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TAP Timeline Generator

DoDI 1332.35

Your personalized Transition Assistance Program schedule from separation date to first VA payment.

Your separation / retirement

364 days from today

Critical dates

Mandatory TAP start

May 12, 2026

Capstone (T-90)

February 11, 2027

Separation

May 12, 2027

Full TAP timeline

Initial Counseling / Eligibility starts

May 12, 2026 · T-365 days · Past

Non-retirement separators must begin TAP at 12 months prior to separation.

Mandatory TAP Start

May 12, 2026 · T-365 days · Past

Per DoDI 1332.35 — TAP MUST begin no later than 365 days before separation. Submit your initial counseling request to your unit Transition Counselor.

Pre-Separation Counseling Window

August 15, 2026 · T-270 days · Future

Complete DD-2648 (Pre-Separation Counseling Checklist) with your Transition Counselor between 365 and 180 days prior. This drives the rest of your TAP curriculum.

Career Path Decision

September 14, 2026 · T-240 days · Future

Choose your TAP 2-Day Career Track: Employment, Education, Vocational Training, or Entrepreneurship. You attend ONE track but can revisit alternates separately.

Core TAP Curriculum

October 14, 2026 · T-210 days · Future

3-day DOL Employment Workshop + 2-day VA Benefits Briefing + 1-day Financial Planning Seminar. These can be in-person or virtual depending on your installation. ALL members must attend regardless of career intent.

Two-Day Career Track

November 13, 2026 · T-180 days · Future

Selected: Employment Track (DOL). Run by DOL, DOEd, SBA, or VA depending on track. Bring laptop and orders.

Begin SkillBridge Application (if interested)

January 12, 2027 · T-120 days · Future

SkillBridge approval window typically 60-180 days. Apply directly to a sponsoring civilian employer through the DoD SkillBridge website (skillbridge.osd.mil). Your command must approve.

VA Disability Claim — BDD Filing Window

January 12, 2027 · T-120 days · Future

File a Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claim 180-90 days before separation. BDD claims process in 60-120 days, faster than post-separation. File at va.gov/disability or with a VSO.

Capstone Event — Career Readiness Standards verification

February 11, 2027 · T-90 days · Future

Required final TAP event. You demonstrate completion of Career Readiness Standards (CRS) including ITP, budget, resume, LinkedIn profile, network of references, and post-service plan. Pass = TAP complete. Fail = warm handover to American Job Center or VA.

Final Out-Processing

March 13, 2027 · T-60 days · Future

Schedule final medical, dental, finance out-processing. Verify your eBenefits VA Disability claim status. Cancel base housing, transfer school records, plan terminal leave.

Terminal Leave Begins (typical)

April 12, 2027 · T-30 days · Future

Submit terminal leave on DA Form 31 (or service equivalent). Typically begins 30 days prior so you start civilian role on Day 1 after separation date. Calculate sell-back vs use-or-lose on the /leave-calculator.

SEPARATION / RETIREMENT DAY

May 12, 2027 · T+0 days · Future

DD-214 issued. Pay stops. TRICARE Active Duty ends at midnight. Begin civilian medical (COBRA-equivalent TRICARE Transition Assistance Management Program — 180 days) and / or VA care if applicable.

VA Disability First Payment (if approved)

August 10, 2027 · T+90 days · Future

Approved VA disability claims typically pay within 60-120 days of separation (faster if BDD-filed). Retroactive pay flows back to your claim filing date (or day-after-separation if BDD).

TAMP TRICARE Ends

November 8, 2027 · T+180 days · Future

Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) provides 180 days of TRICARE coverage post-separation. After 180 days, you need TRICARE Reserve Select (if Reserve/Guard), TRICARE Retired Reserve, full retiree TRICARE (if retiring at 20+), or civilian healthcare.

