My name is Shirley Bratton and I am representing the Airman and Family Readiness Center,   Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, which has responsibility for the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for our supported population. Thank you for the opportunity to offer remarks regarding support to transitioning military and civilian personnel and their families.

Demographics

Holloman AFB currently serves 12,927 personnel, which include:  Air Force 3,327; civilian employees 1,083; US Dependents 3, 233; retirees and their family members, 4,000; German Military, 528; German dependents, 756. The surrounding Alamogordo area population is approximately 11,515.  Forty-seven percent (47%) of Alamogordo is military related.  Our 49th Fighter Wing Mission is: Fly, Fight, and Win.  We provide Combatant Commanders Combat Ready Airmen, Mission Ready MQ-1 & MQ-9 Crews, F-22s, and Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR) Forces, Anywhere, Anytime.

Transition Assistance Program

Our Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) provides consultation services to our Commanders and assists them in developing and executing policies, programs and processes which enhance individual, family, and community readiness.  We support and maintain mission readiness by assisting individuals and families with adapting to the challenges and demands of the military lifestyle.  The A&FRC is the OPR for the Transition Assistance Program (TAP).  The Holloman A&FRC is responsible for providing services to separating or retiring military and civilian personnel and their families transitioning from the military into the private sector and/or civilian lifestyle/workforce.  The focus of TAP is to provide the information, skills, and knowledge needed for a successful transition.  To ensure we offer the necessary services and support required by Air Force Instruction, we provide the following:  mandatory preseparation counseling, logistical support for the Department of Labor (DoL) TAP Workshop, and other Airman and Family Readiness Center program support.

Mandatory Preseparation Counseling

We provide mandatory preseparation counseling and supplemental preseparation counseling for regular AF members who are retiring, regular AF members who are separating for disability, regular AF members separating after serving at least 180 days of continuous active duty, and Reserve and  Air National Guard members who are being released from active duty after 180 days of mobilization.  Military members are required to attend an individual preseparation counseling session or small group preseparation briefing no less than 90 days prior to separation/retirement. In addition, Public Law 107-103, Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 authorized retirees and separatees to participate in transition activities as early as 24 months for retirees and 12 months for separatees before date of separation (DOS).  Preseparation counseling sessions include information and/or referral on the following topics:  career change, employment assistance, federal employment, education and training, relocation assistance, health and life insurance, and reserve affiliation.  Additionally, we offer and assist members with development of an Individual Transition Plan, as requested. As required, we document all preseparation counseling on appropriate forms.  At Holloman in 2009, 225 members received preseparation counseling while 406 received services in 2008.

TAP Workshop

The TAP workshop is a coordinated effort between the State Department of Labor (DOL) Offices in New Mexico, the local career center, the Veterans Administration, Veteran's Service Office, and Holloman’s Airman and Family Readiness Center.  All of these offices meet on a quarterly basis to look at local and national employment trends, and review classroom presentations and critiques from the past quarter's seminars.  If changes need to be made, it is a group effort.  The close working relationship between TAP workshop presenters and the Airman and Family Readiness Center staff ensures a comprehensive, quality workshop.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center provides logistics for the TAP Workshop. The Center provides classroom facilities, notification and registration of participants, and ongoing publicity.  Typically, our TAP workshops include members of other Services. Class size ranges from 30 to 50 participants.  Spouses are always highly encouraged to attend.  The TAP Workshop is held on a monthly basis, and covers such topics as: strategies for effective job search, interviewing, effective resume development, self-assessment, dress for success, and opportunities for federal employment. 

We are currently conducting “High Year of Tenure (HYT)” seminars, which were added for our enlisted members affected by the recent changes in this policy.  During this seminar, attendees receive information on the guidelines affecting their separation, resources available to them, educational opportunities, financial planning information, and relocation assistance.  During the HYT seminar, we strongly encourage the military member and spouse to attend the three day TAP workshop to get more detailed information on transition programs and services.  In the past, we have also provided special seminars to prepare our officers and enlisted members when the Air Force had “Force Shaping” programs.

In Alamogordo we have collaborated with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., Lear Siegler, National Enrichment Facility, and local businesses to host job fairs.  We collaborated with the Small Business Administration to host “Start Your Own Business” workshops and we have worked with educational institutes to share educational opportunities available.

