Getting on 'track': Planning for the next chapter of life

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  For most people the thought of change gives them chills. These individuals bask in the luxury of their comfort zones and pay little attention to the sad reality that a new chapter in life is always on the horizon.

The same is true of Airmen and their families because, eventually, their military tenure will come to an end.

"Once upon a time, when people transitioned from the military, there really wasn't a transition program, now there is," said Bob Berger, 31st Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center community readiness consultant.

The military's official transition program was created in 2011 with the passing of the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act.

According to Berger, in one year the Department of Defense paid out approximately $1 billion in unemployment benefits to veterans. With the VOW Act this number dropped to approximately $250 million.

To combat these numbers, the VOW Act introduced several improvements to the already existing Transition Assistance Program.

TAP is now mandatory for all service members who are transitioning into civilian life.

"TAP gives you resources needed when transitioning from the military side to the civilian sector," said Senior Master Sgt. Greg Seeger, 724th Air Mobility Squadron superintendent. "The Department of Labor and Veterans Affairs briefings were probably the best. They taught what to do to excel in the civilian sector and helped set you up for your first interview."

TAP has also evolved into TAP GPS, or Goals, Plans, Success, an evolution that brought about three additional, optional training "tracks."

"These optional tracks help Airmen transition from the Air Force and now they're open to family members as well," said Berger. 

Career Technical Training Track is a 2-day seminar designed for individuals interested in a specific trade or technical field. The next seminar is scheduled for Dec. 2-3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the AFRC. Call the AFRC at 632-5407 for more information or to sign up.

"There are a lot of people with great talents that they've learned in the military and this program helps them to find a technical path to follow," said Berger.

Assessing Higher Education (track) is a 2-day workshop to help attendees chose a degree program. The next workshops are scheduled for Oct. 26-27 and Dec. 14-15 both from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the education center. For more information or to sign up, call the education center at 632-5785.

Operation Boots to Business (track) is a 2-day program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The next workshop is scheduled for Oct. 8-9 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the AFRC. Call the AFRC at 632-5407 for more information or to sign up.

"After the Boots to Business workshop instructors offer students a free, online, 8-week Small Business Administration class," Berger said.

All three tracks have one factor in common.

"Imagine how much you'd pay for these outside the military, yet they're free," said Berger. "Take advantage of these tracks now to better prepare for your transition later." 

It doesn't matter how short or far an Airman is from their transition into civilian life, the AFRC is available to help prepare them for their next chapter of life.