scope:

Purpose. To implement provisions of references (a) through (i) and issue policy guidance for establishment and execution of the Navy Transition Assistance Program (TAP). This revision includes public law and policy updates issued from 2007 through 2016 and should be reviewed in its entirety.

Applicability. Transition services and transition benefits are separate and distinct. As required by reference (a), participation in TAP is mandatory for every Active Component (AC) and Reserve Component (RC) Service member separating after serving 180 continuous days or more of active duty. Personnel are eligible to receive transition services as early as 24 months prior to retirement. Personnel voluntarily separating may access transition services 12 months prior to their separation date. A Service member's characterization of service, including "other than honorable," "dishonorable," or "bad conduct" discharge, does not affect eligibility to participate in the core components of TAP.

(1) For short notice separations, commanders must ensure members receive transition assistance as defined in this instruction prior to commencing separation proceedings.

(2) The TAP is standardized across DoD. Service members assigned to joint commands or who are located at a duty station near a DoD military installation offering transition services, may attend the Transition Goals, Plans, Success (GPS) course, quota dependent, to meet the requirements of this instruction.

(3) Proactive planning is required to ensure members attend Transition GPS before deployment or are released from deployment early enough to attend prior to separation. There is no authority to extend the end of active obligated service date for enlisted personnel, or date of approved separation for officers, in order to attend Transition GPS.