Who We Are:
We are dedicated to helping our military members and their spouses in the transition so they can find a successful landing after their service; whether that is higher education, a dream job, or the ability to start their own business.
How We Help:
American Dream U offers two main services for transitioning veterans: Online programs and educational workshop events.
American Dream U’s online programs are catered to helping veterans become successful professionals in the world of business, with breadth in courses; everything from entrepreneurship to the intricacies of setting up a LinkedIn profile.
American Dream U’s workshop events are fueled by the same purpose; offering unique, differentiating benefits when paired with the online courses such as networking and connecting with other veterans, as well as hearing personal success stories of post-service careers.
Who We Help:
Military, Veteran and spouses are our mission and the stats below reflect the need. Here at American Dream U, we believe that a smoother transition will go a long way in improving these stats in the future.
– 2 out of 3 new veterans will find it difficult to transition
– About 400,000 veterans remained unemployed at the end of 2017
– 22 – 28 veterans will commit suicide each day.
– Approximately 245,000 Service men and women will transition out of the military in 2018.
About DoD TAP
The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information and training to ensure Service members transitioning from active-duty are prepared for their next step in life – whether pursuing additional education, finding a job in the public or private sector or starting their own business.
TAP is a cohesive, modular, outcome-based program that bolsters and standardizes the opportunities, services and training that Service members receive to better prepare them to pursue their post-military career goals.
The TAP curriculum is an outcome-based curriculum that transforms the way the military prepares Service members for transition back to civilian life. The curriculum is designed to provide Service members with the resources, tools, services and skill-building training needed to meet Career Readiness Standards (CRS). Shortly before departing the military, Service members demonstrate achievement of these standards to their command through a verification process called Capstone. This process includes an opportunity to connect Service members who may need additional assistance to agency partners who provide them with additional support.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (FY19 NDAA) authorized many changes to the TAP, to be implemented late 2019. The purpose of the program will remain the same, but the TAP process will be updated to reflect the requirements in the NDAA.
About the Military-Civilian Transition Office
The DoD Military-Civilian Transition Office (MCTO) formed as a result of a merger between two DoD programs under the Defense Human Resources Activity’s Defense Personnel and Family Support Center to provide streamlined services to members of the armed forces and their families.
The Office for Reintegration Programs (ORP) combined with the Department of Defense (DoD) Transition to Veterans Program Office (TVPO) to efficiently deliver resources to transitioning Service members, members of the National Guard and Reserve, their families and communities worldwide in January 2020.
The DoD Military-Civilian Transition Office (MCTO) is responsible for designing, overseeing, and evaluating TAP. MCTO provides transition assistance policy and program oversight to promote, advance, and instill a culture of career-ready Service members.
Transition Assistance Curriculum
The TAP curriculum for Service members transitioning to civilian life.
Online Transition Assistance Curriculum
The Transition Assistance Program Curriculum has moved from Joint Knowledge Online.
Service members looking to receive official credit/certification for TAP courses, can take the courses online via the new Transition Training Portal (https://tapevents.org/courses).
Veterans, Family Members, and Caregivers can also access the curriculum online.
Select ‘Get Started’ to start a course. If you want to resume a course you previously started, use the link that was sent in your registration confirmation email, or complete the registration form with the same information.
Transition Services
Managing Your Transition Timeline (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Managing_Your_Transition_Timeline.pdf)
Download your VMET (https://www.dodtap.mil/login.html)
milConnect (https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect)
Veterans Administration Careers and Employment (VEC) (https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/)
Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (VETS) (https://www.dol.gov/vets)
The following Resources and Tools provide additional information and planning assistance for transitioning Service members and their spouses.
he following links to external sources provide additional information and resources to transitioning Service members, their spouses, and Veterans.
