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Preparing to Leave the Military

by Glen R. Taylor
Military Network Columnist

Eventually, everyone in the military will become a civilian. Whether you're an enlisted member reaching your end term of service (ETS), an officer putting in his resignation, a career soldier reaching retirement, or a soldier being separated for medical or other reasons, you need to prepare yourself for the transition. Don't worry! The military provides a lot of help for those leaving its employ.

Army Career and Alumni Program

Part of the checklist for separating from the Army is attending a briefing with the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP). ACAP will help explain the process of leaving the Army, and will outline the benefits that you have available to you as a civilian. They also offer classes on different aspects of finding civilian employment, such as writing a resume. Many soldiers have never attempted to put together a resume before, so this particular class can help make you more attractive to a potential employer.

Veteran's Administration

Usually, as part of the ACAP initial brief, you will receive a presentation fro a Veteran's Administration (VA) representative. The VA offers many benefits to a former soldier, from assistance in collecting your Montgomery GI Bill to job placement services. You may also be eligible for VA medical disability pay, if you have any medical conditions resulting from your service which may impede your ability to be employed in the future. If you are medically separating from the Army, it's very important to remember that VA disability pay is separate from the Army disability pay system. Although you can only receive one of the two (the higher amount), the VA grants payment for many conditions which the Army does not.

About the Author
1LT Glen R. Taylor has served in the U.S. Army since 1994. He has been both and enlisted man and an officer, and has worked in military intelligence and armor. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu.

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