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Your Transition Assistance Program

Providing information, resources, and tools to service members and their loved ones to help prepare for the move from military to civilian life.

About 200,000 Service members transition to civilian life each year. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information, resources, and tools to service members and their loved ones to help prepare for the move from military to civilian life. Service members begin TAP one year prior to separation, or two years prior to retiring. Watch the video above to see how VA TAP helps Service members transition from military to civilian life.

The VA portion of TAP is a one-day, in-person course called VA Benefits and Services. Led by VA Benefits Advisors, the course helps you understand how to navigate VA and the benefits and services you’ve earned through your military career. The course offers interactive exercises, real examples, and covers topics important to you like family support, disability compensation, education, and health care benefits.

Online Course Instructions

The VA Benefits and Services course is now available online through TAPevents.mil to transitioning service members, Veterans, family members, and caregivers. You do not need to be on a CAC-enabled device to access the course.

If you are taking the VA Benefits and Services course as part of a mandatory TAP requirement, you must register for the course using your CAC or by entering your DOD Identification and providing all required information to receive credit. Select “Core Requirements” under TAP Curriculum to find the course.

Air Force service member poses with family for group photo.

VA TAP Course Catalog

We’re here anytime, day or night - 24/7

If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves.

Get more resources at VeteransCrisisLine.net.

Your feedback matters

Is this website or content helpful? Please let us know. This is anonymous and not stored. Please do not provide personal information — it will not be acted upon. Use Ask VA for questions related to services and benefits. If you or someone you know is in crisis, do not use this form, but connect with the Veterans Crisis Line — Call 988 and press 1 or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net.