JBER Transition Assistance Program gets new digs Published April 3, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Tammie Ramouer JBER Public Affairs JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARSDSON, Alaska -- As military members reach the end of their careers they may not be aware of how much of a change separating or retiring will be. Stepping into this transition can be frightening for many service members, but they should not fear the end of their service with the armed forces. The Transition Assistance Program is now the Transition Goals, Plans, Success enacted to help by giving them vital information to easily transition into civilian life. The Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act was enacted by President Obama in 2011, and is a program associated with Transition GPS that provides help to veterans with guidance and preparation. "The TAP is important because with the high unemployment rate, separating and retiring military members haven't really thought about a twelve-month budget, not knowing how they are going to support themselves and their families in their transition," said Sheila Braeutigam, Transition GPS manager on JBER. The Transition GPS program is mandatory for all members in order to expand counseling, and strengthen and guide service members before leaving the military. TAP is a five-day program offered twice a month. The first day of briefs includes an explanation of the entire program. The program includes briefings on financial readiness, department of labor, veterans affairs, and disabled transition assistance program. The briefing for financial readiness gives information on how to spend money wisely and gives them ways of putting money in savings accounts. Another is a Department of Labor workshop which includes resume writing, dressing for success, salary negotiation, and interviewing-which is essential for the transition process. On the last day the Veterans Affairs briefing is offered in the morning to help members apply for their benefits. The disabled transition assistance program briefing also helps members apply for their benefits, and what their benefits include as a disabled veteran. Along with the information provided, military members have the option to choose from three individualized careers at the start of the TAP program. Education, small business administration, and technical career are paths designed to focus on individuals looking to find a career after they retire. The educational path could be going back to college; that could include online courses or in-class sessions. For the individuals wanting to build a business, a small business administration path would be a great way to start. "Boots To Business" is a program that helps members decide what type of business they want to build. A technical path is an opportunity for soon to be retirees to help their communities by working with a union. Examples of this can include doing electrical work, or trading stocks. "Once you go through the entire week of the TAP process, we are hoping individuals will be at a point to where they can determine which path they want to take." said Braeutigam. Veterans are provided with an evaluation of their employability, if they choose to work once they retire from the military. The disabled veterans are also prepared for job readiness through the disabled transition assistance program, by showing them how to make career decisions, and learn how to search for jobs that work with their level of ability. Before military members separate, they go through a capstone event that includes an evaluation of the Transition GPS program, and how they plan to transition into the civilian world.