Frequently Asked Questions addresses many of the issues that concern commanders
and other leaders.
1. Is ACAP mandatory?
ACAP is mandatory for all Soldiers who will have a minimum of 180 days of continuous
active duty at the time of their separation. These Soldiers must complete a Preseparation
Counseling Checklist (DD Form 2648/2648-1) and be afforded the opportunity to participate
in all of the services offered by ACAP, if the Soldier identifies a need for employment
assistance during preseparation counseling. Soldiers being processed for possible
medical separation also have to attend a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Employment
Workshop and participate in Veterans Administration briefings. Full participation
in ACAP has been shown to hold down unemployment compensation costs for the Army,
support retention, encourage joining the Army National Guard and Reserve and, by
enhancing the Army's image, act as a powerful recruiting force multiplier.
2. When can my Soldiers start ACAP?
Retirees have up to 2 years before retirement to use ACAP services, and non-retiring
Soldiers have up to 1 year before separation. With an early start, Soldiers can
take full advantage of all ACAP services without interfering with duty requirements.
3. Where can Soldiers receive ACAP services?
ACAP Centers are located on most major Army installations. Soldiers who are not
located near an ACAP Center can use the ACAP On-Line website at http://www.acap.army.mil.
4. Can Soldiers do everything on line?
Soldiers can register for and schedule services as well as receive required preseparation
counseling and complete DD Form 2648 or DD Form 2648-1online. ACAP On-Line makes
the process of getting services easier and provides access to the same job search
tools and resources used in the ACAP Center to write resumes and cover letters,
practice job interview skills and conduct online research.
5. What is the average length of time required for a Soldier to complete ACAP?
A typical Soldier will receive a preseparation briefing, employment workshop and
VA benefits briefing through a combination of online and classroom options. Additionally,
many Soldiers will work writing and revising resumes, searching for job opportunities,
preparing for job fairs and interviews and researching career fields. Obviously,
all this work can’t effectively be accomplished in a compressed timeframe. Consequently,
Soldiers often spread their ACAP related activities over a period of months. Finally,
Soldiers have to work their ACAP activities around duty requirements. That’s why
it is important to get your Soldiers started early.
6. Should I expect a transitioning Soldier to have multiple ACAP appointments?
Yes. Soldiers can require several appointments to complete their ACAP services.
7. How do I know my Soldiers are really doing something at ACAP?
The ACAP scheduling capability lets Soldiers print appointment slips. Therefore,
beginning with their first visit, they will be able to show you an appointment slip
for every service they schedule. If you ever want to check, you can always call
the ACAP Center to verify that your Soldier actually reported as scheduled.
8. How can I perform my mission if Soldiers are at ACAP?
The earlier a Soldier starts the ACAP process, the easier it is for them to schedule
ACAP services around mission requirements and use ACAP On-Line to receive services.
By allowing your Soldiers to begin their ACAP process early and spread their investment
of time over a longer period, their participation in ACAP services will have a minimal
impact on your mission.
9. Does ACAP train Soldiers in a new skill or career field?
No. ACAP helps Soldiers to set new career goals and attain those goals, but it does
not deliver skills training except in the area of job search skills.
10. Why is the ACAP workshop so long?
Most installations conduct workshops jointly sponsored by the Army and Department
of Labor. While there is some flexibility, the curriculum is standardized and cannot
be materially altered. Generally, a workshop will take 2.5 to 3 days, depending
on how many service providers such as VA are involved.
11. Our unit is going to be deploying. Can my Soldiers initiate ACAP now or do they
have to wait until they return to start?
So long as non-retiring Soldiers are within 1 year of separation and retirees are
within 2 they can start ACAP services at any time. Starting the ACAP process before
deployment will help you to ensure that your unit timeliness rate stays high and
helps Soldiers plan for a well-orchestrated separation when they return from deployment.
Even while they are deployed Soldiers can use job search tools and receive counseling
support through ACAP On-Line.
