Successful
Stanley Beason, contract transition manager for the Fleet and Family Support Center, says the unemployment rate for military personnel in their first year of civilian life used to be a staggering 25%. PHOTO BY CHARLIE NEUMAN
RE-ENTRY by Anne Stokes
How a DoD program known as TAP can help Navy veterans find a new career—and is slashing unemployment rates
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hange can be hard. But for Navy personnel THE FAMILY AND FLEET SUPPORT CENTER transitioning back into civilian life, there is help. At OFFERS ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS THAT the Fleet and Family Support Center, sailors and COVER: their families can get support and information on how to ·Government employment find gainful employment after their military service ends. “The staff here at the Fleet and Family Support ·Resume writing Center are transition counselors and they’re able to work ·Winning interview techniques in one-on-one scenarios and they’re able to facilitate ·Job search strategies transitioning service members in a classroom environment as well,” says Stanley Beason, contract transition manager In addition, service members and their families can get for the Fleet and Family Support Center. “The goal is help with personal finance management and understanding … not just finding a job, it’s finding gainful, meaningful and accessing their VA benefits. The center also has an employment, whether you want to continue electronic job board with postings from federal, to use the skill sets you acquired in the state, county and city employers as well as military or if you want to go in an private sector positions. The center can entirely different direction.” refer to community organizations and The Department of Defense’s agencies to assist with additional “The goal is … not Transition Assistance Program, career needs and skills, all of also known as TAP, arms which are at no cost. just finding a job, it’s transitioning service members Beason points out that in with the knowledge and skills finding gainful, meaningful the past, the unemployment they need to enter the workforce. rate for all military personnel in employment.” Facilitated by the Fleet and the first year after transitioning Family Support Center, the was a staggering 25%. Today, it’s STANLEY BEASON program offers workshops, career similar to civilian rates, something CONTRACT TRANSITION MANAGER, FLEET AND counseling, referrals and job he credits with making classes FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER search support for sailors and their mandatory. family members up to a year before “You’re being informed about what their separation date. is your responsibility to yourself and making sure you have a successful transition, WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE: but also making sure you’re aware of the benefits ·My Education: How to find the right higher education that should be coming to you, because your benefits are program, how to apply and how to pay, including VA something that you’ve earned,” he says. “Be strategic about education benefits it, start early and don’t wait until you’re 30 days away from ·Boots 2 Business: How to start your own business and your transition date. … Give it the same type of effort and concentration that you would if you were trying to find available grants your next duty station.” ·Vocational certifications For more information or to sign up for workshops, visit ·My Employment: For those going straight into the sandiego.navylifesw.com or call 1-866-923-6478. private or public sector workforce
OTHER SERVICES While the Fleet and Family Support Center can help prepare service members and their families for employment after their military service ends, the center can also connect them with even more. • Mental health and counseling services • Deployment readiness and support • Disaster preparedness • Financial counseling and management • Life skills • New parent support • Ombudsman programs • Relocation assistance • Retiree support • Sexual assault and prevention response
County of San Diego Office of Military & Veterans Affairs
sandiegocounty.gov
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