TAP curriculum available online for separating service members Published April 9, 2014 By Air Force News Service 354 Fighter Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Separating service members can participate in the transition assistance program, or TAP, online, Department of Defense officials recently announced. TAP, now called Transition GPS-Goals, Plans and Success, is designed to prepare separating and retiring members for life outside of the military. It includes a variety of seminars from dressing for success to financial independence. The virtual curriculum is part of a broader program redesign to better prepare service members for success in their civilian life. The virtual curriculum was added to benefit service members at geographically separated units, those with a short-notice separation and those contemplating retirement. "This virtual training is for those with less than 60 days remaining on active duty status, and it is important to note that we offer classroom-based training monthly which is highly encouraged for everyone transitioning from active duty," said Crystal Christian, 354th Force Support Squadron Airman & Family Readiness Center community readiness technician. "The virtual curriculum, as with all of our Transition GPS workshops we offer, begins with speaking with a staff member at the A&FRC and a Pre-separation Counseling briefing. Regardless of time constraints or location, we strive to accommodate all Airmen at Eielson with the Transition GPS curriculum via classroom-based training at the A&FRC." The redesign expanded requirements to include mandatory attendance at a five-day workshop, a Department of Labor employment workshop, a Department of Veterans Affairs briefing and completion of a capstone session to ensure the member is career ready. Optional training for higher education, entrepreneurial and vocational training is also available, along with extensive one-on-one counseling to help Airmen develop a comprehensive individual transition plan. "Many service members do not have access to brick and mortar classrooms for transition instruction," said Rashaud Smith, the AFPC Airman and Family Sustainment Branch community readiness analyst. "The virtual program mirrors the traditional offerings, and placing it on the Joint Knowledge Online Portal, where military training programs for joint applications already reside, will allow personnel to access it from anywhere in the world." The online Transition GPS has 50 hours of interactive training modules to meet career readiness standards established by the Pentagon. Modules include: - Transition Overview - Resilient Transitions - 1.5 hours - Military Occupational Classification Crosswalk - 1.5 hours - Personal Financial Planning for Transition - 3 hours - Department of Labor Employment Workshop - 15 hours - Federal Employment - 4 hours - VA Benefits I - 1 hour - VA Benefits II - 3 hours - Entrepreneur Track - 9 hours - Accessing Higher Education Track - 4 hours - Career Technical Training Track - 8 hours "Transition GPS helps ease the mental and emotional side of the separation process allowing service members to make informed decisions, set goals for civilian life and gain the skills and resources needed to meet those goals," Smith said. To access the site and establish a profile, go to myPers. Enter Transition Assistance Program in the search window and select the "Transition Assistance Program (TAP)" link. Locate the TGPS link under "Virtual Curriculum," select it and follow the instructions above to create a profile. First time users must create and save a profile, and then click on the "My Profile" link to find and join the TGPS VC "audience." They will then save the profile again to secure the selection to the desktop space. Once profile set-up is complete, students can enroll in each course by selecting the enroll button next to the course title they want to complete. "My advice would be to simply call the A&FRC at 377-2178 to start your transition process with Pre-separation counseling," Christian said. "This briefing takes place every Tuesday at 1 p.m., for those that may be separating. We provide valuable information for Airmen and their families."