Three Steps to a Smooth Transition (Reserve Component)
Step 1. Transition Counseling Session
Your transition counseling appointment/session will take place during your
demobilization/deactivation out-processing at the installation or unit where that occurs.
The Transition Counselor or Command Career Counselor will:
- Inform you about developing and individual needs assessment
- The Transition Counselor will brief you on all of the items listed on the DD Form 2648-1
- Identify helpful relocation resources
- Inform you about Department of Labor Career One-Stop Centers
- Tell you on how to access the Department of Veterans Affairs system for assistance
- Refer you to the transition website at
http://www.TurboTAP.org
- Inform you about other service providers for any additional assistance you may require
- Advise you on how to get assistance from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
(ESGR)
Step 2. Review the Transition Counseling Checklist
When you have completed the checklist, review it for accuracy. Make sure you have checked
the “YES” block if you would like more information on a given topic. You can use this guide to
find the additional information you need.
Once home, sit down and review the checklist again, preferably with your spouse or a family
member. Many of topics have a website that can provide more information. If you require
assistance from a subject matter expert, you have the following options:
- Contact Military One Source at 1-800- 342-9647 or at
http://www.militaryonesource.com
- Log onto
http://www.TurboTAP.org and review the information in the
Transition Guide on the website based on the topic and question(s) you have.
- Contact the nearest military installation Transition Office or Command Career Counselor (Navy)
for assistance for up to 180 days after demobilization.
- For National Guard members contact your State Transition Assistance Advisor – located at the
State Joint Forces Headquarters.
Your Transition Counselor or Command Career Counselor (Navy) will walk you through the
Transition Counseling Checklist, which helps ensure that you will receive the necessary assistance
and advice to benefit fully from the wide range of services and entitlements available to
you. The DD Form 2648-1,
"Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Checklist for Deactivating/Demobilizing National Guard and
Reserve Service Members," is required by law to be filed in your official military personnel
record.
Step 3. Use your Transition Assistance Office or Command Career Counselor to Develop
an Individual Transition Plan
Information on developing your individual transition plan (ITP) is available through the
Transition Assistance Office. You may choose to use your Transition Counseling Checklist as a guide
for developing your own unique ITP. Once you have created your ITP, review it with your spouse
or another adult family member and get their feedback. It is recommended that you consult with
a VA counselor and a DOL Career One Stop staff member to review our ITP. They will provide you
further assistance or refer you to a subject matter expert to assist you. Full participation
in this process by you and your spouse or family member is encouraged.
Each transition has three key decision points which must be considered when creating your ITP.
As you proceed through the transition process it is important to consider the following major
decision points:
1.
Money Decisions – Deciding how to best manage your finances will help you deal
with changes in pay, compensation, and living expenses. This guide will give you information on
your financial benefits, life insurance, Thrift Savings Plan, and creating a household
budget.
2.
Benefit Decisions – Choosing which of the available benefits to apply for and
deciding when and where to start. This guide will help you explore your benefits like the GI
Bill, VA Home Loans, Health Care, and more.
3.
Job Decisions – Weighing your career options – choosing whether to pursue your
current career path or start over and go back to school. This guide has information to help
you learn about everything from writing resumes to exploring your employment opportunities to how
to start a small business.
Date Last Reviewed: September 22, 2011