Courtesy photo
A representative of the Savannah Technical College and the Heroes MAKE America carrier skills program instructs Walter Herd, director of the Army Transition Assistance Program, on how to use virtual reality goggles to deliver hands-on training essential to modernized warehouse environments. The Heroes MAKE America vocational skills program is designed for soldiers, veterans and military spouses to prepare them for many careers in the manufacturing industry. Herd visited Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield May 24-26 to learn about TAP’s installation program analysis, partnerships, CSPs, and the modernization of local services and facilities.
TAP director visits installation, learns best practices
The director of the US Army Installation Command’s Transition Assistance Program, Walter Herd, recently visited Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield to observe best practices implemented by the installation’s Transition Assistance Program. During his visit, the focus was on program analysis, partnerships, career skills programs and the modernization of services and facilities.
In the past four fiscal years, the installation has relocated more than 14,500 soldiers, providing the highest level of 3rd Infantry Division veterans to local, state and federal employers.
Herd had the opportunity to offer his advice to 50 transferring Soldiers at a Department of Labor employment workshop hosted during his visit. Prioritizing was his advice.
“Where do you want to live? What do you want to do? And how much do you want to earn?” he asked. “Determine which of these questions is most important and then network within that circle. Whether it’s going back home, working in a particular field, or reaching a base salary, a focus increases the odds of a successful transition.”
He also talked about making the Soldiers transition more negotiable.
“No one will hire you out of gratitude for your service,” he said. “They will hire you if you can earn them money or improve their organization. Find information in the [new] battlefield. What is this new culture and how are you going to impress them?”
Herd also encouraged classroom leaders to ensure soldiers start TAP early and to schedule lessons over a dividing time frame.
Transition begins 12-18 months prior to ETS, two years before eligible retirement and immediately before legal separation and Medical Review Board. Starting TAP on time gives the individual more options to make informed decisions for their next chapter — whether it’s getting a new job, going back to school, starting a business, or staying in uniform.
Local, personalized Career Skills programs include the Home Builders Institute, the Veterans Affairs WARTAC, and Heroes MAKE America. TAP works with the local Georgia Department of Labor and with a private public partnership that supports the interests of soldiers to join or remain in the army reserves.
Fort Stewart TAP’s offices are located in Buildings 621 and 526 on Fort Stewart. TAP Hunter Army Airfield is located in Building 1289.
For more information on TAP, CSPs or to register, call 767-2234/0052 at Fort Stewart or 315-5854 at Hunter Army Airfield. Follow TAP on Facebook for: more information, vacancies and upcoming job fair dates at facebook.com/StewartHunterTAP†