As you come to the end of your Active Duty time in the military, it is time to use
the skills you have acquired to face the challenges of transitioning from military
to civilian life. In many ways, this may be your opportunity to start a new career
or perhaps upgrade your skills and education.
There are valuable services and benefits you and your spouse have earned while on
active duty that can help ease your transition from the military. Congress has mandated
that all Military Service Members must complete a Preseparation Counseling Checklist,
DD Form 2648 or 2648-1. Retiring Soldiers can complete a Preseparation Counseling
Checklist up to two years before they actually plan to retire and non-retirees should
complete it no later than one year prior to transition from Active Duty. Only Soldiers
must receive preseparation counseling; however, Spouses can, and are highly encouraged
to attend all transition training with their sponsor.
You can learn more about preseparation counseling at
AC/RC Preseparation Counseling. There you can download the
Preseparation Guide or
Transition Guide, develop an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) or schedule
SFL-TAP services. As you learn about available services and benefits, you can help
your spouse get started with his or her transition then provide support and encouragement
through the entire process.
Whether your spouse is transitioning after a first term of enlistment, retiring
after a full career in the Army or has already retired, the information on this
website has value for both of you. One of the benefits SFL-TAP provides is employment
assistance. SFL-TAP On-Line supports your research and job search, too, with
Links and
Job Fairs.