Federal law requires all separating and retiring service members and their families to have access to transition assistance services to help them to smoothly transition from military to civilian life. TAP provides a variety of transition services including counseling, information on education options, computerized job banks, resume writing assistance, and help with the employment interviewing process. All transition services are made available to military spouses and family members, without restriction.

Congress has mandated that service members obtain individual preseparation counseling and attend TAP workshops. These workshops are led by professionally-trained facilitators from DoD, the Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

For service members who may be released because of a disability or who believe they have a disability qualifying them for vocational rehabilitation and employment-related services, the Disabled Transitional Assistance Program (DTAP) provides additional transition assistance. DTAP presentations focus on individual vocational rehabilitation information and employment assistance.

Federal law requires all separating and retiring service members and their families to have access to transition assistance services to help them to smoothly transition from military to civilian life. TAP provides a variety of transition services including counseling, information on education options, computerized job banks, resume writing assistance, and help with the employment interviewing process. All transition services are made available to military spouses and family members, without restriction.

Congress has mandated that service members obtain individual preseparation counseling and attend TAP workshops. These workshops are led by professionally-trained facilitators from DoD, the Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

For service members who may be released because of a disability or who believe they have a disability qualifying them for vocational rehabilitation and employment-related services, the Disabled Transitional Assistance Program (DTAP) provides additional transition assistance. DTAP presentations focus on individual vocational rehabilitation information and employment assistance.

Separating or retiring from the military is more than a job change. It is a significant change of lifestyle, not just for the service member, but for the entire family. The key to a successful transition is planning. TAP was created to help service members and their families make educated decisions regarding transition. Preseparation counseling, the creation of an Individual Transition Plan (ITP), and participation in TAP workshops can help ease the transition process. Spouses are strongly encouraged to attend TAP workshops and utilize available services related to employment, relocation, and education. Counseling to address transition-related feelings of ambivalence or stress is also available through the Family Support/Service Centers.

Separating or retiring from the military is more than a job change. It is a significant change of lifestyle, not just for the service member, but for the entire family. The key to a successful transition is planning. TAP was created to help service members and their families make educated decisions regarding transition. Preseparation counseling, the creation of an Individual Transition Plan (ITP), and participation in TAP workshops can help ease the transition process. Spouses are strongly encouraged to attend TAP workshops and utilize available services related to employment, relocation, and education. Counseling to address transition-related feelings of ambivalence or stress is also available through the Family Support/Service Centers.

Transition services are available to all service members (and their family members) who are within twelve months of separation or within twenty-four months of retirement. Eligibility for transition services is not affected by length or character of service. On a space-available basis, separated service members can attend workshops up to 180 days after their date of separation. Ideally, service members attend the TAP workshop no later than six to nine months prior to completion of their military obligation.

The Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) website provides a recommended Preseparation Timeline that is helpful regardless of Service affiliation.

Transition services are available to all service members (and their family members) who are within twelve months of separation or within twenty-four months of retirement. Eligibility for transition services is not affected by length or character of service. On a space-available basis, separated service members can attend workshops up to 180 days after their date of separation. Ideally, service members attend the TAP workshop no later than six to nine months prior to completion of their military obligation.

The Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) website provides a recommended Preseparation Timeline that is helpful regardless of Service affiliation.

On Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps installations, transition services are typically provided through the Family Support/Service Center. On Army installations, services are provided at Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) Centers.

If there are no transition services available locally, the Internet provides access to a variety of services and resources. The family support website for each service branch has information and links related to transition. Military OneSource, the information and referral service provided at no cost to military members and their families, also has transition information including articles, resources, and web links.

On Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps installations, transition services are typically provided through the Family Support/Service Center. On Army installations, services are provided at Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) Centers.

If there are no transition services available locally, the Internet provides access to a variety of services and resources. The family support website for each service branch has information and links related to transition. Military OneSource, the information and referral service provided at no cost to military members and their families, also has transition information including articles, resources, and web links.

It is the responsibility of command leadership to ensure that service members have full access to transition services. Leadership should identify members who are eligible to retire or separate and see that they sign up for required counseling and workshops. Commands should also designate a command transition representative. His/her responsibilities include monitoring separation/retirement dates and status of personnel, and referring members for preseparation counseling and transition services.

It is the responsibility of command leadership to ensure that service members have full access to transition services. Leadership should identify members who are eligible to retire or separate and see that they sign up for required counseling and workshops. Commands should also designate a command transition representative. His/her responsibilities include monitoring separation/retirement dates and status of personnel, and referring members for preseparation counseling and transition services.

The acronyms TAP and TAMP can be confusing. TAMP is the acronym for Transition Assistance Management Program or Transitional Assistance Management Program. The term is used by the Navy, the Marine Corps, and TRICARE. For the Navy and Marine Corps, TAMP encompasses all of the transition services and TAP refers to the seminars designed to address social, financial, and professional issues associated with transition. TRICARE TAMP offers transitional TRICARE coverage for 180 days after separation.

The acronyms TAP and TAMP can be confusing. TAMP is the acronym for Transition Assistance Management Program or Transitional Assistance Management Program. The term is used by the Navy, the Marine Corps, and TRICARE. For the Navy and Marine Corps, TAMP encompasses all of the transition services and TAP refers to the seminars designed to address social, financial, and professional issues associated with transition. TRICARE TAMP offers transitional TRICARE coverage for 180 days after separation.

TurboTAP is DoD's official transition website. TurboTAP is an easy to use, interactive web portal that provides life-long support to separating service members (active duty, Guard, and Reserve) and their families. It is a single source starting point for accessing key resources available for service members transitioning out of the military at any point in their military career. 

TurboTAP is available for life. Service members are encouraged to establish a TurboTAP account, which gives them access to the online TurboTAP Individual Transition Planning Tool and provides them with email alerts when benefits and support services change. Main TurboTAP features include:

• a multimedia tutorial explaining how to use TurboTAP
• downloadable Preseparation and Transition Guides, helpful checklists, and access to in-person assistance
• an Employment Hub with links to job boards, a résumé tool, and job search assistance
• a VA Benefits Hub with a full range of benefits information, including a focus on health issues
• a TurboTAP Account for transition planning and benefit alerts

TurboTAP is DoD's official transition website. TurboTAP is an easy to use, interactive web portal that provides life-long support to separating service members (active duty, Guard, and Reserve) and their families. It is a single source starting point for accessing key resources available for service members transitioning out of the military at any point in their military career. 

TurboTAP is available for life. Service members are encouraged to establish a TurboTAP account, which gives them access to the online TurboTAP Individual Transition Planning Tool and provides them with email alerts when benefits and support services change. Main TurboTAP features include:

• a multimedia tutorial explaining how to use TurboTAP
• downloadable Preseparation and Transition Guides, helpful checklists, and access to in-person assistance
• an Employment Hub with links to job boards, a résumé tool, and job search assistance
• a VA Benefits Hub with a full range of benefits information, including a focus on health issues
• a TurboTAP Account for transition planning and benefit alerts