Capstone gauges transition readiness

By Maureen Rose, IMCOMDecember 2, 2013

ACAP poster
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Paperwork
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Knox conducted its pilot Capstone project Nov. 21 in Graham Hall, ushering about 50 Soldiers through a collection of stations manned by subject matter experts, whose only mission was to help those men and women transition into civilian life.

Although it resembled the layout of Soldier Readiness Processing, the event was more like civilian readiness processing. The Army Career Alumni Program, as it's currently called, has been expanded lately to incorporate changes mandated by the Veterans Opportunity to Work legislation. The Capstone pilot was being tested to determine if the program needs any fine tuning and to gauge how much time was needed for Soldiers to complete their final checklist. The capstone will be the final step in their ACAP journey.

"This is the last chance for these Soldiers to touch base with our SMEs and check to ensure our databases are correct so we can follow up with them later," said Frank Johnston, ACAP's manager at Fort Knox. "Some of these folks only have 10 days left in the Army to ensure they have checked all the boxes."

The Capstone event was a "test drive," according to Mike Carroll, the garrison's director of Human Resources, which oversees the Knox ACAP.

Naomi Lynch, Installation Management Command's ACAP chief, was present to observe the pilot. She described the Capstone as a quality assurance check.

With the enactment of VOW, the transition program now mandates that Soldiers participate in some of ACAP's courses. The subject matter experts who offer various training throughout ACAP now encourage Soldiers to "aggressively prepare" for the transition that most don't anticipate or prepare for adequately when left to their own devices.

Lynch explained the many facets involved for the major changes involved in leaving the green suits behind.

"Many Soldiers will be going to college for the first time, some are returning to finish a degree. Some are going to active component to reserve or Guard units. Transition is complex, stressful and it becomes a family affair," she said. ACAP courses are available to family members, Department of the Army civilians, contractors, those retiring for medical reasons as well as any who are separating from service.

Some of the core tasks that all Soldiers will need to complete include developing an individual transition plan, meeting career readiness standards and creating a budget. Due to the increase in mandatory courses, the VOW also stipulates that Soldiers must initiate contact with their local ACAP no later than 12 months from their separation dates but allows them to begin as much as two years in advance of that point.

ACAP beneficiaries can pursue three different tracks, Carroll said. Depending on Soldiers' goals, they can pursue employment/resume training, education counseling or small business ownership. If they desire, Soldiers can switch tracks or even complete all three. By the time they're ready to leave active duty, Soldiers may have seen representatives from Department of Labor, Veterans Affairs, Army Community Services, Army Continuing Education, retention counselors and others.

Rose Marie Tinker, with the transition program at Human Resources Command, which writes the guidance for ACAP, said it's amazing how many Soldiers in the past turned down the ACAP help.

If Soldiers had to pay employment counselors, they would discover how expensive those services are.

"Unfortunately, many think because the service is free, it doesn't have value," she said. "That's really not true; it isn't free at all. The government pays a significant price to ensure these services are available to their Soldiers."

According to Sgt. David Williams, with the 19th Engineer Battalion, the program is helpful.

"It's definitely worth your time; I'm already signed up for school, I have my eligibility certificates, I've started my VA claims and my resume is immaculate compared to what it looked like at first," he said. With just three weeks left on active duty, Williams said he has been working with ACAP for about four months.

"It's awesome," he added.

A senior noncommissioned office, Sgt. 1st Class Frank McConnell said he got out of the Army once before in 1992 and received very little assistance with his transition. That experience was nothing like his current situation, he explained. He's been working with the transition program for the past six months and has taken all three tracks. Although he's still working on an advanced college degree, McConnell is encouraged.

"I'm already getting job offers stemming from the job fair here in September," he said.

To begin your ACAP journey, call the Knox office at(502) 624-5222 or 5227.