Vet News: Redesigned Transition Assistance Program Announced

Today President Obama announced the launch of the redesigned Transition Assistance Program developed by an interagency team from the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Labor, Education, and Homeland Security as well as the Office of Personnel and Management and the Small Business Administration.

The revamped program, called Transition GPS, is the first major overhaul of the transition assistance program for military members in nearly 20 years. The effort began in response to a call from President Obama in August 2011 to ensure all service members are "career ready" when they leave the military.

"I applaud the leadership of President Obama to bring together government agencies around the goal of enhancing career opportunities for service members," said Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta. "Our personnel have developed extraordinary technical expertise and world-class leadership skills that are in high demand. Transition GPS will help military members apply their experience to additional training, formal education, and develop successful civilian careers."

"One of our fundamental responsibilities as a government is to properly prepare and support those serving in our military so they are career ready as they transition back into civilian life. With this new initiative, we can better ensure veterans receive the care, benefits and employment services they have earned," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "This collaborative effort will have an impact well beyond this current generation of individuals returning from combat."