Should TAPS be longer before separation or retirement?

2015-10-26T14:05:47-04:00

I myself am a recent Veteran, I separated from the AF in June 2015, I can honestly say that while the TAPs program has improved greatly that it is too short. Since separating, I have found as I imagine other Veterans have that transitioning into civilian life is hard. More so with how we market ourselves through resumes, net-working etc. I have found there is allot you learn that could have been taught or prepared me better for. I just hope that in the coming years the TAPs program is extended longer as the transition is truly life changing especially if your separating and not retiring.

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Oct 26 at 2015 2:16 PM

2015-10-26T14:16:39-04:00

Not really. You are already authorised to attend it twice. Transitioning people have a responsibility to do research on transitioning and not expect the branch to do it all. TAPS whets your appetite. Those that plan well...succeed.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 26 at 2015 2:47 PM

2015-10-26T14:47:04-04:00

The issue with TAPS isn't the length of time, it's when it is conducted and the actual focus when you are going through it.

Most folks brain just isn't there when they are doing it. They are preparing to get out, not preparing for a class about getting out. Especially for a 21-22 person. Especially if they are moving back to wherever they are going.

In reality, you should probably be making a resume over the course of your career. You should probably be networking the entire time. You should probably be tracking all all these things already... Taps doesn't give a lot of NEW information that wasn't available. It was a refresher course more than anything. If you don't know most of it at that point, you're already screwed.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 26 at 2015 2:51 PM

2015-10-26T14:51:49-04:00

TAPS is a joke where I did mine. I went through it in 12, and it was a "check the box" deal. Tons of well meaning people who did the entire thing through powerpoint. Now if that's not enough to bring your spirits down, I don't know what is. Resume writing? I wrote one (my first) and the reviewer just glanced over it and had me do a few changes and that was it. I posted it on LinkedIn and was torn apart by other vets who saw it and from THEM I got it somewhat squared away. For me, I found that I got more information from those who've gotten out, made the million mistakes and was able to pass that down to me. If I could change TAPS, it would be longer, and instead of constant briefings through PP, it would be more of a workshop deal where you're given tasks in either a group or individual, and get graded on them. Resume writing, interview procedures, turning your military lingo into plain English that a civilian could understand. I'd bring in actual HR personnel from local companies to assist troops in their searches, Government and civilian resume specialists, A VA spokesman who isn't glossing over the "finer" points of the VA, but can actually tell you within reason what to expect. Maybe even a finical person to explain how what you made might not equal what you think you're going to make on the outside. I've seen too many buddies chasing a dollar thinking they're going to get paid, and just to find out that all the crap they were getting for free, they now have to pay for. This includes some of them who actually saved some money before getting out. I'd also try as a last two day event, make it a job fair where the troops can actually interact with companies and maybe score a job before they get out. I'm not going to say ALL of TAPS was bad, just where I did mine.

Response by 1stSgt Jon Vance made Oct 26 at 2015 3:56 PM

2015-10-26T15:56:57-04:00

I run the TAP at JBSA Fort Sam Houston and do agree there should be additional information focused more on today's social media and marketing yourself. The biggest challenge is educating service members they can start 18 months out from ETS (24 for retirees), if they do the course could be taken multiple times not to mention some of the other services available. Often the cut it close approach really stings when on the other side. Bring spouses as well; come early, come often.

Response by MSgt Matthew Meindl made Oct 26 at 2015 4:22 PM

2015-10-26T16:22:34-04:00

Should be a bit more in depth on the resume (be able to actually have a polished resume by the end of it) and be coordinated with a local job fair to attempt to assist with finding a (correct fitting) job before being fed to the wolves.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2015 7:30 PM

2015-10-26T19:30:09-04:00

Seems like TAPS should just be something to point folks in the right direction. If more help is needed we have the Airman and Family Readiness Center to provide further assistance, but it seems like initiative should be taken as well IMO.

Response by SSgt Jeffrey Bowers made Oct 26 at 2015 10:24 PM

2015-10-26T22:24:50-04:00

An absolute revamp of the program is needed to include discussing what receiving veterans organization may be able to assist (DAV, VFW, VET Job CENTERS, ETC) in the transition so they can take them on as like a final PCS base. It would have helped me.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Oct 27 at 2015 1:05 AM

2015-10-27T01:05:19-04:00

I think they need to make the services offered to transitioning service members standard. I heard the Army version of TAP is much better. I have seen the Army and Marines in some units can attend a trade school, and the Army has the PaYS program. There may (or may not be, no idea) mixed success but what do we have in the USAF?

I mean, my AFSC can translate to the civilian world...but it requires years of education and quite frankly, not something I want to do.

