The Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is the Army's Transition Program responsible for providing soldiers with the counseling, employment and education workshops, and seminars required to achieve the law and policy Career Readiness Standards (CRS) mandated compliance. TAP has undergone a re-engineering in order to "prepare" and "connect" soldiers to ensure the greatest opportunities for successful personal and career achievement upon transition from active duty. 

All soldiers must begin the TAP process no later than 365 days prior to the date of their anticipated transition from active duty. Reserve component Soldiers with more than 180 days of continuous service but less than 365 days of mobilization must complete the self-assessment and individualized initial counseling during pre-mobilization, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Starting August 29, 2022, all service members planning to transition must register online and complete a self-assessment before contacting their local TAP Center or Virtual Center. Click here to access the TAP Portal. 

All soldiers completing 180 days or more of continuous active duty service are required to meet CRS compliance. Eligible soldiers can begin receiving transition counseling and employment assistance 18 months prior to transitioning from active duty or 24 months prior to retirement.

Active duty Soldiers and their eligible family members may participate in TAP services up to 365 days following their release from active duty. If retiring, TAP services can be initiated by the soldier and eligible family members up to 24 months prior to retirement date and eligibility remains for life.

Recommended timeline to receive maximum benefit from program:

• 12-18 months:
  • Individualized Initial Counseling and Self-Assessment *must be done first*
  • Pre-Separation Counseling
• 12-15 months:
  • Army Day
    • MY Transition
    • MOS Crosswalk
    • Financial Planning for Transition
• 9-12 months:
  • DOL Employment Fundamentals
• 7-9 months:
  • VA Benefits & Services with eBenefits Registration
• 4-7 months:
  
  • Continuum of Military Service Counseling (AC Only)
• 4-6 months:
  • Career Tracks
  • Capstone *must be done last*

The program has counselors and staff world-wide located on most Army installations. The TAP Virtual Center is available by visiting https://www.armytap.army.mil/ 24-hour / 7-days a week, minus three holidays a year, or by contacting 1-800-325-4715.

DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty

This form is required to determine eligibility for VA programs and for many benefits offered by Federal and State agencies. The original DD Form 214 must be kept safe and certified copies are recommended.

If the original is lost or misplaced, a replacement can be obtained by writing to the National Personnel Records Center or by log-on to:
https://www.archives.gov/veterans

For more information about the Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP), visit: 
https://www.armytap.army.mil/