SFL-TAP. Let's share some knowledge. Anyone else going thru it now?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 09:53:37 -0500

I know there are some other posts out there about SFL-TAP(a little dated). So if MODS want to combine that's ok. I just started mine(11 Jan 16), and wanted to share some thoughts and observations.
1. Biggest take away I've gotten is the classes so far is you will get out of it what YOU want to take advantage of using.
2. Yes some of the classes are redundant(I won't say waste of time), but you'll learn at least 1 bit of info you weren't aware of.
3. The 3 day DOL class I thought was good. They give you a base/starting point(if you haven't already started your job search/resume). Writing your resume and "converting" your military skills to civilian speak is "interesting" to say the least, but in a class room environment you can present it to the class and get feedback from different perspectives.
4. I know at the beginning of my class (day 1) they had a info sheet asking what other resources you would like assistance with. Whether or not you filled it out honestly and take advantage of it is entirely up to you. I checked a couple of different classes I would like and by end of week I already had appointments set up.
5. At Ft Campbell every Wed they have a mini job fair at the SFL-TAP building with 7-8 different companies. If you are ere for the whole week that was excellent. I got a couple of job leads, and it's a good start to get your "feet wet" talking to civilian recruiters and networking. I actually have a couple of tentative job offers from it once I finish tweeting my resume to the companies I'm looking at.
6. DO NOT sell yourself short. Meaning you may not think you have many transferable skills to the civilian market, but you do. To me that was a HUGE take away from the DOL workshop. You really need to think outside the box.
7. The Staff is/are OUTSTANDING. Extremely helpful with any question you have and if they don't know the answer they'll get you pointed in right direction.

I know a lot of the Sr Leaders have (hopefully) plans in place etc. Jr Soldiers that are transitioning really need to take advantage of what they have to offer. Hell its free services to help and assist you.

These are some of my observations from my first step towards transitioning. I'm going thru Ft Campbell so opinions may vary from post to post and individual to individual.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 10:30 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 10:30:41 -0500

Forgot 1 more point that I didn't know. Lol
8. There are resources available for your spouse on job hunting if you are moving away from your current location.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 16 at 2016 10:56 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 10:56:30 -0500

There are a couple related threads going. I am also in the TAP pipeline, I finished the 5 day TU. I have the Education track coming up. If you know retirement is coming for you, you can do TAP 2 years out! And do it again, in part or as a whole!

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-far-in-advance-can-active-duty-service-members-from-all-branches-start-training-or-looking-for-employment?urlhash=1225732

How far in advance can active duty service members from all branches start training or looking...

How far in advance can active duty service members from all branches start training or looking for employment? It is 90 Days? Is it 30 days? What is the transition period allowed an active service member today? What do the regulations allow for in the various service branches for transitioning service members either leaving the service voluntarily at the end of their enlistment, being separated due to force reductions, medically being released...

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 10:22 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 10:22:09 -0500

I just went through the process a year ago. I ended up in a situation that many senior NCO's probably find themselves.........
I cut myself short and didn't take the time to take care of myself. I thought I was going to be extended on Active Duty and 4 days before my orders were over we found out that no extension was coming through. I had completed a few of the mandatory classes but I was no where close to where I needed to be. Unfortunately the TAP/SFL office that I was working with was not much assistance. They were more concerned about ensuring that the mandatory BS was done instead of focusing on setting me up for success. (Yes I know I didn't set myself up for success but the situation was no fault of my own) I believe that the program at my installation was more focused on junior enlisted Soldiers. (We were a TRADOC post and the vast majority of Soldiers being separated were junior enlisted Soldiers being chaptered from BCT. Demographics were primarily 18-25 with little or no college education) I found the mandatory budget worksheet insulting. It was very intrusive, my mother or my wife wasn't going to make me justify how much money I spent in a vending machine each week so why was it ok for a civilian without a degree in financial planning? I ended up clearing the post on my own personal time and dime. Sold back 56 days of leave, and moved back to my HOR to get back in my feet. I did end working with a head hunter company called Bradley Morris. They work with NCO's and officers and do all of the leg work for you. You provide your resume, they help you tweak it, and then they find suitable positions and set up interviews. They are very proactive and it doesn't cost you a penny. I also worked extensively with my states Department Of Labor DVOP. I eventually got a job on my own with CSX Railroad. (They love the military) unfortunately after 24 weeks of training I was furloughed and back looking for another job. I recently accepted a federal position and am awaiting for a start date.
My recommendations:
1. You get out what you put in. Finding gainful employment takes work. Be prepared for rejection and take it as a lesson learned. (I literally have applied for over 120 jobs over the past six months.
2. You have spent countless years "taking care of Soldiers". Now is the time you need to take care of yourself! Someone else will have to step up and do your job after you retire. There will still be problems that arise but they are no longer your problems. Your focus needs to be on you and your family. Their transition is just as important as yours.
3. Keep things in perspective. You have been given a lot of responsibility throughout your military career. But when you take off the uniform you are simply a veteran. It doesn't necessarily matter what rank you got out as, how many deployments you did, what "Hooah" schools you went to or what you got as a retirement award.
Good luck in your transition!

