TAP is CRAP!

[SKCM Linda Reid]

Who has attended these seminars? I was so disappointed. Three (out of 4-1/2) days on "how to get another job." I mean ... we spent a whole morning on what color tie to wear to your job interview! - yeah, I was interested in THAT session! There was one day on VA stuff and the guy talked so fast ... everyone was scribbling furiously ... I still feel like I don't have a clue and this is very important stuff. A passing glance at TRICARE. A mere mention of SBP ("you have to do some analysis to figure out if it's right for you" -- well, how come this seminar doesn't HELP us do that analysis??!) An explanation of how Retired Affairs in Topeka is so behind the times technologically that you have to call Susie Phone Helper every time you have a pay question/problem ... no online access. Nothing about what to do with my TSP. Nothing about other situations retirees face ... health, dealing with aging parents, major change in lifestyle and how it affects your family, etc.

My husband's seminar at the FDIC was so much better!

[BMCS Burt Ford]

I have not been but the folks I know did not have anything as bad as your TAP Master Chief. Everyone I know who went, said go to more than one. Start as many as five years before you plan to retire and then every couple of years after that.

[AMTCM John Long]

Linda,

I went to one about a year and half ago (D9). Being my only one I thought it was ok. We hit many of the subjects you mentioned. What I found of interest was the chance to sit down with some VA reps and get my medical records reviewed. The reps were all prior active duty folks. They offered advice on how the system works, types of common injuries that are covered, etc. Also received some good points of contacts for the various programs out there.

I'll go to another in a few years and then have something to compare against.

John

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

I've never been to one....but from the sounds of it I need to attend the next one. I'll let you know what I find out.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I went to one three years ago. It was just as the Master Chief said. I signed up for another one scheduled this month. They sent me the itinerary and I decided to just skip it. One day of VA benefits and the rest was devoted to job hunting and interview skills.

The TAP seems to be geared towards the RELAD and not the RETIRE.

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

As I haven't TAPped yet, I can only go off what I have heard - but folks have told me that it depends entirely upon who sets up the session.

I have heard people complain that it was crap - that nothing was geared towards retirees or no VA representation... and all comments about that session were the same.

I have also heard about sessions that people raved about, that VA reps were telling them stuff that new enlistees should hear, that had relocation reps to help retirees... that had everything - and all comments about these sessions were all the same as well.

The d9 TAP program is run by a former military member that got screwed over when she went through TAP - and she has made it her life's work to see that it doesn't happen to anyone else. Theresa Henry is mega-anal about making sure that ALL reps available for helping people get out are there and have all the stuff they need to do good presentations and then she REALLY pushes for insight as to why anyone would complain about her sessions - AND SHE LISTENS!!

Unfortunately, I think you have been screwed by a session that wasn't up to snuff. I just wanted to post to say that they are not all created equally.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I guess I don't understand why it isn't the same everywhere. Shouldn't it be the same everywhere?

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

The instruction for TAP is REALLY vague, almost like CCTI. All it says is, "You will have TAP sessions that will strive to meet the needs of retirees and members RELADing. Suggested topics include VA benefits, financial counseling, etc."

Then it is up to the District administrators to put it all together. ALL of the district reps are civilians - and some care more than others. I can't speak of any other district than d9, and it would be unfair of me to do so. However, I can say that Theresa at d9 really has her stuff together. I know her, and she told me the horror story of her getting TAP when she got out of the service... and she swore that she would do everything she could to make sure that nobody else would get screwed over like she did. Even before she got the job in Transition Assistance, she helped out folks in the process of getting out.

All I can say is that she has a healthy amount of give a crap. Because of this, she makes sure that we don't get "crap".

[PACS Steve Carleton]

I have not been to a TAP Seminar, but a retired O6 and former CO of mine told me that he went to Camp Lejeune and spent three days with the Marines.

They not only did the resume training, but they sat down with him one-on-one to go over his medical file along with a VA benefits personnel.

He told me that there were several USMC enlisted E4-6 going through because the Marine Corps requires them to attend as part of their out processing before RELAD.

It would be interesting to find out if this is Camp Lejeune specific or if the entire Marine Corps does the same thing.

[PAC Darrell Wilson (Ret)]

Well, I just started it today and so far, its great. I'll let you all know when its over.

[BMCS Ian McVicker]

I have heard mixed reviews over the years from people that attended these seminars. I think where you attend, and who is teaching makes a big difference.

There are many different resources, depending on the services and bases in your area.

Everyone I know that has retired have all told me the same thing, "Start early, and get as much as you can" :)

[SKCM Linda Reid]

That really is odd that there is no standard curriculum, isn't it? I guess just because this concept has evolved and expanded over the years.

