Transition Assistance Program provides marketable skills and knowledge Published April 30, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Terrence Clyburn 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE DIX LAKEHURST -- The Transition Assistance Program helps equip service members with the skills and knowledge to market themselves for employment in the civilian sector. The Airman and Family Readiness Office schedules TAP sessions as a mandatory requirement for service members who have been on active duty orders for over 180 days. However, anyone can request one-on-one assistance. "TAP is a wonderful program for transitioning Airmen," said Judith Pates, 514th Force Support Squadron, Airman and Family Readiness director. "They are gaining the needed skills to go into the civilian sector and to be employable." TAP is composed of pre-separation counseling, Veteran Affairs briefing, financial briefing, employment skills and capstone. The sessions culminate to help make veterans competitive in the employment market. "I have heard lots of positive feedback from our Airmen that TAP is well worth the time to attend to gain these skills," Pates said. "Members have come back to my office with stories of finding employment, getting back on track financially and obtaining those family milestones of buying their first home." Employed service members can attend the one-day VA briefing and get all TAP requirements at once. The VA briefings are scheduled one Friday every month in conjunction with a Unit Training Assembly weekend. Many of the resources highlighted in the VA briefing session can be found on www.ebenefits.va.gov, where Veterans can access information about their benefits. The VA briefing is open to all military members, retirees and their spouses, significant others, and parents. "We encourage retiring members to attend these briefings, ask questions about their VA benefits and give any words of wisdom to the next generation of Airmen," said Pates. The VA briefings are held in building 2216 auditorium from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the Airman and Family Readiness Office should be notified to attend. Beyond TAP, service members have access to a newly formed Military Career Council for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The council will host skill-building workshops, focusing on resume writing, job-fair readiness and interview preparation. They will advertise all TAP events, job fairs and career workshops across JBMDL in one calendar, in one location for all branches of services and components. "We are working together to ensure all of our service members and their families have access to information, resources and skill building needed to obtain employment and build careers," said Mrs. Pates TAP is just one of many programs implemented to help Service members reintegrate into the civilian world. There are plenty of resources in place to ensure service members can improve their quality of life. For any additional questions or to register to attend a session email Judith Pates at judith.pates@us.af.mil or call (609) 754-8229.