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VA » Veterans Benefits Administration » Outreach, Transition and Economic Development » Your VA Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

Outreach, Transition and Economic Development

Your VA Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

About 200,000 Service members transition to civilian life each year. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information, resources, and tools to Service members and their loved ones to help prepare for the move from military to civilian life. Service members begin TAP one year prior to separation, or two years prior to retiring. Watch the video above to see how VA TAP helps Service members transition from military to civilian life.

The VA portion of TAP is a one-day, in-person course called VA Benefits and Services. Led by VA Benefits Advisors, the course helps you understand how to navigate VA and the benefits and services you’ve earned through your military career. The course offers interactive exercises, real examples, and covers topics important to you like family support, disability compensation, education, and health care benefits.

Online Course Instructions

The VA Benefits and Services course is now available online through TAPevents.mil to transitioning service members, Veterans, family members, and caregivers. You do not need to be on a CAC-enabled device to access the course.

If you are taking the VA Benefits and Services course as part of a mandatory TAP requirement, you must register for the course using your CAC or by entering your DOD Identification and providing all required information to receive credit. Select “Core Requirements” under TAP Curriculum to find the course.

These former participants in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) describe their realities of transitioning to civilian life and anecdotal lessons learned to promote the value of the program. TAP helps transitioning service members become more adaptable to civilian life, offers resources for emotional, employment and financial stability and creates a support network that can provide a smooth transition for a Veteran and their family.