What TAP is, and what changed in 2019

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is the DoD-mandated separation preparation curriculum required for ALL service members preparing for separation, retirement, or release from active duty (REFRAD). Authority is the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 and DoDI 1332.35.

The 2019 redesign shifted TAP from a "1-week class" model to a year-long, milestone-driven program with: counseling, career-track classes, and a final Capstone event. The redesign was driven by feedback that the prior model was too crammed into the final weeks and members weren't actually prepared.

You cannot skip TAP. Failure to complete the Career Readiness Standards (CRS) by the Capstone event triggers a "warm handover" to a Department of Labor American Job Center and/or VA — your DD-214 is not held up, but your separation paperwork notes incomplete TAP.

The 4 Career Tracks — pick one (or attend more)

  • Employment Track (DOL). The default and most common. 2 days. Covers resume writing, federal hiring preference (Veterans' Preference + 5/10-point eligible), interview prep, networking. Most members benefit.
  • Education Track (DOEd). For members planning degree programs post-separation. 2 days. Covers GI Bill use, school comparison, application strategies, transfer credit. Best for E-3 to E-5 with associate or no degree.
  • Vocational Training Track (DOL). For members targeting trade/apprenticeship/certificate careers. 2 days. Covers identifying CTE programs, apprenticeship opportunities, OJT use of GI Bill.
  • Entrepreneurship Track (SBA Boots to Business). 2 days. Covers business plan, financing (SBA loans + Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business), federal contracting set-aside opportunities. Highly valuable if you've considered self-employment.

You attend ONE track during your mandatory window, but you can request to attend additional tracks separately.Some members successfully complete all 4 over their final year — recommended for senior NCOs and officers exploring multiple paths.

Service-specific implementations

  • Army: Soldier for Life — Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP). Each installation has an SFL-TAP center.
  • Navy / Marine Corps: Transition GPS (Goals, Plans, Success). Run by Fleet & Family Support Centers (FFSC) / Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS).
  • Air Force / Space Force: TAP. Run by Airman & Family Readiness Centers (A&FRC).
  • Coast Guard: Coast Guard Transition Assistance Program. Run by USCG Work-Life Centers.

Curriculum content is DoD-standardized (DOL teaches the same Employment Track at every base). What varies is scheduling, registration platform, and supplementary services. Check your installation's TAP/SFL-TAP/FFSC/A&FRC website for the local calendar.

Capstone — what to bring to "pass"

The Capstone Event at T-90 is when your Transition Counselor verifies you've met Career Readiness Standards (CRS). To walk in confident, bring:

  • Individual Transition Plan (ITP) — your written plan with goals, timeline, and next steps
  • Updated resume matched to your target career track
  • 12-month post-separation budget — income (job offer, GI Bill BAH, VA disability if approved, pension if retiring) vs expenses
  • LinkedIn profile set up and connected to 50+ veterans + civilian professionals in your target field
  • Job application evidence — at least 5-10 applications submitted, plus interview reports if any
  • Confirmation of post-separation healthcare plan (employer plan, TAMP, VA, or civilian)
  • Career-track certificate from your 2-day session

The "warm handover": If you don't meet CRS at Capstone, you're not blocked from separation. Instead, your counselor connects you to the appropriate community partner (American Job Center, VA Vet Center, SBA Boots to Business follow-up) to continue help after you separate. This is recorded but not punitive.

VA Disability claim — file BDD, not after

Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) lets you file your VA disability claim 180-90 days BEFORE separation. Advantages over post-separation filing:

  • BDD claims are typically decided 60-120 days from filing (vs 130-180 days for post-separation)
  • Retroactive pay flows to the day AFTER your separation date (no gap)
  • You're still active duty during exams, so the VA can pull your active-duty medical records directly
  • Claims rate decisions are issued in writing BEFORE separation, so you know your monthly VA comp before transitioning

File at va.gov/disability or with a Veterans Service Organization (VSO — American Legion, VFW, DAV, MOAA — free service). VSOs significantly increase approval rates and reduce delays.