Service-specific Transition Assistance Program Sites
Army TAP (https://www.sfl-tap.army.mil/)
Navy TAP (https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/fleet_and_family_support_program/work-and-family-life/transition_assistance.html)
Air Force TAP (http://www.afpc.af.mil/Transition-Assistance-Program)
Marines TAP (http://www.usmc-mccs.org/services/career/transition-readiness/)
Coast Guard TAP (http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Work-Life-CG-111/Transition-Assistance-Program/)
Resources for Veterans
Veterans Education and Training (http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/)
Submit feedback (http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/feedback.asp) on problems with schools when using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and the Military Tuition Assistance Program
FedsHireVets.gov (https://www.fedshirevets.gov/)
Partnering Agencies
Department of Veterans Affairs (http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/tap.asp)
Department of Labor (http://www.dol.gov/vets)
Office of Personnel Management (https://www.opm.gov/)
Department of Education (http://www.ed.gov/veterans-and-military-families)
Small Business Administration, Boots to Business Entrepreneurship Track (http://www.sba.gov/bootstobusiness)
Department of Defense Resources
Department of Reserve Affairs (http://www.people.mil/)
milConnect (https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect)
Military OneSource (http://www.militaryonesource.mil/)
Military Crisis Line (http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ActiveDuty.aspx) (1-800-273-8255, Press 1)
DoD’s Compensation and Benefits Handbook (http://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/benefits/compensation-and-benefits/)
DoD SkillBridge (https://dodskillbridge.usalearning.gov/)
TAP Events (https://tapevents.org/)
Resources
Transition Assistance Program Curriculum Overview (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=TAP_Curriculum_Overview.pdf)
Managing Your Transition Timeline (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Managing_Your_Transition_Timeline.pdf)
Statement of Benefits for Military Members (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Statement_of_Benefits.pdf)
Benefits Guide for Reserve Component Military Members (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Benefits_Guide_Reserve_Component.docx)
Career Readiness Standards (CRS) Overview Info Sheet (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=CRS_and_Capstone.pdf)
DoDI 1332.35 (https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/133235p.pdf?ver=2018-11-08-133557-850)
TAP/CRS Compliance (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=VOW-CRS_Compliance_Info_Sheet–DoDTAP_Perf_Meas.pdf)
Financial Planning Worksheet (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Transition_GPS_Financial_Planning_Worksheet.xlsx)
DoD Self-Assessment Worksheet (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=DoD_Self-Assessment_Worksheet.pdf)
TAP Counselor Tool_Locked_Updated Scoring 10_3 (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=TAP_Counselor_Tool_Locked_Updated_Scoring_10_3.xlsx)
Tools
Military Career Fields and Civilian Equivalents – A Primer (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Intangible_Skills_and_Military_Fields_Primer_Handout.pdf)
Transition Forms
The following forms are used by TAP staff to document Service members’ separations.
DD eForm 2648 (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Blank_eForm_PDF_Print_Out.pdf)- Service Member Pre-Separation / Transition Counseling and Career Readiness Standards eForm for Service Members Separating, Retiring, Released from Active Duty (REFRAD)
The following forms have been superseded by the above DD eForm 2648, and are no longer utilized to document a Service member’s separation.
DD Form 2648 – Active Duty Pre-Separation Checklist
DD Form 2648-1 – National Guard and Reserve Pre-Separation Checklist
DD Form 2958 – Individual Transition Plan (ITP) Checklist
Partnering Agencies
In addition to the military departments, the Transition Assistance Program is the result of an interagency partnership between the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Education (ED), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in conjunction with the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
U.S. Department of Labor:
• The DOL conducts a one day employment overview that teaches Service members vital skills such as how to build a resume and prepare for an interview. Their contribution to the curriculum also includes the DOL Employment Track and the DOL Vocational Track. After transition, DOL’s local One-Stop Career Centers located across the nation continue to assist veterans in meeting their employment goals through a range of services including job placement, career counseling, and occupational training.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:
• The VA is responsible for educating transitioning Service members on the wide range of veterans’ benefits available to them and assisting with the process of applying for benefits during the transition process. The VA contributions to the TAP curriculum includes the VA Benefits and Services brief. After separation, the VA continues to provide educational and vocational counseling to Service members.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management:
• OPM provides Service members with an overview of Federal employment, the careers offered within the Federal government and a linkage to the kinds of occupations and competencies transitioning Service members and veterans have. It also acquaints transitioning Service members and veterans with resources to support them in obtaining work with the Federal Government, including the Veterans Employment Program Office, which offers career tools such as a Military Skills Translator, a Resume Builder and a federal job search database.
