In addition to the Department of Defense Transition GPS (Goals, Plans, Success), TAPS (Transition Assistance Program) or Soldier For Life training, Brooke Goldberg, of the Military Officers Association of America, provided information on other valuable transition tools available to military families:
Military OneSource (www.militaryonesource.mil) – the Department of Defense’s on-line resource site features lots of transition information and offers personal counseling with experts on many topics, from employment to family finances/budgeting. The web format allows military spouses and service members to use this resource on their own time – helpful when following Goldberg’s ‘be preparing’ tip. She encouraged spouses to visit Military OneSource often while still on active duty because you will have only 180 days of access post separation from service.
Installation Financial Assistance programs can help families be financially prepared for transition. If you aren’t able to attend a TAPS class on finance, Goldberg suggested making an appointment with your installation financial assistance office for one on one counseling. She also noted that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau now offers counseling through the Veterans Affairs Administration. For more information on the CFPB program go to www.consumerfinance.gov.
The Department of Labor offers free assistance to veterans at any of their offices around the country. Service members and their spouses should visit www.dol.gov/vets to learn more.
Military organizations such as MOAA, Association of the United States Army, Air Force Association or others offer transition resources and networking opportunities, noted Goldberg. You may have to pay a membership fee to get access to assistance, but Goldberg said to consider it an investment in your future success.
The Veterans Affairs Administration also offers transition assistance to those service members who are eligible. More information is at www.va.gov.