[PAC Darrell Wilson (Ret)]

There is a TAP manual. I picked up two copies from our class. Three days down and today is the last day. It has been OUTSTANDING! I cant say enough good things about our class. I'll see how today goes.

[roechambeau]

i have been twice to the navy's version and i thought it was outstanding. i don'y think there is any reason you can't go to another services TAP class. Dave

[BMC Ken Gouge]

Dave,

totally unrelated, how is it that your posting has niether first name nor rank?

Just curious.
Ken

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

This is the curriculum for the TAP seminar that I wasn't able to attend:

Monday:
Transition Topics- NAS Representative
CARIT brief- Norfolk Rep
Pre-Separation Brief- ACAP Rep

Tuesday:
Introduction- Georgia Dept of Labor & ACAP Staff
Veteran Benefits- VA Rep
Self Assessment and Career Decisions- ACAP Staff
Developing Job Search Plan and Objective- ACAP Staff

Wednesday:
Sources of Assistance- Georgia Dept of Labor
Work Values and Personal Preferences- Georgia Dept of Labor
Networking- ACAP Staff
Resumes/Cover Letters- ACAP Staff

Thursday:
Interview Basics/Grooming- Georgia Dept of Labor
Practice Interviews- Georgia Dept of Labor and NAS Atanta Staff

Friday:
After the Interview- Georgia Dept of Labor
Employment Offers/Salary Negotiations - ACAP Staff
Wrap Up

[ETCS David Kroll]

I have a choice of going to a regular TAP class or an executive TAP class because of my degree. Which one would you reccomend?
Dave

[YNCM Doug Squires (Ret)]

Your degree grants you access to executive TAP?

How does that happen?

[PACS Steve Carleton]

I'm not sure what the difference is between the two, but a former CO of mine went through TAP down at Camp Lejeune and he raved about it.

He mentined that they had medical, VA and resume and interview coaches sit down with the attendees one-on-one to go over everything.

I don't know if this is the executive version or not, but you might want to check that out.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

I went to one in St Louis and one in Miami. I'd say they were about the same. I wouldn't consider them "Crap"... I think most will pick up what they need from them. Upon retirment we should all be well versed enough to understand how the world works.

I did have a discussion with the Navy Mutual person about another live insurance policy vs SBP. He showed me in "black & white" where the SPB was a far better deal, at least for me.. (I have/had 3 young children & a child bride... well, she was at that time.)(she is only 10 years younger than me)

I think the or a major flaw in the TAP program is they wait to long into your career to allow you to attend. You can't plan for your future if you attend 18 months prior to your retirement.

Wray... :cool:

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

After talking to someone who recently went thru, I thought I'd throw this topic back to the front of the forum.

They now recommend that you attend a TAP class about 5 years before you actually get out. There is alot of information that could be benifical to you.

So anything new from someone who recently attended?

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Gee, imagine that.. see my previous post (#20)

Wray... :cool:

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

The problem is that no one really contemplates retirement until they are making the decision to retire.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

The problem is that no one really contemplates retirement until they are making the decision to retire.

I would say "many" don't properly prepare for retirement... They contemplate it all the time....

Actions speak louder than words.

Wray... :cool:

[MKC Art Bailly (ret)]

It must depend on the area. I have been thru 2 Taps classes. The first time the class was in town, no TAD orders needed and the command said I should go, so I did. I was about 3 years from being eligible to retire. Some parts I didn’t pay that much attention to but other area’s I did. The medical record review is what I got the most from. The second one I was about a year out and took much more interest into what was being said and got a lot more out of the class. Having the VA rep there reviewing my medical record was great. She pointed out things I needed to do before I retired. I also got more out of the resume and job opportunity sections. Tap is not CRAP it like any other course we attend. Its what you make of it just like the CPOA. Fill the pores of your sponge with what you want and everyone soaks up something different

Wray, Not sure how long ago you retied but by your post it must have been a long time ago. As you know, the Coast Guard changes everyday. The changes are mostly what we learn from experienced and found new and better ways of doing business. Every time we attend a class we fill out those darn course critics’ and from what we put in them changes are made for the better. So every time I fill one out I make suggestions on how I think it would be better rather the slamming the instructors or course material. Positive suggestion promotes positive results.
<O:p
I’m going one more time before I retire. Orders for 31 May 2008. 3139 hours to terminal leave. I would highly recommend the Alaska TAPS seminar to everyone looking to get out.<O:p

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Wray, Not sure how long ago you retied but by your post it must have been a long time ago. As you know, the Coast Guard changes everyday. The changes are mostly what we learn from experienced and found new and better ways of doing business. Every time we attend a class we fill out those darn course critics’ and from what we put in them changes are made for the better. So every time I fill one out I make suggestions on how I think it would be better rather the slamming the instructors or course material. Positive suggestion promotes positive results.

