DISCLAIMER: This is from the perspective of a mid-level, career-oriented woman who did not have the luxury of a full retirement, becoming a full-time dependent, or going back to school. I wanted and needed to find a job and found the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) at Hill Air Force Base useless. Here's why:
1. TAP at Hill was designed for the service member with over 20 years of experience (retirees entitled to benefits, etc.) and those service members with less than two years (force-shaped, or otherwise, with possible criminal records). The class should be broken up into three shorter courses that better suit the different categories of transitioning military members (e.g. entry-level, mid-level, executive, etc.) so as to be more in line with the civilian world.
2. The TAP counselors give you all of the information they plan to cover electronically during pre-counseling and on the first day. The course simply holds your hand as you experience the numbing effects of death by PowerPoint.
1. TAP at Hill was designed for the service member with over 20 years of experience (retirees entitled to benefits, etc.) and those service members with less than two years (force-shaped, or otherwise, with possible criminal records). The class should be broken up into three shorter courses that better suit the different categories of transitioning military members (e.g. entry-level, mid-level, executive, etc.) so as to be more in line with the civilian world.
2. The TAP counselors give you all of the information they plan to cover electronically during pre-counseling and on the first day. The course simply holds your hand as you experience the numbing effects of death by PowerPoint.
Screenshot: Why am I listening to you read to me?
Screenshot: Seriously, you added nothing of value.
3. There are such things as dumb questions. I hate to break this to you, but your very specific question about your very specific situation should wait to be asked in-between the numbing PowerPoint presentations.
4. Don't take notes. They will only infuriate you since you have to Google everything later anyways because you're not staying in Utah or applying to USAJOBS.gov.
Screenshot: I really tried to follow along...this was the sum total of my efforts over five days.
5. TAP should not be your wake-up call that your resume stinks or you need more schooling for your next career. If you need a job and waited to start the process until you went to TAP, then you really need to be surfing the Internet for temporary work, certification courses, housing, etc. The saying holds true even as you're leaving Active Duty: no one takes care of you like you. So take the 40 hours allotted for this class and get professional help online or via email. Build online profiles. Do something. Anything. Don't just sit there and worry. Worry does you no good. Do the work.
NOTE: I did provide this feedback throughout the course, but would be foolish to believe that anyone took action.
Other Tips:
1. Do not fight with the "career counselor" who has known nothing but government service when he tells you to wear a sundress for interviews.
2. Do not tell that same "career counselor" to stop repeatedly harassing the pretty blonde lieutenant in front of you during the class.
3. Do not argue with the other "career counselor" who tells you LinkedIn.com is worthless and will never land you a job.
4. Make sure you charge ALL of your Internet-surfing devices. Better yet, bring the cables...you're going to need them.
5. Network with the other people in your class. Chances are that they are all anxious like you and are looking for insider information on what works or doesn't work. SHARE SHARE SHARE your experiences to date.
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