U.S. Small Business Administration:
• The SBA’s “Boots to Business” is the Entrepreneurship Track that helps Service members understand the dynamics involved in developing and sustaining a business. It includes discussion of the key components of a business plan and has information on identifying required resources. It also provides the opportunity for Service members to learn from other business owners. Service members can continue their education with an eight-week online course covering the principles of accounting, finance, market analysis, planning, business operations, sales, and more. SBA’s support for veteran entrepreneurs continues after TAP, providing veterans with counseling and training services, access to capital and preparing them to compete for government contracts.
U.S. Department of Education:
• The ED promotes the success of TAP for Service members and their families by communicating available information and expertise regarding college access, success, and affordability, financial aid and programs specifically sponsored or overseen by ED for the benefit of Service members.
Dog Tag Inc. seeks to build a bridge to employment and a productive civilian life for veterans and military families that have served our country so well. We provide a transformative opportunity for veterans with service-connected disabilities, military spouses, and caregivers through a five-month fellowship, offering an education at Georgetown University and real life work experience in our small business, Dog Tag Bakery. Upon completion of our program, our fellows are business ready, competitive and employable.
To create stronger military families through education, empowerment, and support.
Home of Military Spouse Owned Business
Our Mission
To expand employment opportunities for military spouses & dependents through one-on-one employment placement assistance, focused on the use of gap skills training and targeted resume and interview assistance, LinkedIn optimization, and connections to employer partners in order to create a smoother transition process.
Who We Are
We are the #1 online resource for military-affiliated job seekers looking to attain a rewarding career and maximize their earnings.
Over the past 19 years, we have placed over 87,000 Veterans, Transitioning Military Members, National Guard and Reserves, and Military Spouses, into industry leading & high-earning careers. Our hiring numbers are verified by a third-party review by Deloitte, via the Call of Duty Endowment. 63,000 of our candidates have taken and completed our training courses.
What We Do & How We Do It
Military Spouse Jobs has honed a very successful, proven method for ensuring our job seekers connect with the career opportunities they deserve.
Our approach has three parts: people, technology and education.
People. Our people — all of whom are highly-educated veterans and military spouses themselves — get to know our job seekers personally. They work to understand a candidate’s military service, the skills they’ve acquired and how that translates to today’s job market. We then provide personal, high-touch, free job placement support, leveraging relationships with hundreds of leading national employers.
Technology. After we get to know our candidates personally, we tap into a world-class technology backbone which enables us to access over three million high-paying job openings, donated through DirectEmployers Association, plus view applicants and track hiring outcomes the same way top employers do. Further, we track our job seekers’ progress after we place them, helping to ensure they succeed. As they progress along and advance in their career – we’re right there with them to help as needed.
Education. For candidates who need extra support, we have developed top-notch training, educational tools, career development resources and mentoring. Our training team — which includes professionals who have developed curricula for prestigious American universities — works closely with each job seeker to guarantee they’re positioned to get the job they deserve.
Our Values
We believe a big part of what sets us apart is our core values, which were deepened through serving our country. Those values include:
Integrity – We don’t accept funding from any branches of the Military or the Government; our singular allegiance is to the job seekers we serve.
Respect – We have the deepest respect for those who are serving, have served, and surround those wo have served; that reverance guides every decision we make.
Commitment – We don’t think it’s enough to just help a veteran or spouse get a job. Nobody goes deeper, or stays involved longer, to help military-affiliated job seekers attain a rewarding career.
