National Guard and Reserve Employment Checklist
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Review Your Reemployment Rights – The Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) provides members of the Guard and Reserve with certain employment
protections. Visit the USERRA website at
http://www.osc.gov/userra.htm to learn more.
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Find Out Your Skills and Career Interests – Contact your installation's Education
Center, Transition Assistance Office, or One-Stop Career Center to take a Vocational Skills and
Career Interest Inventory. This program can help you determine your career options. for assistance.
Visit
http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/ismart/MHF-MI/
for assistance in finding the office nearest you.
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Research the Job Market – Use the TurboTAP Employment Hub to research the job
market, develop a career plan, start a list of possible employers in your field, and learn more
about writing résumés. The Employment Hub can be found at:
http://www.transitionassistanceprogram.com/portal/transition/resources/Employment_Hub
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Get Your Official Military Education and Training Transcripts – Visit one of the
following websites to request your official transcript:
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Get a Copy of Your Verification of Military Experience and Training
Document – Your DD Form 2586, “Verification of Military Experience and Training”
documents your skills and knowledge for potential employers or school officials. See your
Transition Assistance Counselor or Education Office for assistance. Visit the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS
website:
http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/ismart/MHF-MI/
to locate the office nearest you.
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Begin Networking and go to Job Fairs – Contact friends in the private sector who
may help you find a job. Start networking. Visit
http://military.nationalcareerfairs.com/ to
find a career fair near you. Also, check out career fairs sponsored by our major military
medical treatment facilities and our civilian personnel offices. These websites may have
facility, office and schedule information: www.MilitaryInstallations.dod.mil,
www.MilitaryHOMEFRONT.dod.mil,
www.MilitaryOneSource.com or
www.TurboTAP.org .
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Create a Résumé – Complete the first draft of your résumé, and contact your local
Veterans' Outreach Program Specialists (DVOP) or Local Veterans' Employment Representatives (LVER)
at the One-Stop Career Center. Find your nearest One-Stop Career Center at
www.ServiceLocator.org. These centers can offer
you personalized assistance and help review your résumé.
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Determine Your Future Compensation Needs – If you have decided to leave the
military, visit the Navy's Pay and Compensation Calculator at
https://staynavytools.bol.navy.mil/PCC/Default.aspx?B3=Launch+Calculator.
Regardless of which military service you are separating from, the tools found at this website
can help you determine the civilian pay and compensation you will need to maintain your current
income level.
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Find Resources for Starting a Business - If you are considering self-employment,
begin researching economic data and business resources in your chosen new home community. See
chapter 4 of the Guard and Reserve Transition Guide for more information. The guide can be
downloaded from the TurboTAP website at:
http://www.turbotap.org.
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Check Out Your Federal Employment Options - Consider federal employment; explore
special federal programs and hiring opportunities for veterans. Visit the following sites to learn
more:
Note: This checklist is intended to be a quick reference for planning your employment. It is
for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for the DD 2648 or DD 2648-1.
Additionally, you need to check your eligibility for any benefit with the appropriate agency.