TAP out Published April 9, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Janelle Patiño 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- In an effort to help military members prepare for their separation or retirement, the Airman and Family Readiness Center offers a seminar called Transition Assistance Program, also known as TAP. TAP is a program available for service members to get assistance in making the transition from active-duty to civilian life. "TAP will give service members and their families tools they will need," said Angela O'Connell, Community Readiness consultant. "It will help them tap into what they need to be successful in transitioning from wearing the uniform to being in civilian world." It is a five day program held monthly at the A&FRC and provides resources that service members will need in the process. "Resources include working with the Department of Labor, Veterans Administration and Small Business Administration," said Brian Bennett, community readiness technician. "Each of these organizations has a multitude of additional resources for individuals." On Nov. 21, 2012, TAP was redesigned into a mandatory program to assist service members' transition process and filling in the gaps necessary such as employment, education and small business. "It's been highlighted a lot more, and military members will now have time to go to TAP and attend briefings that will better their understanding when it comes to living in the civilian world," O'Connell said. "They are now required to attend and complete the program." Within the redesigned TAP is transition GPS, also known as Goals, Plans, Success. "GPS is one program that military members must participate in and commanders need to ensure that their military members complete so they can meet career readiness standards," said Susan S. Kelly, TAP Department of Defense special advisor. "Career readiness standards are the pivotal point for the TAP redesign." The program will help people identify and discuss their goals and how to make it happen, said O'Connell. It will help them be career ready or prepare them to enter into a higher education or start their own business. "During TAP, service members and their families will learn everything from resume writing to getting information about finance and health care benefits," she said. "After the briefings, they then get a gold card which puts them at the head of the line for any state job centers." Spouses are highly encouraged because they are an essential part of the military family, she added. "One reason why TAP was redesigned was because of a high unemployment rate for veterans," said O'Connell. "We're here to make and give tools to help better their future after separating or retiring as a family." For more information, call (509) 247-2246 or visit www.turbotap.org.