Transition Goals, Plans, Success

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zachary Hada
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Airmen preparing to transition out of the military, either through retirement or separation, are required to attend the Transition Goals Plans Success (GPS) course, offered by  the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

Transition GPS is a cooperative venture between the Department of Defense, Office of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Labor designed to completely revamp the transition program in an effort to combat the high unemployment rate among veterans.

"I really wish a program like this existed when I got out of the military," said Jennifer Kaminsky, AFRC community readiness technician. "I had a tough time transitioning into the civilian workplace and trying to find out what resources were available to me."

Kaminsky added, the Transition GPS program consist of three mandatory steps,  a Pre-Separation Briefing, a five-day workshop and a Capstone appointment with a member of the AFRC staff.   Additionally the program offers optional two-day courses in Education, Entrepreneurship and Technical training.

"The goal of the workshop is to provide servicemembers the necessary tools and strategies needed for employment in the civilian workforce," Kaminsky said. "The redesigned workshop is a critical part of the nation's plan to better prepare servicemembers for civilian life and lower veteran unemployment numbers."

Some of the topics covered during the five-day course include a transition overview, VA benefits brief, resume building, interview skills and much more.

"We want to set up our transitioning servicemembers for success whether it's education, employment or starting a business," Kaminsky said. "This workshop will offer tremendous assistance in that process."

For more information about Transition GPS, contact the AFRC at (605) 385-4663.