12. What is timeliness?
Congress requires all transitioning Soldiers to receive a preseparation briefing
no later than 90 days prior to separation or retirement. Your unit timeliness rate
for the month is calculated by counting all of your Soldiers who received a preseparation
briefing during the month and dividing that number into the number of those Soldiers
who had 90 or more days remaining in the service as of the date of the briefing.
The ACAP Center can tell you your unit's timeliness percentage for the month as
well as the names of the Soldiers who did not comply with the 90-day rule.
13. Isn’t it unfair to hold my unit accountable for timeliness when some Soldiers
leave active duty expeditiously as a result of an administrative, judicial or medical
action?
The Army understands that unprogrammed separations may cause problems. Consequently,
the Army goal is for 85% of all Soldiers to receive preseparation counseling at
least 90 days before leaving federal service.
14. How can I keep my timeliness percentage high?
Your ACAP Center will help by notifying you and your Soldiers of the requirement
to receive preseparation counseling either online or at the ACAP Center. You can
boost your timeliness rate by taking two simple steps. First, make sure Soldiers
know that you expect them to complete counseling on time. Second, get all Soldiers
being processed for administrative or medical separation to ACAP as soon as you
can.
15. Can Soldiers use ACAP services during duty hours?
Army policy considers ACAP to be an official use of time, just like a dental appointment
or visit to JAG. Soldiers can use ACAP On-Line to receive services at their leisure,
whether from work or home. As always, the unit mission is a Soldier’s priority,
and will take precedence over ACAP services.
16. Are Soldiers who are being involuntarily separated required to receive ACAP services?
All Soldiers who will have 180 days or more of continuous active duty upon separation
are required to receive ACAP services.
17. Are Soldiers eligible to reenlist once they have started ACAP services?
Not only are they eligible, but the equivalent of more than 14 battalions worth
of ACAP clients reenlisted in FY 10. ACAP helps Soldiers to realistically evaluate
and compare the opportunities available in the private sector. Many ACAP clients
realize that they already have a great career or that they need additional training,
education and experience in order to achieve their ultimate career goals.
18. Are DA Civilians (DAC) eligible to receive ACAP services?
Yes. DA Civilians who are subject to a RIF or BRAC are eligible to receive ACAP
services either online or at an ACAP Center. They can attend workshops targeted
to their needs, receive counseling and use resources such as research materials
and automated. DA Civilians may take up to 40 hours of administrative leave to accomplish
their transition goals.
19. Can family members of Soldiers and DA Civilians use ACAP services?
Family members of eligible Soldiers and DA Civilians can prepare for their entry
or re-entry into the job market by participating in the same ACAP services – workshops,
counseling, tool usage – as Soldiers or DA Civilians.
20. What is DTAP?
The Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP) is a specialized workshop for
Soldiers who are separating or retiring for medical reasons and for those who believe
they have a disability qualifying them for VA Benefits. The goal of DTAP is to encourage
and assist potentially eligible Soldiers in making an informed decision about VA's
Vocational Rehabilitation Program. It is also intended to facilitate the expeditious
delivery of vocational rehabilitation services to eligible Soldiers by assisting
them in filing an application for vocational rehabilitation benefits.
21. Who can participate in ACAP Job Fairs and Employer Days?
Generally, ACAP Job Fairs and Employer Days are targeted to Soldiers and take place
on the installation. Employers who participate in these events, typically, are interested
in hiring Soldiers and look to fill their job openings with individuals who have
skills that are found in military occupations. DA Civilians and Family members may
also attend these job fairs and will often locate good job leads and opportunities
through them.
22. I want all my officers and NCOs to get more information about ACAP. What do we
need to do?
You can begin by directing your officers and NCOs to the other informational resources
on this website at ACAP Program: Leader’s Perspective, Publicity and
ACAP Process. Your installation Transition Services Manager (TSM) also is
responsible for educating leaders on ACAP. The TSM, typically, is available for
individual or group discussions about ACAP. You and your staff can also receive
a demonstration of ACAP services that are available to your Soldiers by visiting
your supporting ACAP Center.