If you missed the BDD window: File a standard "Fully Developed Claim" within 180 days of separation to preserve effective-date benefits. After 180 days, retroactive pay can be lost.

SkillBridge — the 6-month free internship at the end

SkillBridge is a DoD program (DoDI 1322.29) that authorizes service members to participate in civilian internships, apprenticeships, or training during their final 6 months of service. The catch is the member must have command approval AND the civilian sponsor cannot pay them (the government still pays full military RMC).

Apply at skillbridge.osd.mil. Browse the directory of sponsor companies; many of the biggest civilian employers (Amazon, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop, Anheuser-Busch, etc.) participate. The internship counts as Career Track Equivalent for TAP purposes, and you stay on full pay/benefits the whole time.

Timing: Apply 120-180 days before your separation date. SkillBridge typically runs 60-180 days. SkillBridge is NOT terminal leave — you remain on active duty, drawing pay, with all military benefits.

FAQ

TAP — frequently asked questions

When does TAP start?
For non-retirement separators: TAP MUST begin no later than 365 days before separation per DoDI 1332.35. For retirement-eligible members (20+ YOS): TAP may begin 24 months prior to retirement date. Authority: VOW Act (PL 112-56) and DoDI 1332.35.
Can I skip TAP?
No. TAP is mandatory for all separating service members per DoDI 1332.35. If you fail to meet Career Readiness Standards by the Capstone Event (T-90), you are not blocked from separation — but you receive a "warm handover" to the appropriate community partner (American Job Center, VA Vet Center, SBA) for follow-up assistance.
What are the 4 TAP Career Tracks?
Employment Track (DOL — most common), Education Track (DOEd — for degree-bound), Vocational Training Track (DOL — trades/apprenticeship), and Entrepreneurship Track (SBA Boots to Business — self-employment). You attend ONE during the mandatory window but can request additional tracks separately.
What is the Capstone Event?
Required final TAP event held at T-90 days prior to separation. Your Transition Counselor verifies you meet Career Readiness Standards (CRS): completed ITP, budget, resume, LinkedIn, job applications/offers, healthcare plan, etc. Pass = TAP complete on your DD-214. Fail = warm handover, but separation still proceeds on schedule.
Should I file VA disability before separation?
Yes — file under the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program 180-90 days before separation. Advantages: faster decision (60-120 days vs 130-180 post-separation), retroactive pay flows to the day after separation (no gap), VA can pull active-duty medical records directly. File at va.gov/disability or with a free VSO (American Legion, VFW, DAV, MOAA).
Can I do SkillBridge as part of TAP?
Yes — SkillBridge (DoDI 1322.29) is a separate program that lets you do a civilian internship during your final 6 months while drawing full military pay. SkillBridge typically runs 60-180 days, must be approved by your command, and pays you military RMC throughout. Apply at skillbridge.osd.mil. Counts toward TAP Career Track equivalency in most services.
When does my TRICARE end?
Active-duty TRICARE ends at midnight on your separation date. The Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) provides 180 days of TRICARE coverage post-separation. After 180 days, you need TRICARE Reserve Select (for Reservists), TRICARE Retired Reserve (for gray-area), full retiree TRICARE (for 20+ retirees), or civilian healthcare. Plan ahead.
What is the difference between separation and retirement TAP?
Both follow the same DoDI 1332.35 curriculum, but retirees can start 24 months early (vs 12 months for separators). Retirees also get additional financial planning content because they have a pension and SBP decisions to make. Both require the Capstone Event at T-90.

Keep going

Next steps

SkillBridge Guide

Civilian internship during final 6 months

Salary Translator

Convert military RMC to civilian equivalent

VA Disability

BDD claim 180-90 days before separation

GI Bill Guide

Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits

DoDI 1332.35 — Transition Assistance Program · VOW Act (PL 112-56)

Results are estimates. Always verify with your finance office.