The Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act Transition Assistance Program requirements became effective on October 1, 2019.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19 NDAA) was signed into law on August 13, 2018 and called for significant changes to TAP. This legislation implemented new requirements for all service members with at least 180 continuous days or more on active duty.
The process begins with an individualized Initial Counseling session which includes the completion of a self-assessment. The self-assessment will establish the level of transition services required.
An additional change is that all Reserve Members must also complete the DoD Day, even if the member has full time employment. The DoD Day workshop includes Resilient Transitions, Personal Financial, and the Military Occupational Codes Crosswalk modules.
To be TAP compliant, all members on orders for 180 consecutive days or more must complete the following before the end of their orders:
Completion of IC
-Must be completed in person or virtually with TAP counselor
Completion of Pre-separation Counseling (Good for 5 years)
-Can be completed at Airman and Family Readiness offices or via telephonically with TAP counselor
Completion of DoD Day
-Can be completed at Active Duty Airman and Family Readiness offices or through Joint Knowledge Online
VA Benefits and Services Briefing (Good for 3 years)
-Can be completed at Active Duty Airman and Family Readiness offices or through JKO
Department of Labor Workshop (Exempt with full time employment, Full time registration in school, or previously attended)
-Can be completed at Active Duty Airman and Family Readiness offices or through JKO
Any required two-day tracks (Based on Tier/Self-Assessment)
Completion of Capstone
-Can be completed in person or via email/telephonically with TAP counselor
-Commander’s signature required
The Office of the Secretary of Defense incorporated the FY19 NDAA mandates into DoDI 1332.35, Transition Assistance Program for Military Personnel and released it on September 26, 2019. The HQ AFRC Transition Assistance team is working diligently to supplement the instruction with Air Force-specific policy for Reserve members.
For any TAP specific questions, members may contact the Airman & Family Readiness staff or Mandie Holovach, HQ AFRC Transition Assistance Program Manager at DSN 497-1233 .