Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Angus King (I-ME), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), sent a letter to the chiefs of each U.S. military service branch expressing concern about a lack of attention to servicemembers transitioning from active duty to veteran status.
The Senators urged the Department of Defense (DOD) to improve the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) by better ensuring timely attendance at TAP classes and strengthening the warm handoff connection. They also voiced support for employing a similarly focused approach to TAP services as is provided during training for Marines, Sailors, Sentinels, Soldiers, Airmen, and Guardians when they enter the service.
“The Services are falling short on requirements to assist transitioning servicemembers. The Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act required individualized initial counseling and pre-separation counseling components of TAP occur no later than 365 days before service members are expected to leave military service, with some exceptions such as unanticipated, short-notice separations or retirements,” the Senators wrote.
“In its December 2022 report (GAO-23-104538), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) stated that the majority (70%) of transitioning servicemembers did not begin TAP at least 365 days before leaving military service, while only 25% met this timeliness requirement. The FY19 NDAA also required that pre-separation counseling should be completed at least 365 days in advance of separation, but GAO found that only 11% of servicemembers met this requirement, while 82% did not,” continued the Senators.
“Servicemembers who start TAP late face challenges with their transition to civilian life, such as being unable to take advantage of programs like SkillBridge or apply for disability benefits before leaving active service. We can and must do a better job to ensure our servicemembers are supported in their transition back to the civilian life,” concluded the Senators.
Click here to read the letter.
Every year, approximately 200,000 men and women leave U.S. military service and return to life as civilians, a process known as the military to civilian transition. TAP is a statutory program that bolsters opportunities, services, and training for transitioning Service members in their preparation to meet post-military goals.
Senator Cramer has used his seats on SASC and SVAC to secure funding authorization and language for missions both directly and indirectly benefiting North Dakota’s military community and veterans. He has met with many former and active-duty individuals and military leaders to address the top issues impacting America’s heroes. He led legislation codifying the Solid Start Program, which requires the VA to conduct outreach to veterans upon leaving active-duty service to connect them with VA programs and benefits, as well as legislation for veterans seeking mental health and substance abuse treatment. Additionally, he introduced and advanced a bill to connect service dogs with veterans experiencing mental illnesses.
Representing one of the states with the highest rates of veterans per capita, Senator King has been a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, he has been among the Senate’s most prominent voices on the need to address veterans suicide, and has repeatedly pressed for action from top Department of Defense officials on this issue. Additionally, he recently spearheaded the passage of legislation to better track and study servicemember suicides by job assignment. Senator King has also worked to properly honor and recognize the sacrifices of Purple Heart medal recipients, protect veterans from fraud, and expand veteran assisted living services.