Focus – We have never strayed from our founding charter. If it doesn’t help active duty military, veterans or military spouses connect with a high-paying career, we won’t do it.
Efficiency – We are tirelessly devoted to ensuring every penny we spend advances our mission. Deloitte audits show that 96 cents on the dollar goes to that mission.
NMFA can help fund education, career, or business goals for military spouses. NMFA also offers Operation Purple Camp, where they embrace being “purple” and bring together military kids from all ranks and services, including National Guard and Reserve components, to a unique and memorable summer camp experience.
The National Military Spouse Network is the pre eminent networking, mentoring and professional development organization committed to the education, empowerment and advancement of military spouses. NMSN creates a community of military spouse professionals, businesses, academics and media to share expertise and craft innovative solutions on both balancing a viable career with the military lifestyle and laying the foundation for a successful career post military life.
The Special Forces Association is a non-profit 501(c)(19) Veteran Service Organization with over 9,700 active members and 85 Chapters located throughout the United States and eight Countries around the world. One of the primary missions is to promote and support the general welfare of the Special Forces community, which is accomplished through three funds: The Emergency Relief Fund that provides immediate financial assistance to eligible members, their spouses, children, and grand-children in times of natural and unexpected disasters, the Scholarship Fund, an annual education assistance program providing education scholarships based on merit to children and grand-children of SFA members; and The Patriot Fund. established in 2007, provides support and assistance to the JFK Special Warfare Center and School, The Special Forces Command, and seven Special Forces Groups and Their families primarily through the Family Readiness Groups and the US Special Operations Command Care Coalition.
The Department of Defense Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program provides education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide and offers comprehensive resources and tools for all stages of your career progression.
USO Pathfinder® Transition Program
USO COVID-19 Response: In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, our USO Pathfinder® Transition Program locations are strictly adhering to guidance from military installation commands and abiding by CDC guidance on health safety practices regarding center operations.
We remain steadfast in our mission to support transitioning service members and military spouses. There have been minimal disruptions to one-on-one USO Pathfinder services, as we have shifted Transition Specialist meetings to virtual delivery. Program registration remains open with no disruptions to that process.
The USO Pathfinder® Transition Program extends the USO experience to active duty, Reserve, National Guard and military spouses by offering professional development services throughout the duration of the service member or military spouse’s career, as well as when they transition out of the military and settle into their new communities.
Want to be better prepared for future success before transitioning from the military? Are you a military spouse looking for new opportunities?
CONNECT WITH A USO TRANSITION SPECIALIST
USO Transition Specialists can help develop a personalized Action Plan and help you take full advantage of services and resources that are the best fit for you and your spouse in your new community.
How It Works
The USO Pathfinder Transition Program works with strategic partners to connect service members and military spouses to resources through a holistic approach, focusing on:
Employment
Education – Including leading online learning platforms like Skillsoft, IBM SkillsBuild and Coursera as well as the new 8-week course “Making Your Military Transition a Transformation”
Financial readiness
Mentorship
Increased access to relevant veterans’ benefits in their communities
Through the creation of an individualized action plan, USO Transition Specialists collaborate with individuals to identify their personal and professional goals and build a roadmap to achieving them, while also identifying services and resources that are the best fit for their needs. This program offers support to service members up to 6 months after they have officially left service, providing them with resources well along their journey to civilian life.
USO Transition Specialists provide these free services through one on-one support (either virtually, or in person) and help military families create a plan for success now – and for the future.
The Veteran Spouse Network (VSN) facilitates a community of support for
military and veteran spouses and families, providing peer support, education, and
training on topics unique to military and veteran family life. Programs are offered
nationwide through virtual and in-person opportunities, and all programs are
offered at no cost to participants. The work of the VSN is guided by the
understanding that military and veteran families rely on strong, supportive
communities while navigating this unique lifestyle. Learn more
at https://veteranspousenetwork.org/ or email us at
mailto:vsn@austin.utexas.edu
Veterans
You may qualify for special services if you served in the military
Here in Washington state, WorkSource helps thousands of military veterans – including disabled veterans – find jobs each year.
