The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is the overarching program that provides transition assistance, information, training, counseling, and services to eligible transitioning SMs and their families This program guides SMs and their families to be career ready upon separation, retirement, or release from active duty (AD), thus enabling them to pursue additional education, seek or return to employment in the public or private sector, start their own business, pursue vocational training or other forms of self-employment.

Transitioning Service members must begin their transition process no later than 365 days prior to transition for those who are separating or retiring. It is recommended retirees begin the transition process at least two years prior to retirement. In the event of an unanticipated separation or retirement, or a member of the Reserve Component is demobilized with less than 365 days, TAP must begin as soon as possible within the remaining period of service.

There are four steps to complete the TAP Process:

Step One:  Initial counseling—Congressionally mandated individual counseling appointment required for every separating/retiring member NLT 365 days prior to their DOS/DOR. The DD FM 2648 initiated during this counseling will be valid for three years. Completing the initial counseling appointment does not commit the member to separate or retire.

Step Two: Pre-Separation Counseling—Congressionally mandated briefing required for every separating/retiring member NLT 365 days prior to DOS/DOR.  You will be scheduled for Pre-Separation counseling at your initial counseling appointment.

Step Three:  TAP Workshop—This workshop is three days long and consists of five modules over the three days.  The five modules include: VA Benefits and Services, My Transition, Military Occupational Code Crosswalk (MOC), Financial Planning and the Dept of Labor (DOL) Employment Fundamentals for career transition (EFCT).

Step Four:  Capstone—Mandatory last step in which commanders, or their designee verify the achievement of Career Readiness Standards and viable Individual Transition Plan (ITP) prior to transition.  The Capstone can be completed the earliest at 12 months before separation/retirement and NLT 90 days out from separation/retirement.

For more information or to start the TAP process, please email the Hanscom TAP org box at: 66fss.fsh.hanscomtaoffice@us.af.mil.