Army videos capture Fort Campbell SFL-TAP success

By Michele Vowell, Fort Campbell CourierMay 29, 2015

Army videos capture Fort Campbell SFL-TAP success
Specialist Salvador I. Gonzalez-Galen, Company D, 326th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, prepares to be interviewed by a film crew from the Army's Soldier for Life-Transition Assistance Program Human Resources Com... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- In 18 months, Spc. Salvador I. Gonzalez-Galen will be leaving the Army for the civilian world.

To prepare, the Fort Campbell Soldier in D Company, 326th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division has started the transition process at the Milton A. Lee Soldier for Life Center.

"… when I got to my unit, and my platoon sergeant found out that I was in that time zone to [leave the service], he told me to call this number and start the [transition] process," the Bastogne Soldier said.

Although he is not sure of his post-military prospects, California-native Gonzalez-Galen is researching his options through the Army's Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance Program.

"The most valuable thing I think I'm going to get out of this program is more knowledge of what's out there," the Soldier said. "I understand there's an entrepreneur class that you can take and that's something I'm considering … I think that's going to be a great benefit to me."

Gonzalez-Galen shared his transition story with a film crew from the Army's SFL-TAP Human Resources Command Transition Division office last week.

"The key to a Soldier's successful transition, is command support and a Soldier's early and frequent engagement with SFL-TAP counselors," said retired Col. Walter Herd, director of the Army's Soldier for Life-Transition Assistance Program.

The Army is in the process of rebranding from The Army Career and Alumni Program to SFL-TAP. Since Fort Campbell has completed its efforts in this initiative, the post was selected for the videos. The videos will be used for the SFL-TAP website, Armed Forces Network and social media sites.

The film crew from Fort Knox, Ky., included Zan Glover, Serco Strategic Communications director at the Army Transition Division; Joe Brogan, video/multi-media specialist and Amanda Crowdus, Serco Policy and Training director.

"[We are here] to develop 10 to 12 products that we need internally and externally, from a training standpoint -- from an awareness standpoint. That's why we came to Campbell, because we can get it all done right here," Glover said.

"[Fort Campbell is] the only installation that we know of from a program standpoint -- a headquarters standpoint -- that has embodied the entire concept of the chief of staff's mission to create a Soldier for Life center and what that encompasses."

The weeklong production started May 18 and concluded Friday focusing on activities at the SFL-TAP center and other key Fort Campbell locations. The videos will include one-on-one counselor to Soldier sessions, transition services, a job fair, interaction among Soldiers and civilian employers, re-branding efforts, as well as commander, Soldier and Family member interviews.

Glover said Fort Campbell has a "quality program" and is leading the global Army with its transition assistance efforts. "[The installation is] in the 97th percentile of reaching those mandates every single month with their throughput of Soldiers [transitioning through the program]," she said.

In 2014, more than 5,100 Fort Campbell Soldiers left the Army. Each month, Fort Campbell's SFL-TAP helps about 500 Soldiers transition from active duty service. SFL-TAP provides instructional training, job fairs, resume help and many other services for transitioning service members. The goal of the program is to prepare these Soldiers before they transition from active duty into the civilian sector.

"Our goal is to have every Soldier who leaves the Army prepared to leave the Army," said Transition Assistance Manager Harold Riggins. "Whether it be college bound, starting their own business or moving into the job market, we want them ready. Our goal is to have them enrolled in college or to have a job lined up before they ever leave the Army. We want them walking out of the military ready, prepared and connected with their state and federal veterans benefits."

Crowdus said Fort Campbell succeeds with high levels of support and collaboration with the command group, agencies within SFL-TAP, as well as outside agencies.

"It all works in tandem," she said. "If there's one piece of that, that falls out of sync, then it affects Soldiers coming in on time to really allow them the full benefit from the program and from services. You have to have that receptive climate and the marketing and communication to reinforce this concept. For this program to remain successful, the command, staff and Soldier must work together and be accountable for transition activities.

"So, when you have a command climate that is allowing the Soldier to come in … that means that the SFL-TAP staff can spend more time doing those high-touch services -- personal services -- for Soldiers in helping them with their individual transition plan … helping them to translate their military skills to civilian skills," Crowdus added.

Crowdus noted that having a centralized location for all of the transition programs, classrooms and resources at 5661 Screaming Eagle Blvd., creates "the environment for the transition program to excel and for that mission to be carried out for a large installation like Fort Campbell."

"It's a recipe for success," she said.

Glover added, "It's a unique environment. They've got all the pieces of the puzzle figured out … They've got the command environment. They have the right people on the bus and they're well-trained. They are executing and they're delivering quality transition services with a caring environment."

Riggins credits dozens of individuals, 11 organizations and the post command who support SFL-TAP at Fort Campbell.

"We've got a great program here. We have it because of the people that work here every day," he said. "We have it because of [Garrison Commander] Col. [David] "Buck" Dellinger, who has pretty much given us everything [we need]. The [leadership] understand[s] what we're trying to do … They bend over backwards. This film [production] is a testament to what everyone on this post is trying to do."

Riggins said he is looking forward to seeing the videos showcasing the program and Fort Campbell.

"They're here because of [my folks'] accomplishments," he said.

"A couple of months from now to be able to see a video that was produced because of what they do today, is awesome."

As for Gonzalez-Galen, who will be featured in at least one video, the process continues until he transitions from active duty in August 2016.

"What I would tell my peers is start [transitioning] as soon as you can. Get the ball rolling," he said. "There's a lot of things you can do. The sooner you get out there, the better it is for you … Get started and see what you want to do."

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