As a veteran, you can get priority access to WorkSource services. This includes priority referrals to jobs that are listed with WorkSource, as well as other employment services.
WorkSource centers offer veterans and their military spouses:
Job listings, job referrals and hiring events
Resume, application and interviewing assistance
Use of computers, photocopiers and phones
Skill assessments and referrals to training and other resources
On the WorkSource website, you also can identify yourself as a veteran to make it easier for vet-friendly employers to find you, and you can search for job openings where employers are giving veterans priority over other applicants.
Most WorkSource centers have veteran employment specialists whose sole job is to help military veterans with disabilities and other employment barriers. They’ll assess your skills and interests and help you put together an employment plan that’s right for you.
Employment resources
Veterans can enter their prior military experience and explore comparable civilian careers at My Next Move.
We’re proud to partner with the Department of Defense’s Military OneSource, which provides 24/7 access to support for military personnel and their spouses throughout their service and for up to 12 months after separation. Scroll through the site to view different categories of resources, including Education & Employment, Family & Relationships and more!
Washington’s Veterans Military Crosswalk is an easy-to-use tool for translating your military skills to job openings in Washington state. Service men and women simply enter their current Military Occupation Code and the website finds jobs that match their skills and experience. The website also works on mobile devices.
Explore career opportunities working for Washington state as a civil servant. Additionally, you can link your military specialty experience to current Washington state civil service positions with the convenient military skills translator tool.
Find out if an apprenticeship is right for you.
Veterans who think their employment opportunities under the Uniformed Service Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) have been violated can contact Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.
For military spouses:
The Department of Labor website highlights available resources for military spouses, including licensure and credentialing laws, small business opportunities and much more.
The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs provides details on spouse and family member resources within Washington.
The Washington State Military Family Leave Act allows spouses special leave consideration when their military member is tasked to deploy.
Washington’s major military installations also offer transition services for spouses and transitioning military:
Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM)
Fairchild AFB
Naval Station Kitsap
Naval Station Everett
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Veteran programs and benefits
POS REP is a mobile, proximity-based social network made expressly for the military veteran community. Short for Position Report, POS REP connects veterans who served together but more importantly allows veterans to discover local peers and resources in the palm of their hand. Download on the App Store.
Veterans facing financial challenges due to military deployments in Iraq or Afghanistan can find help through the Department of Veterans Affairs – Olympia Veterans Service Center.
Washington state Department of Veterans Affairs offers benefits, services and programs for veterans. For Puget Sound-area veterans, visit WAServes to access a wide array of community resources.
Get information about the educational benefits available through the GI Bill and other Veterans Administration programs.
Use this form to request military service records or proof of military service.
Credentials/Licenses
Washington state has actively engaged credential and licensing entities to promote transferability of skills and qualifications for veterans and military spouses. Learn more about these efforts at the links below:
Department of License Military Assistance for Business and Professional Licenses
Department of Health Credentialing and Licensure Resources for Military Spouses and Registered Domestic Partners
Department of Health Military Resources and Health Profession Crosswalk
Commercial Drivers Licensing for Recently Separated Military
Expedited E-certification for Teachers, Paraeducators, Administrators, and Education Staff Associates (Upon completing your application, contact Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 360-725-6400, for expedited processing)
Both the US Army and the US Air Force are authorizing up to $500 in reimbursement for qualifying licensing costs to military spouses who must obtain state occupational relicensures or recertifications during a permanent change of station.
Air Force Spouse Licensure Reimbursement Program
Army reimbursement for state licensure and certification costs for spouse of a soldier
Coast Guard Licensure and Certification Reimbursement Policy
Marine Corps Reimbursement for Spouse Professional Licensing after PCS Moves
Navy Spouses Licensure and Certification Reimbursement Policy