TORII STATION, Okinawa, Japan- Soldiers leaving the military depend on numerous resources within the Army's Career and Alumni Program for successful transition into the civilian job market.
For soldiers at Torii Station, Japan the ACAP program offers a weeklong course that features workshops on interviewing, civilian employment and a basic resume' class in addition to transition briefs to help propel soldiers in the right direction for life after the military.
Derrick Spivey, a transition services manager for United States Army Garrison Torii Station, says to enhance a soldier's opportunity to highlight their work experience Torii's TAP offers additional help with a resume' building workshop.
"This class goes beyond the introductory class we give within the weeklong ACAP course," said Spivey. "We added a supplemental class to give specific details on how to actually build your own personal resume to help make the class more personable."
Spivey added the additional resume class was created by popular demand.
"We give out a lot of information as it pertains to trends seen in resume and employment research and found out through feedback it's just what the soldiers here wanted," explained Spivey.
Faced with continuing budget reductions the military continues to operate with fewer resources and that also includes cutting personnel numbers. Many soldiers find themselves on the front lines of trying to find a civilian job due to programs that would involuntarily separate them from the service like Qualitative Management or Qualitative Service programs.
The QMP considers senior noncommissioned officers for denial of continued service, whose performance; conduct and potential for advancement may not meet Army standards. The QSP identifies noncommissioned officers by rank for involuntary separation from active duty in order to balance specific military occupations according to the current requirements for the downsizing force.
For a few younger soldiers like Spc. Drew Bennett, a satellite systems technician for the 333rd Signal Company, they too are affected by budget reductions across the Army.
Bennett said he planned to change career fields when it came time to reenlist but the aviation jobs in the Army did not have any slots open within the next year.
"Once I received the news about not getting into the aviation field, I immediately made a decision to use my G.I. bill and go to college," explained Bennett. "Although I plan to finish my degree, I will be looking for a job until I obtain my degree, so the class helps me get prepared to enter the job market," said Bennett.
Spivey feels that soldiers can be their best advocate by ensuring they attend ACAP classes to get a jump start in the civilian life. He added that soldiers should start the ACAP transition process within the recommended timelines to be prepared to leave the Army.
"Soldiers should attend ACAP within a year of getting out the Army and two years prior to an expected retirement date," explained Spivey.
To find out more about the Army Career and Alumni Program log on to: www.acap.army.mil
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