Transition TAP

UPDATED/VERIFIED MAR 12, 2026

TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP)

TAP provides separating/retiring service members and their families with the skills, tools and self-confidence necessary to successfully re-enter into the civilian work force, pursue higher education, or technical training. The goal of the program is to provide professional career development resources throughout the military career life cycle (MLC).

TAP KEY COMPONENTS

(All TAP Event Classes Listing)

1. Mandatory Initial Counseling (IC)/self-assessment to be completed 365 days or more prior to release from active duty.
2. Mandatory Pre-Separation counseling at least 365 days or more prior to release from active duty. Updated Pre-Separation Guides and Presentation are available under Transition Tools.
3. Mandatory TAP Core Curriculum:

Attendance at DoD Transition Day (My Transition, Military Occupation Code crosswalk, and Financial planning).
Veterans Administration Benefits and Service brief
Department of Labor (DoL) One-day Employment Workshop

4. Selection of Two-Day Track: Sailors assigned Tier I and II may be waived from participating. Tier III assigned personnel must select at least one track.

Employment Track: Employment Workshop
Education Track: Managing Your (my) Education
Vocational Track: Career and Credential Exploration
Entrepreneurship Track: Boots to Business

5. Mandatory CAPSTONE event which must be completed no later than 90 days prior to separation to verify you have met CRS and received the transition services requested.

MANDATORY CAREER READINESS STANDARDS
(Applicable to all civilian career paths)

Self-Assessment/Individual Transition Plan
Post-Transition Financial Plan
eBenefits registration
Continuum of Military Service brief (AC only)
Gap Analysis or verification of employment
Completed Resume or provide Verification of employment (based on track selected)
Comparison of Technical Institutions (based on track selected)
Comparison of College/Universities (based on track selected)

TAP AND e-FORM TRAINING (18Jan23)

INDIVIDUAL TRANSITION PLAN (ITP) (31Oct19)

GUIDANCE

DoDI 1332.35              TAP for Military Personnel (26Sep19)
DD Form 2875             System Authorization Form (SAAR) (May 22) – DMDC Access
(If you are having problems downloading this form, right-click on the link to the file and select "Save Link As", then open the form with Adobe Acrobat. When it opens click on the yellow "Enable Features" bar to access the form. )
OPNAVINST 1900.2D   TAP (1May23)