FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Military members should plan ahead in order to have successful transitions from the Armed Forces into civilian careers.
Here's the 12-step plan to successful transitioning:
* Start the Army Career and Alumni Program process early. Make a pre-separation briefing one year before end of service and two years before retirement effective dates.
* Include your Family in your transition planning. Adult Family members are eligible for services, too.
* Attend your scheduled pre-separation briefing with ACAP.
* Attend VA benefits briefings and Disability Transition Assistance Program briefings for servicemembers who believe their VA disabilities will be rated at 20 percent or more.
* Attend a Transition Assistance Program Employment Workshop and a seminar on applying for federal jobs.
* Schedule your ETS or retirement physical as early as possible.
* Make a draft copy of your private sector rAfAsumAfA.
* Make an appointment with an ACAP counselor to review or get help with your rAfAsumAfA.
* Make an appointment with an ACAP Counselor to complete a Resumix RAfAsumAfA.
* Get copies of your medical records after your ETS or retirement physical is complete.
* Make an appointment with a VA or DAV Veteran Service Officer to get help filing your Disability claim. File your VA disability claim within 60-180 days before your ETS or retirement date. Don't send any other documents after your initial claim until it is finalized. Doing so will cause your file to be re-started each time a new document is received and take much longer to finalize.
* Research and network.
For more information about beginning a successful transition from the military, call the ACAP Center at 255-3932 or visit Rm. 185 in Bldg. 5700.
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