?
Don’t wait until your terminal leave to dust off your LinkedIn. If you’re not already networking and applying, that needs to change immediately.
Sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and VetJobs can help you find trusted job postings from hiring companies near you.
Furthermore, don’t forget about SkillBridge to find internships during your last 180 days to gain skills for real-world jobs.
Mind Your Mind
No matter when you go or your feelings about it, transitioning into civilian life is a big deal.
The change can affect you mentally in unexpected ways, and it’s not a weakness to ask for help; it’s a proper way to adjust.
Both Military OneSource and the VA offer mental health services, with many of them free of charge.
It’s also a good idea to reach out to other Veterans to ask about their experiences and advice.
One thing that does translate well from the military into civilian life is that going in alone isn’t typically the best tactic.
Wake Up and Get the Most Out of Your Transition Assistance Program
Are they boring? Yes. Do you have better things to do? Debatable. But what’s for sure is that the Transition Assistance Program can help you push into the civilian world effectively. If you ever need a refresher, you can retake the TAP modules online as needed.
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