In 2009, Our Holloman TAP Workshop attendees listed the top 3 reasons they were leaving the Air Force as follows:

1. Retirees:  High Year of Tenure
2. Separatees:  End of commitment
3. Retirees/Separatees:  High Operations Tempo

 Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP)

The Disabled Transition Assistance Program was specifically developed for service members who are separating or retiring with medical disabilities. At Holloman the briefings are open to anyone planning to file a claim. The program provides members with specialized information and application procedures about the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program. DTAP also explains the process on obtaining individual counseling on handling a disabling situation.  Presenters are from the Department of Labor and VA.  Briefings are held once a month following the TAP workshop.  In 2009, 300 transitioning military members attended.  During DTAP, our VA representative answers questions on applying for medical disability and also reviews and assists members with completing their disability claim forms.  Our VA representative goes above and beyond by gathering medical records of those retiring or separating who are staying in New Mexico, to start the disability compensation process.

Air Force Wounded Warrior Support 

We provide individual, personalized support to our Air Force Wounded Warriors.  These Airmen are our top priority.  The previously mentioned services are provided to our wounded warriors and their families along with financial counseling, relocation services, education services, and employment assistance; we ensure they are linked with the appropriate services from various helping agencies, as needed,  and we follow up to ensure they received the assistance needed.  Additionally, our Air Force Personnel Center Air Force Wounded Warrior Program staff provides follow-up services for no less than five years after separation/retirement. 

 Feedback

Historically, TAP receives a lot of positive feedback.  During the TAP workshop, participants complete a survey to determine the impact of participating in the program.  

Our participants have said or written the following concerning the TAP Workshop:     

• “Excellent Workshop.”
• “Job internet search will help me find a job when I relocate from Holloman AFB.
• “SBA - good briefing for those looking to start their own business.”
• “I really enjoyed this workshop. It was very informative and educational. I highly recommend this class to others I know that are separating!!”

During Preseparation Counseling sessions, our participants have said the following: 

• “A lot of good information”
• “Great to have this since you only retire once from the military”
• “I have a lot of work to do to prepare for retirement”

During other separate workshops/classes, which often spouses attend, such as resume writing, house buying, plan my move, and stress management, the feedback is always “this was very helpful”.

Annually our TAP Workshop is evaluated by Veteran, Employment & Training Services.  During the last review, we were cited as offering an “Outstanding” TAP workshop.

Other A&FRC Support Services

Our first term Airmen attend a briefing called “Informed Decision” given by the Career Assistance Advisor.  We speak to the Airmen on things to consider when deciding to reenlist or separate, such as: medical cost, day care, housing etc.  The information provided gives our Airmen an opportunity to look at their options for staying in or leaving the military. During the briefing, attendees are also encouraged to attend the TAP workshop to help them make an informed decision.

In accordance with our Air Force Instruction for Airman and Family Readiness Centers, (AFI 36-3009), we offer additional programs and services to further ensure the needs of our transitioning Airmen and their families are being met: 

Employment Assistance supports customers in achieving short and long-term employment,

education/training, and career goals. Information, skills development, and resources are available to prepare customers for local and long-distance job searches, self-employment, and/or small business and entrepreneurial efforts.

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) provides emergency financial assistance, interest free loans, and grants.

Relocation Assistance provides relocation information, education, and skills development for customers, to ensure a smooth relocation.

Personal Financial Readiness Services offers information, education, and personal financial counseling to help individuals and families maintain financial readiness.

Personal and Family Life Education Services provides prevention/enrichment education and consultation designed to enhance social competence for individuals, couples, and families, and build resilience skills that assist in navigating a mobile, military lifestyle. Services focus on assisting customers to develop and improve interpersonal competencies and social relationship skills throughout the life cycle.

Military Child Education support includes civilian and military School Liaison Officers, who advocate for the educational needs of military children and will assist Airmen and families with information and referrals regarding local school districts and other educational options including home schooling, private schools, charter schools, and cyber schools.

Personal and Family Readiness Services provides mobility and deployment assistance to help members and their families meet pre-deployment, sustainment, reintegration, and post deployment challenges.  This includes pre-deployment education briefings, sustainment support services, and return/reunion/reintegration support. 

Our Major Command also funds Executive TAP Seminars at other select locations, specifically targeted to senior military members (Colonels and above, and Chief Master Sergeants).

Team Holloman is proud to provide programs, services, and support to our transitioning military members and their families. We appreciate the policy guidance, support and resources we receive from the many government agencies that enable us to provide the necessary assistance to facilitate a smooth transition for our military members and their families.  They have served our nation well, and we are grateful to be able to provide the support and services needed as they transition.