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Questions for MilSO's (Veteran & Active Duty)
In the past year all Military Branches have converted to a newer version of the mandated transitioning course.
What was once known as SEPS & TAP in the Marine Corps is now known as the Transition Readiness Seminar (TRS) which you can read about HERE and the Navy, Army, Air Force & Coast Gaurd have converted to the same course (just a different name) Goals Plans Success (GPS) which you can read about HERE.
Prior to becoming a SAHM I taught SEPS & TAP to transitioning military members and several employments courses to Military Members & Spouses. I was a part of the beginning of this amazing new DoD wide program.
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC became the testing location for TRS which soon rolled out Marine Corps wide. When the successful implementation of the new course became apparent to the remaining Military Branches they soon adopted the course as well, standardizing the out process of all Military Members DoD wide.
(How it should have been from the beginning).
Now, Cherry Point is moving forward with a course for the Spouses of Transitioning Military Service Members!!! Spouse Transition and Readiness Seminar (STARS). This workshop includes information on benefits and entitlements to include: education, employment, household shipping and resources to aid in the transitioning process.
I will be attending the Focus Group for the beginning of this much needed course at the end of the month. Just as any new program starts feedback is a necessary item to determine highly sought after information.
QUESTIONS:
For the Spouse of a Veteran:
1. What was the hardest part of leaving the military?
2. What information do you wish you had been explained in better detail?
3. Aside from the VA (because we all know how that goes) did you get the run around from other programs? Which Programs and what were your experiences?
4. What resources did you utilize most during & after the transition?
For the Spouse of an Active Duty Member:
1. Where do your worries lean toward when thinking of when the time comes for your SO to transition to the civilian world?
2. What are the top 3 aspects of getting out that are a must know for you?
3. Are you familiar with any of the programs that are available to you, your spouse and/or children once out? (These are different for those that get out after enlistment time is up, are medically discharged or are discharged under other circumstances vs. those that retire or medically retire).
If there are any other concerns or questions that you have let me know!!!
You can comment below, shoot me an email MWML11@yahoo.com and/or comment on FB.
The better the feedback the better this course will take off for all Military Spouses in the future!
So glad I found your darling blog!! You have a new follower :)
ReplyDeletewww.McKennaBleu.blogspot.com
What was the hardest part of leaving the military?
ReplyDeleteThe not knowing. I guess we were a little different -- my husband was on a med board and wound up getting medically retired from the Marine Corps after 4.5 years of active duty. So from the time we actually found out WHEN we were getting out, went to Seps and Taps, and then got out, there was only a few weeks turn around. At Seps and Taps, they told us to plan on having 6 months worth of bills in a savings account. But we didn't have time enough to plan ahead for things like that. So it was a lot of unknown ... and three months of no job with no possibility of unemployment [because of the va check we were receiving].
My biggest worry is definitely him being able to find a job, and one thatt pays well. I seem to think that we do pretty well on military pay & don't know anyone who graduated from college around the same time as us who's income could even compare.
ReplyDeleteI know what the retirement benefits are but don't know about benefits if he was to get out before 20 years. (Other than GI bill and we get Tricare for 60 or 90 days..)