Travis servicemembers TAP into civilian life

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Austin E. Delacruz, Jr.
  • 60th Medical Operations Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Many members of Team Travis are contemplating retirement or maybe separation from the military and transitioning back into civilian life to join the civilian work force. However, they can't seem to make up their mind. 

The mainstream mass communication media is flooded with information and concerns of the downward spiraling U.S. economy with job losses at its worst in 34 years. In January 2009 alone, employers have cut 598,000 jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor has reported the unemployment rate is now at 7.6 percent and climbing. 

Whether you are voluntarily or involuntarily separating or have reached your high year of tenure or retiring, the reality is you are transitioning back into civilian life in one of the most difficult economic times in the U.S. history. So the question is, "Are you ready to move on?" If your answer is "No," or "Not sure," or even "Yes," I highly recommend you visit the Airman and Family Readiness Center and sign up for the Transition Assistance Program to get you and your family prepared for your transition. 

"Team Travis' TAP offers separating/retiring members and their spouses a workshop to assist in your decision to separate or retire," said Barbara Beougher, community readiness consultant to David Grant USAF Medical Center at the AFRC. "The TAP workshop offers job search assistance and related services to separating servicemembers during their period of transition into civilian life." 

What's unique about TAP is the program is a joint collaboration of, and facilitated by, the Departments of Labor, Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs to provide employment and training information to armed forces members and their eligible spouses. 

"Members are strongly recommended to attend this workshop within one year of their separation or two years of their retirement from the military," explained Maria McIntosh, TAP director and community readiness consultant at the Travis AFRC. "Additionally, the program has been rated Air Mobility Command's best TAP program and received an "Outstanding" mark from the most recent Unit Compliance Inspection. Since 1990, TAP has provided job search assistance to more than one million separating and retiring military members and their spouses." 

Although experience shows that veterans generally enjoy a favorable employment rate in the nation's job market, many veterans initially find it difficult to compete successfully in the civilian labor market. 

"Last year, the average length of time separating servicemembers or military retirees looking for civilian jobs was about six to 12 months, but with the worsening economy coupled with continuing job losses and hiring freezes, it may now even take longer," cautioned Terry Hammond, Travis TAP instructor from the Department of Labor, Employment Development Department for the state of California. "If you are not sure and prepared, don't get out until you've been through the TAP." 

The Travis TAP addresses many barriers to success and alleviates many employment-related difficulties and problems. This four-day comprehensive workshop is presented by professionally- trained facilitators and instructors. 

Day one of the workshop offers three individual personality and job skills assessments to include David Keirsey's Temperament Sorter, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or Four Lenses and Dr. John L. Holland's Self-Directed Search. Additionally, Federal Income Tax consequences and change management are also covered. 

During Days two through four, attendees will learn job-search skills, career decision-making, current occupational and labor market conditions, resume and cover letter preparation and interviewing techniques. Participants are also provided an evaluation of their employability relative to the job market. Representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs will brief on VA benefits and programs available to attendees and provide an in-depth overview into the process of how to initiate and file service-connected injuries and disabilities. 

On Day four of workshop, all attendees will speak with VA representatives who will review medical records for service-connected injuries and disabilities they may claim upon separation or retirement. 

"Regardless of the current labor market condition, Travis TAP participation is a 'win-win' situation," said Ms. Beougher. "Participants receive valuable training and information, giving them an edge over other job applicants. In fact, an independent national evaluation of the TAP estimates that servicemembers who participated in the program, on average, found their post-military job three weeks sooner than those who did not participate in TAP." 

For more information, contact the Travis Airman and Family Readiness Center at 424-2486.