Is SFL-TAP and or the CSP program a obligatory program or mandatory program? being told if I want to attend the program I need to reenlist?

2022-02-02T12:23:03-05:00

So I am 6 months out from ETS, ready to get out and start the next chapter of my life. I joined the army with a GED so I’m slightly more limited on options when I get out. I got put on gate guard about a month ago because I’m getting in soon. I watched a few buddy’s get out and attend the CSP program and are doing quite well because of it. I asked my leadership about it bringing up the fact that I’m running out of time and I’d they told me if I want to do that I need to reenlist for a year or two because they need me on gate guard. While at the same time stuff doing multiple things at the company even though I was under the impression that you can only have one place of duty, but I guess that’s a whole different post. The point is I would like to try to start planning and setting my self up for success outside of the army (a little bit under 6 months) My leadership is telling me that’s not going to happen. Is there any kind of regulation on this? Or do you have any advice for how I should go about this?

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Feb 2 at 2022 2:05 PM

2022-02-02T14:05:02-05:00

Your leadership is either extremely ignorant on these two programs or they're toxic as hell.

SFL-TAP is for people who are getting out of the Army. It's a transition program that is mandatory. CSP is also a transition program.

CSP: https://home.army.mil/imcom/index.php/customers/career-skills-program

TAP: https://www.armytap.army.mil/

For CSP: "Service Members interested in additional information on programs and application requirements should contact their CSP Installation Administrator in their local CSP Office, Transition Services Manager in their local TAP office or their respective CSP Regional Coordinator by using the map below."

Go talk to your CSP office where you are located. If you're six months out from ETS, you are actually behind the curve quite a lot. You should have started 12 months ago.

"If you are an Active or Reserve Component Soldier with 180+ days of continuous active federal duty service, you and your Family members are eligible to receive SFL-TAP services 18 months prior to transition or 24 months prior to retirement. Some DA Civilian employees can attend SFL-TAP."

career-skills-program

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2022 2:14 PM

2022-02-02T14:14:14-05:00

Soldiers are eligible to participate in one Army CSP up to 180 days prior to separation from the Army and after completion of the mandatory 5-day SFL-TAP workshop. The use of permissive temporary duty (PTDY) to attend a CSP more than 50 miles away from the Soldier’s duty station may be granted at the Commander’s discretion.
https://www.armytap.army.mil/

TAP Online

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2022 2:28 PM

2022-02-02T14:28:47-05:00

Pre-separation planning through TAP is Congressionally mandated by Public Law 107-103, and the VOW Act, 22 Nov 11.

AR 600-81
https://armypubs.army.mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/Details.aspx?PUB_ID=1000361

Army Publishing Directorate

Army DA administrative publications and forms by the Army Publishing Directorate APD. The latest technologies high quality electronic pubs and forms view U.S. Army Regulations and DA Forms.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Feb 2 at 2022 3:12 PM

2022-02-02T15:12:59-05:00

Your leadership is either woefully ignorant or toxic.

SFL-TAP and CSP are for transitioning soldiers. Period. For SFL-TAP you should have started long ago, you are behind the curve. Anyone who has 180+ days of continuous active duty service can use SFL-TAP (and family). For ETS you can start 18 months out, retirement 2 years. So you should have started SFL-TAP 12 months ago.

CSP - you need to see your local CSP coordinator on your base to see if you qualify.
https://home.army.mil/imcom/index.php/customers/career-skills-program

SFL-TAP: "AR 600-81 requires all Soldiers in the Regular Army and the Active Guard Reserve Program to complete the Soldier for Life (SFL) - Transition Assistance Program (TAP) process before the separation date on their DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty)." It's in Chapter 7 of the AR.

https://www.armytap.army.mil/

career-skills-program

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Feb 2 at 2022 3:14 PM

2022-02-02T15:14:27-05:00

Also - why was this posted twice?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2022 4:05 PM

2022-02-02T16:05:18-05:00

SFL TAP is mandatory, you are absolutely required to do it.

CSP is a program within SFLTAP. Your leadership is right that if you want to do that you will need more time. You have to complete all of SFLTAP to apply for a CSP. You have to have your CSP approved by your BN CDR before you can go to one. You can only attend one in the last six months to your ETS. Meaning that since you are six months from ETS you won't have enough time to complete all your classes, submit your approval in time for a class that has openings, then start and end the class before your ETS

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 2 at 2022 5:13 PM

2022-02-02T17:13:25-05:00

SFL-TAP is mandatory. CSP is not mandatory, it's certainly a privelage, but a Commaner really SHOULD encourage CSP participation.