MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- When troops depart the military service, there is a transition that must take place for them to be assimilated into the civilian career force.
The Transition Assistance Management Program, offered by Marine Corps Community Services, provides career and employment assistance, vocational guidance and transition information for service members that are at the end of their obligated service.
“Our goal is to ensure when an individual gets out, they know exactly what they’re going to do,” said Dan Clouse, TAMP and Family Member Employment Assistance Program, MCCS. “Whether it’s going to college or getting a job.”
The program is a four-day course offered throughout the year that provides information on many areas, including resume writing, networking and interviewing skills, financial planning and job analysis techniques. The classes also cover entitled benefits such as Veteran’s Assistance, medical, Disabled Transition Assistance and the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill.
“It’s important that Marines understand there is a lot of information to be passed in a short amount of time,” said Clouse. “If they wait too long, they could potentially miss out on benefits they have earned.”
Transition services are available to all Marines, sailors and their family members who are within 12 months of separation or within 24 months of retirement. If a service member is already separated, they can still attend workshops up to 180 days after their date of separation, on a space-available basis.
Family members may also attend the classes with their active-duty sponsor. Attendees of a class, whether military or dependent, must register with their unit’s transition assistance counselor.
“We encourage family members to also attend because they too will be transitioning into a new lifestyle,” said Clouse.
For more information on registering for a TAMP class, contact the base Personal Services center at 760-725-6652.