WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- For Reserve Citizen Airmen, returning from a deployment of six months or more can feel like beginning a new life. When active duty military members separate from uniformed service, a Department of Defense program prepares them for their next step – whether that’s higher education, employment, or entrepreneurship.
“The Transition Assistance Program covers topics like financial counseling, resume-writing, Veterans Affairs benefits, and resiliency,” said Alvin L. Dennis, community readiness consultant, 445th Airlift Wing Airmen and Family Readiness Center. “It’s a beneficial resource to all military branches and components because it can be tailored to the individual. It’s about helping each individual as they leave active duty.”
The Transition Assistance Program is an outcome-based training program designed to support individuals in their own goals. After spending several months overseas, Airmen may choose to change civilian jobs or begin a new college degree, and TAP can help with these, or a variety of other scenarios Reservists may face following deployment.
Members of the Air Force Reserve can choose one of the three TAP program methods; a five-day workshop, scheduled through the Airmen and Family Readiness Center; or Computer Based Training virtual TAP course totaling 29 hours through the Joint-Knowledge On-line website, or a five hour, Core Components of TAP (The member must be currently employed or enrolled in College or have previously completed the five-day workshop).
All service members being released from a period of active duty of at least 180 days (other than for school or training) are required, per Congressional Mandate, to complete TAP, which includes an individualized career counseling segment and two Veterans Affairs benefits briefings.
“These obligations must be fulfilled 90 days before the last day of the Title 10 active duty orders,” Alvin said. “Anyone curious about the resources or considering separating from the military can access the courses on JKO, as well.”
The 445th Airlift Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on unit training assembly weekends, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The office can be reached at 937-522-4607.