Transition assistance

Published March 12, 2013
By Senior Airman Laura L. Valentine
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- In an effort to help military members make the move to the civilian work force, major changes to the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program have been implemented.

Regardless of total years served in the Air Force, active duty, Guard and Reserve, Airmen are now required to complete the five-day seminar offered through airmen and family readiness centers.

The updated Transition Assistance Program, which went into effect Nov. 21, 2012, is comprised of mandatory pre-separation counseling, an individualized transition plan, a Department of Veterans Affairs benefits briefing and the Department of Labor employment workshop for all active-duty military members retiring or separating from the Air Force.

Prior to the new program design, only the pre-separation counseling was a mandatory requirement while an optional three-day program was offered.

"The goal for the program is when military members get ready to transition to civilian life they are going to be ready in four different areas; employment, education, small business, and technical," said Dong Kim, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant.

Within the five-day program, several topics are discussed.

During the "military cross-walk" portion, a person's Air Force career field is compared to similar civilian work force skills. During the employment workshop, participants are prepared for the processes leading up to employment, to include writing resumes and the interview process.

Additional preparation tracks are available based on plans for after separation.

For example, if the individual wishes to go to school, the educational track can be utilized. Individuals will go to the education center and learn related processes including how to enroll in school and use a GI bill, so that school can start immediately upon separation, said Kim.

The entrepreneurial track is a two-day course for those who want to start a small business. This track will begin in April and has been piloted by the McConnell AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center for the Air Force.

A third technical track, for those interested in pursuing a technical or vocational degree, is tentatively scheduled to begin by the end of fiscal year 2013. This two-day course will be taught by the VA, said Kim.

Individuals separating or retiring must sign up for the program and it can be taken more than once.

Although not required, many individuals who are retiring will attend 18 months out from their retirement date and four to six months from that date to get the information again.

Master Sgt. Michael Castillo, 22nd Logistic Readiness Squadron quality assurance superintendent, understands the benefits of the program and is currently enrolled for a third time.

"I took it at 18 months [from retirement date], one year out, and this is six months," he said. "It is absolutely preparing me."

The transition assistance program is offered through the 22nd ARW AFRC twice a month and Kim recommends enrolling as soon as possible following notification of separation.

"It won't hurt to start the process early," he said. "You get used to how we do things in the military and one of the things we don't do on a regular basis is look for employment or interviewing. So it's a new skill set to have to learn and trying to transfer military skills to the civilian side of the house takes time."