Art, not sure what you are referring to.. Did you read my post (#20 here)...I retired in 1999, but attended two taps classes prior.. I did NOT say they weere crap...

please see my post (last post on page 2)

Wray... :cool:

[MSTCS Dennis Noble (Ret.)]

I did retire a long time ago--1978. I remember at one unit a YNCM wanted to attend a TAP in the same area and the command said take your own leave to attend. It depended on your command if you could go on gov't time. I was never able to attend, but a shipmate was able on gov't time.

Wray is correct, prepare for your retirement a long time in advance.

I am glad things have changed so much that people now can now go automatically and can debate the merits of the program.

[MKC Art Bailly (ret)]

Wray, Sorry my bad, you’re right. You said that you wouldn’t say that tap is crap. The, I don’t now how long you have been retired remark was I was just wondering how long you have been retired and how much has changed since then. I try to focus on how to improve the class and voice my opinion on how it could be improved. Like all course evaluations sometime they take our suggestion and sometimes they don’t. But things do get better
<O:p</O:p

[MKC Art Bailly (ret)]

Dennis,<O:p</O:p
Wow 1978, You’ve been retired longer then I’ve been in. Glad to see your still alive and kicking. Wasn't the average life expectancy after reirement back then around 5 years? I hope i am also one of thoose that beats the odds.
Now its highly encouraged to attend at least once even if you are being discharged before 20 and at least for Alaska are Work Life Staff Office pay’s for the trip if it’s in another town and your go TAD. If it’s in the same town you don’t go TAD but you get the time off work to attend.<O:p</O:p
The first time I went to taps I thought a little like Linda. Why do I want to sit here and listen to people talk about how to get another job? When you retire you shouldn’t have to work unless you want to. That part of the class I wasn’t to interested in but they medical record review and they insurance parts were attention getters. Maybe they should separate they class and make 2 different ones, and one for those that are getting ready to retire and another for people that are getting out before their 20.

[PAC Jamie Devitt-Chacon ret]

I was lucky -- San Diego has so many TAP classes. I went to three before I retired -- two "Coast Guard" ones (one at 11 years, when I almost got out, then another six months before retirement), then one RETAP (retirement TAP) sponsored by the Navy. I'm sure I could have hit a Marine one as well, but I didn't seek one out. Ran out of time. Since I did not plan to work after retirement, I too found the how-to-get-a-new-job days BORING, but like many people here, found the medical, insurance, retirement pay, VA benefits, etc. info invaluable. I believe that we are now mandated by Congress to attend a TAP before we separate from service, and that's a far cry from the "old" days when your command told you to take leave! I know there is a form that I was required to turn in to my YN with all my pre-retirement paperwork that had to be signed by the TAP coordinator. You could probably decline to attend, but I wouldn't recommend it. All veterans need to know this stuff, whether they had 4 years or more than 20. At the first CG one I went to, they even taught us civilian wardrobe etiquette -- even did our best colors per the individual. I think I'm a winter. ;0P

[MSTCS Dennis Noble (Ret.)]

Art,

There are some mornings I am not too sure I am alive and kicking!

I now have more years in retirement than on active duty. My goal is to try to make it to 90, and still have my mind, so that I mess up all the government planners. I am not sure about today, but in my time those who crunch figures had enlisted retirees kicking off at 55, and a few of my shipmates have gone at that age.

It is always interesting to me to visit a USCG station and see how much it has changed. The biggest change I have seen is more things for the enlisted force, such as TAPS and education. People today have so much more offered to them in such things. Myself, and other enlisted people, who wanted to attend a civilian school had to fight for it. Always, of course, depending on the command. In other words, if you had the right CO you had an easier time. Unfortunately, with only one exception, I did not have that. The USCG never paid for any of my civilian schools and I went through the degrees up to Masters. I even took my own leave to do an oral history training workshop put on by the USAF. They were amazed I had to do that. So, I am not one of the Old Guard who says it was better in my day.

[MKCM Bob Brayman]

I've suggested to students in the CMC course that they may want to take a
TAPS class for the wealth of info that is just good to have on hand. Also, take the TAPS class in the state you're retiring to...each state has different benefits and entitlements that they go over in addition to the federally provided ones that are the same regardless of the home state.