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Jan 19 at 2016 2:19 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 14:19:52 -0500

It sounds like your SFL-TAP office is much better than the one we have here. I started my classes last week, as well, but was given no information on what the other classes would cover. The set up for the DOL workshop was extremely poor, and there were no computers or wifi available to go over networking and review some of the online tools available. A few of us from the class tried talking to the counselors about these issues, and were completely disregarded. Additionally, I tried to talk to the counselors about missing a few hours of the OPTIONAL classes due to schedule conflicts, to try and determine if I could still take the class and get what information I could for the time I was there (I'm in two college classes that would have some overlap).

The workshop itself seemed very focused on acquiring federal jobs, and wasn't very applicable to those looking to go back to school or pursuing non-federal options. I personally felt that smaller class sizes (we have ~50 soldiers in the class, 1 instructor) and more student interaction (instead of lecturing) would have been more beneficial.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Apr 7 at 2016 12:24 AM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 00:24:54 -0400

I took the SFL-TAP twice (OCT-2014 and MAY-2015). Our SFL Center goes beyond the minimum. They bring employers to serve as a panel after every TAP class. They have them grouped as VOW/TAP, Mid-Career VOW/TAP, and Senior Leader VOW/TAP. Anyone can attend the employer panels and network. A local Toastmasters club comes about every quarter and holds a special Toastmasters meeting geared towards soldiers and interview skills.

Because Networking is key, and Alaska is a small island, the center puts a lot of emphasis in network, along with the resume and personal branding.

I am grateful for my change of command that gave me a soft job on the way out. I could focus on transition.

Response by SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr made Jul 13 at 2016 11:17 PM

SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 23:17:26 -0400

I think what it all boils down too, is the instructors need to be better trained and that the entire course be required before discharge or retirement. It is like any other military base program, "until we see something better and are given permission to use it, we stay with the current plan". Prime example is the time "teaching you" to write your resume only to find out that it is nowhere near the way is should be written or that you might have the need for multiple different resumes depending on what job you are applying for.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2017 10:00 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 10:00:18 -0400

I am currently at Fort Stewart now going through the SFL-TAP. The Department of Labor class was abject junk. Do yourself a favor and take the career track class in its place. The DOL class is clearly a funding point for SFL-TAP. Hardly any of the computers worked and the instructor was dry like the teacher from Ferris Buellers day off. I wanted to stab my self in the eye it was so uninformative as well as boring. BTW when you get lost the instructor will gladly move along and leave you behind. Don't worry though youll still get credit for the class without the knowledge. As far as the computers not working. All you'll hear is "NOT OUR FAULT" <-----. Don't waste your time with the DOL class unless you enjoy being in front of instructors that don't care because they know that their class is the meat and potatoes that cant be cancelled. If I had to do it all over again I would sign the waiver for DOL and just take the career track in its place. I wrote my congressman today to request a fraud review of the SFL-TAP programs DOL class. Its just another example of fraud waste and abuse being disguised as helping soldiers. I will be advocating in the next Defense Authorization that additional oversight and quality control be placed on the SFL-TAP program (Through monitored Customer complaints).