Airmen participate in a Transition Assistance Program class in the Airmen and Family Readiness Center on Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., March 26, 2012. The program is designed to ease the transition from military to civilian life when airmen and their families are planning to separate or retire from the Air Force. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
By: FEDweek StaffKey programs that help service members make the transition to civilian life could use improvement, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
In a new report – GAO-24-107083, the top federal watchdog agency noted three specific areas that need to be addressed: obtaining civilian credentials before discharge, enhancing the Transition Assistance Program – TAP, and improving Solid Start, which aims to provide support during the first year of civilian life.
According to GAO, the department does not have sufficient evidence that two of its programs are doing what they are intended to do: Credentialing Opportunities Online (to match military occupations to civilian fields and facilitating credentials), and the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (civilian apprenticeships while on active duty).
Servicemembers preparing to leave generally must also participate in TAP, including meeting with a TAP counselor, attending a tailored 2-day class, and participating in a counseling pathway. However, officials have run into challenges such as limited jobs nearby installations, only a 75 percent attendance rate for the class, and just 30 percent starting the TAP program a year ahead of separating.
GAO found in January 2023 that VA representatives successfully contacted about 71 percent of eligible veterans in 2021, and these veterans used VA benefits to a greater extent than those who did not speak with a representative. However, GAO found that VA had not collaborated with veterans organizations to help connect with hard-to-reach veterans – something VA said it would do. DoD generally agreed with the report and identified steps toward improvements.
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