Should the ACAP/SEPs & Taps or transition year become its own Academy?

I think it should begin with the completion of AIT, A School, OBC, or whatever entry level job or branch specific training a service member goes through. We have a lot of great transition tools and programs out there, but just like financial planning for retirement, it is something that should be a part of military career progression. Getting them prepared for life after the military will only help to make them more productive while they are still in.

I believe it was Richard Branson who said something like, "Train your employees well enough so they can leave, but treat them well enough that they don't want to." This is something that is sorely lacking. Fair, equitable, and respectful treatment does not mean you have to baby them or handle them with kid gloves. I always felt that if the guy next to me was getting the same smoking for the same infraction, then I couldn't complain.

Anyway, that is my two cents.

Thanks for the read!

I think it's a wonderful concept, but in an era of dwindling budgets, I don't think we could make it happen.

When I was enlisted, I signed a "4x4" contract; 4 years active, 4 in the IRR. I think cutting that 4 years active down to 3, and then factoring a year in for training leaves the tax-payer getting 2 years of work, but paying for 4 during the enlistment.

I think a more realistic way to get after this is to try to retain the good Soldiers (or sailors, Marines, Airmen) and not waiting until ACAP/TAPS to teach good communication skills, budgeting, etc. Many of the skills employers want on the outside, we should (in my opinion) be cultivating in our servicemembers.