Transition assistance experts hone job-assistance skills

  • Published
  • By Richard Salomon
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  About 120 transition assistance experts from across the Air Force came to downtown San Antonio April 28 through 30 to learn the latest in career and employment initiatives and how they relate to today's economic environment.

The three-day conference kicked off with a one-day, Air Force specific event that included presentations and discussions on transition assistance strategies, best practices, the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, major command breakout sessions and a talk entitled "Helping Clients Help Themselves in Tough Economic Times."

The agenda-packed day also included feedback and guidance from Air Staff representatives and members of the Air Force Personnel Center's Airman, Family and Community Operations Branch, which oversees the Air Force's Transition Assistant Program. It was the first TAP-specific conference held for Air Force professionals in three years.

"In addition to providing a big picture perspective, we wanted to give the participants strategies they can take back to their bases," said Peggy Rayfield, a team chief with the Airman, Family and Community Operations Branch. "With the challenges in today's job market, it's important we continue to improve on our methods of helping Airmen successfully transfer to civilian life."

The Career Management Alliance, an association of career management professionals, hosted the last two days that also included career managers from civilian companies. The agenda's topics included the use of social media to build a better brand, the power of social networking, and tools on how to best assist military members transitioning to the corporate world or trying to land federal jobs in the new administration.

"It's all about gaining a deeper understanding of what we do and to make sure our programs and procedures are in compliance," said Faith Hannah, a TAP expert and acting chief of the Airman and Family Readiness Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.

"It's also a great opportunity to network, share ideas and hear about different employment tactics we haven't thought of," she said. "All of us here share a common goal to be more effective at our centers and to maximize our resources."

Staffs at Airman and Family Readiness Centers provide individual or small group congressionally mandated pre-separation counseling to all separating and retiring members. The centers also offer many other services, such as resume workshops, career counseling, customized financial planning, relocation assistance, educational grants, spouse employment assistance and more.

For more information on the Air Force's TAP, call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102, commercial 210-565-5000 or DSN 665-5000. 

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