Response by SMSgt Cary Baker made Oct 27 at 2015 9:06 AM

2015-10-27T09:06:16-04:00

It was too long for me, I only attended half of it. However, the Department of Labor briefings we had were 3 days long, and if it would have been 7 days, I would have attended each of them. I think it depends on the individual. You can also attend more than one TAP briefing. I did it twice.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 11:09 AM

2015-10-27T11:09:19-04:00

Honestly, until we can get airmen to understand that their entire 20 year career is a transition process, the length of TAPS won't matter. If you lock yourself on a base for 4/6/15/20/etc. years and do not integrate yourself/network with the civilian sector, no length of TAPS is going to make a difference. From the time you walk through the door at Lackland, you need to remember first and foremost that everyone will take the uniform off at some point. Acquire degrees, credentials and network from day one and you will find the transition much easier.

Response by MSgt Jim Wolverton made Oct 27 at 2015 11:11 AM

2015-10-27T11:11:30-04:00

Yea it should, with more in depth resume/job skills info and VA info you can actually use.

Response by MSgt Michael Fultz made Oct 29 at 2015 1:03 PM

2015-10-29T13:03:34-04:00

Yes, it should. I took it six month before retirement and again a month be retirement. I am glad I did it six month prior but wished I would have at least a year prior. Good question.

Response by Maj Justin Walworth made Oct 29 at 2015 2:16 PM

2015-10-29T14:16:56-04:00

TAP at my base was pretty good. What really made the difference for me was that I had previously considered getting out several years earlier so I already had a descent resume, cover letter, LinkedIn, and all info organized for job applications. I was able to spending my time perfecting vs starting from scratch. More time sitting in TAP won't help. Spend more time talking to others and working your transition will make your leap successful.

Response by A1C Melissa Jackson made Oct 29 at 2015 3:01 PM

2015-10-29T15:01:22-04:00

While I think that the IDEA of a TAPS program while you are still in the service is nice- a short briefing on how to access the VA should be most of the extent of it. The VA should be managing transition- and they do a shi**y job of it. They SHOULD be getting veterans immediately after their service term and educating them on everything from the benefits due them to how to interact with civilians. Many veterans - particularly retirees REALLY struggle with the transition. As for employability- CH31 is for disabled veterans (I was a VRE counselor for years), however, having some appointments with counseling staff that are SPECIALIZED to transitioning veterans to give them practical information on proper approaches to getting employment and transitional skills: invaluable. Keep the veterans informed of job fairs, offer assistance for them to GET to them, and offer a listening ear when the inevitable problems occur.

THAT is what we should be doing. Military mindset is SO different than civilian- it is literally shock to veterans sometimes.

Response by MSgt Mike McCarty made Oct 29 at 2015 5:58 PM

2015-10-29T17:58:45-04:00

I think it's whatever you make of it. I retired six years ago and barely remember what they covered, but I wasn't all too interested as I already had a plan in place. I never found the transition all that hard, I walked away and didn't look back.

Response by 1stSgt Ani Stubbs made Oct 29 at 2015 10:40 PM

2015-10-29T22:40:33-04:00

One comment repeated here is "Do your research" yet many don't know how to do the research or where. This should be added to the TAPS. I also think it should be part of the SNCO Academy. We have a responsibility to make sure troops getting out do so with the best chance of succeeding as veterans.

Response by Amn Michael King made Oct 30 at 2015 12:00 AM

2015-10-30T00:00:46-04:00

I'm a Vietnam Era vet, so I don't recall there being a TAPS program when I got out. However, I am familiar with the Wellness and Vocational Enrichment programs made available by the Department of Veterans Affairs. They really help with servicemen transitioning to civilian life. I'd look into them if I was you.

Response by SMSgt Scott Ward made Oct 31 at 2015 8:10 AM

2015-10-31T08:10:17-04:00

I think it's about right (I went through in 2011 and already had a job lined up) but from my experience, people get out what they put in. I help retirees all the time with advice etc and most fail to really take anything away from taps, especially regarding the power of networking. It may not be intentional, maybe OBE associated with other pertinent retirement things or what but many fail to take anything away for whatever reason. And yes the material was dated and the DOL rep was someone that had been retired for a few years.

Response by Maj Paul Mordini made Nov 2 at 2015 12:01 AM

2015-11-02T00:01:55-05:00

The military can't spoon feed you everything. 2 days is plenty. It is hard and you have to market yourself. I still use the resume I did in TAPS, just updated. I also realized I was staring over, even after 20 years. However, I was head and shoulders above other candidates at that level.

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Nov 2 at 2015 10:53 AM

2015-11-02T10:53:30-05:00

I would make it another day or so longer so local community organizations could come out and let you know that if all your plans fail there is still help out there for you. I have been trying to get out to the base for the last two years to let Airman, Soldiers, and Sailors know that there are organizations like HUD/Vash, SSVF, HVHC, to help in time of need and Purple Heart, American Legion, DAV, and VFW to actually help you do your disability claim correctly.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 8:13 PM

2015-11-03T20:13:47-05:00

How long is the orientation for? When I was in, it was for 5 days.