Preparation - Part One

Set yourself up for future success

If you want to be successful in your transition you will need to work at it. Spend the time and put forth extra effort to ensure you can continue to successfully provide for yourself and your loved ones.

Anyone who has started the transition process within the last year and a half should be familiar with the time line and proposed schedule the official channels present to everyone who attends the briefings.

Here's the current recommendation from the US Army's Soldier For Life Transition Assistance Program:

Preseparation Timeline

24 - 12 Months Prior to Transition (Retirees Only)
Complete Preseparation Counseling
Complete Initial Counseling
Begin Individual Transition Plan (ITP)
Register on eBenefits
18 - 12 Months Prior to Transition (Non-Retirees)
Complete Preseparation Counseling
Complete Initial Counseling
Begin Individual Transition Plan (ITP)
Register on eBenefits
15 - 12 Months Prior to Transition
Complete MOS Crosswalk/Gap Analysis
Complete Standardized Individual Assessment
Identify requirements for Certification/ Licensure
12 - 9 Months Prior to Transition
Complete DOL Employment Workshop and obtain DOL Gold Card
9 - 6 Months Prior to Transition
Attend VA Benefits Briefings I and II
6 - 5 Months Prior to Transition
Complete Resume of Choice
5 - 4 Months Prior to Transition
Complete 12-Month Post Separation Budget
No Later Than 3 Months Prior to Transition
Complete DD Form 2958 (Capstone)

That's a list of things you have to get done because the Department of Defense says so. I believe this leads to a feeling of contempt for many Soldiers because over the years mandatory has become synonymous with "voluntold", AR 350-1 compliance, Charge of Quarters, Staff Duty, Road Guard, flu-shots, area beautification, etc.

Accomplishing the tasks in the above list in a shorter amount of time in order to "check the block" and get it over with makes sense only if there is a pressing reason you don't need to be bothered figuring out where you, your family and all your collective belongings are going to reside. How long will you be able to maintain your current lifestyle if you don't have a job lined up prior to your separation?

Do you have $5,000 set aside to cover the spread while you wait for your final paycheck to clear DFAS and the first check from your new job clears the bank?

The finance worksheet they provide you is designed to help you take an honest look at what it is going to cost to maintain your current living standards. Did you fill the worksheet out using your latest available transaction statements from your checking account, or did you adjust the numbers as you went along to make things look better than they may eventually be?

The resume writing classes are a good start to selling yourself to potential employers. Have you continued to improve your resume, send it out for additional review, compare your resume to others in the career field you are going transition into? Did you spend a few hours looking at recent resume trends in your area of expertise? Can you talk about yourself and your accomplishments without reading from a script? Do you have the ability to answer follow up questions?

Attend the Career Skills Program briefs as soon as you can. There are a number of organizations that will train you in something you have an interest in, get your name in front of hiring managers and set you up for success - usually at no cost to you. Training with them is your place of duty during the week.

These programs are put together for your benefit. Take advantage of them. Focus on the end result and make good use of the resources that all of these people and organizations have made available to you.

All you have to do is apply yourself.