Several weeks ago, we joined our partners from DoD and Labor to update Congress on the status of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) – the program that provides training, information, and services to help Servicemembers and their families achieve their post-military goals. We have come a long way since the inception of the new/revised TAP so we thought now is a good time to send out an update – from the VA perspective.
As of March 31, 2014, VA achieved worldwide full operating capability for its portion of TAP. VA has deployed over 300 contract Benefits Advisors to provide full-time transition support to 107 military installations, and itinerant support to another 189 installations worldwide.
VA Benefits Advisors deliver:
- VA Benefits I and II briefings that provide Servicemembers with information on education, employment, health care, life insurance, home loans, VA disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, burial and survivor benefits, and establishing a profile on the Veterans Employment Center.
- The Career Technical Training Track, a workshop that helps transitioning Servicemembers and their spouses identify civilian occupations, establish career goals, and begin applications for credentials and vocational training.
- Individual assistance to transitioning Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families at any point to answer their questions regarding the VA benefits they’ve earned.
VA has also fully integrated the Military Life Cycle model which incorporates transition planning and preparation to meet Career Readiness Standards (CRS) throughout a Servicemember’s military career. In addition to providing briefings to transitioning Servicemembers, VA Benefits Advisors offer MLC briefings to Active-Duty and Reserve Component members at the request of units to ensure these men and women have the resources to plan for their eventual retirements.
VA has provided TAP services to an impressive number of participants. From October 1, 2014 through March 21, 2015:
- 92,164 people attended 3,450 VA Benefits I briefings.
- 91,247 people attended 3,476 VA Benefits II briefings.
- 3,688 people attended 416 CTTT briefings.
- 46,820 Servicemembers have participated in 15,930 Military Life Cycle events.
We are excited to see participation continue to grow for VA TAP, but we need your help to spread the word about this beneficial program. If you know transitioning Servicemembers, Veterans, or military spouses, make sure they know VA Benefits Advisors are available to help them plan for the future and access the benefits they have earned. For a listing of benefits advisors by location, please visit: http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/docs/Benefits Advisor POCs by Location_March 2015.pdf.
To learn more about TAP, visit http://www.benefits.va.gov/tap/
