The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information, resources, and tools to service members and their loved ones to help prepare for the move from military to civilian life. Service members begin TAP one year prior to separation, or two years prior to retiring.

The VA portion of TAP is a one-day, in-person course called VA Benefits and Services. Led by VA Benefits Advisors, the course helps you understand how to navigate VA and the benefits and services you have earned through your military career. The course offers interactive exercises, real examples, and covers topics important to you like Family support, disability compensation, education, and health care benefits.

Service members will also receive an orientation of the VA Health Care.

NOTE: Spouses and Family members are permitted and encouraged to attend any or all of the briefings with the Service member.

Air Force Reserve Service members on drill status may attend the VA Benefits Briefings on a space-available basis, as they may qualify for some VA benefits. Service members who will apply for disability compensation from the VA, or want to know for which benefits they are eligible, need to contact their respective Regional Benefit Office for more information or visit the eBenefits website. Also, your Airman and Family Readiness Center will help you identify availability of the VA Benefits Briefings.

The VA Benefits and Services consists of six modules:

• Module 1: Navigating Your Journey
  • Your Transition Journey
• Module 2: Maintaining Your Health
  • VA Whole Health
  • VA Health Care Services
  • Family Support
  • VA Mental Health Care Services
  • Health Care Tools
  • Making Informed Decisions
  • Accessing VA Health Care
• Module 3: Supporting Yourself and Your Family
  • Service-connected Disabilities
  • Life Insurance Benefits
  • Burial and Memorial Benefits
  • Monetary Benefits for Survivors
  • Veterans Benefits Banking Program
• Module 4: Getting Career Ready
  • Education and Training Resources
  • Career and Employment Resources
  • Summary of Education Benefits
• Module 5: Finding a Place to Live and Community Resources
  • Comparing Locations
  • VA Home Loan Benefit
  • Discovering Housing Options
  • State and Local Benefits
  • Integrating into your Community
  • Community Support for Veterans
  • Personal Resources for Ongoing Support
• Module 6: Summary and Review
  • Summary and Review

Your Military and Family Readiness Center will help you identify availability of the VA Benefits and Services.

The following links are provided for more information about the VA Benefits Briefings:

VA Benefits Briefings information page: https://www.benefits.va.gov/transition/tap.asp

VA Health Care web portal: https://www.va.gov/health/

Air Force TAP Program: https://www.afpc.af.mil/Airman-and-Family/Transition-Assistance-Program/

DoD TAP Program: https://www.dodtap.mil/dodtap/app/home

DoD TAP Curriculum: https://www.dodtap.mil/dodtap/app/transition/core_curriculum

VA TAP Curriculum online: https://jkodirect.jten.mil/Atlas2/page/login/Login.jsf

VA Benefits and Services Participant Guide (Active Duty): https://benefits.va.gov/TRANSITION/docs/VA-Benefits-Participant-Guide.pdf#

VA Benefits and Services Participant Guide (Reserve Components): https://benefits.va.gov/TRANSITION/docs/VA-Benefits-Participant-Guide-National-Guard-Reserve.pdf#

The following links are provided for further reference:

Department of Labor Transition Assistance: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/tap

MyAirForceBenefits Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Fact Sheet: https://www.myairforcebenefits.us.af.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/DoD-Transition-Assistance-Program-(DoD-TAP)

Online resource for Americans with disabilities: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/disability/ada

Federal Civil Service job websites:

USAJOBS website: https://www.usajobs.gov/

Air Force Personnel homepage: https://www.afpc.af.mil/Airman-and-Family/Employment-Resources/

Air Force Civilian Jobs: https://afciviliancareers.com