Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) help service members and their families prepare to separate or retire from the military. TAP is a mandatory program and must begin no later than 365 days prior to their transition.

New FY25 TAP Calendar

For a list of all TAP classes that can assist you with your post-military goals, go to TAPevents.mil.

STEP 1: INITIAL COUNSELING

Initial Counseling (IC) is the first MANDATORY step of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for ALL separating and retiring service members (No Exemptions). IC is to be completed NLT 365 days prior to the service member’s DOS. During the IC, service members will meet with their Command Career Counselor of FFSC TAP Counselor to assess their preparedness for transition and establish a transition plan (This will include scheduling the service member’s Pre-Separation Counseling and TAP Curriculum Workshop).

Service Members with the following circumstances, please email nsawffsc@us.navy.mil subject line "TAP IC request for a 1:1 appointment" to schedule separately:

Medical Evaluation Board (MEB)
- Administrative Separations must be scheduled by the unit; contact FFSC at 202-685-0229.
If you are within 1 year of separation, or within 2 years of retirement, please contact your Career Counselor to schedule your Initial Counseling appt.

For additional questions, please contact the FFSC TAP Team at nsawffsc@us.navy.mil.

STEP 2: PRE-SEPARATION BRIEF

Once IC is complete, the pre-separation brief* should be scheduled and must be completed NLT 365 days prior to separation/retirement. Pre-separation counseling covers by-law information to include benefits, entitlements and resources for eligible transitioning Service members. Caregivers and spouses are especially encouraged to attend pre-separation counseling with their Service member.

*This briefing will be scheduled during your IC appointment and is designated based on post separation status (i.e. separatee/retiree).

STEP 3: TRANSITION CURRICULUM 3-DAY WORKSHOP

This workshop prepares service members for a successful transition. This workshop is as follows:

Day 1: DoD Transition Day: Managing Your Transition, Military Occupational Crosswalk & Financial Planning For Transition – This portion of TAP includes curriculum modules on building resiliency by managing your own transition (MyTransition), a Military Occupational Code Crosswalk to help define and translate military skills and the Financial Plan for Transition module, which fulfills the mandated financial literacy requirement.

(Required For All – No Exemptions)

Day 2- VA Benefits & Services (Required For All – No Exemptions)

Day 3- DOL Employment Fundamentals Of Career Transition (EFCT) – Designed to lay the foundation of the transition from military to civilian life. The 1-day workshop introduces the essential tools and resources needed to evaluate career options, gain information for civilian employment, and understand the fundamentals of the employment process. (Exemptions Apply).

STEP 4: CAPSTONE

Capstone is the culminating event where a transition counselor will verify completion of required Career Readiness Standards (deliverables) as determined during the service members IC appointment. Capstone is currently conducted via email/TEAMs.

Capstone must be completed NLT 90 days prior to separation/retirement.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Individualized Initial Counseling, Presepeartion Counseling, TAP Day 1/VA Benefits & Services and Capstone are REQUIRED for all service members - no exemptions.