Prepare for your future with the Airman and Family Readiness Center Published Feb. 17, 2009 By Rosalind Mercado Yaeger Airman and Family Readiness Center McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." -President John F. Kennedy "I separate next week, and I need to go to this week's Transition Assistance Program class." "I've just received the results of my medical board and need to complete the pre-separation checklist immediately!" "No one told me I had to get this done before I separated." Unfortunately, the Airman and Family Readiness Center staff hear statements like these frequently from active-duty members trying to out process at the last minute. Our main goal is to help you with a smooth transitioning process. We ask that you come in early so we can adequately assist you with your goals prior to separation or retirement. Think about it -- whether you've served four or 14 years, you've gained a lot of knowledge and experience. You may not be able to write a "good" resume based on this knowledge and experience in one day. Writing a resume sometimes takes days or even weeks to accomplish. Looking for a new job takes time; it takes a plan of action. According to Public Law 101-510, all separating members who have served continuously on active duty for 180 days must complete pre-separation counseling and the pre-separation checklist (DD Form 2648) no later than 90 days prior to their date of separation or retirement. This is the first step in your transitioning process. Completing the DD Form 2648 does not obligate you to retire or separate. What it does do is provide you with financial and educational information, employment resources, and veteran's benefits (just to name a few) to prepare you and your family for a "smooth" transition from military to civilian life. It is basically a "needs assessment" checklist that will aid you in your decision to retire or separate as your ETS approaches. We're asking all active-duty members, Reserve and Guard, too, to complete the mandatory pre-separation counseling briefing (completion of the DD Form 2648) within two years of retirement or one year prior to separation. Completing the DD Form 2648 early also alleviates a lot of the added stress of trying to get things done at the last minute. Did you know that you can file a claim for VA Disability Compensation six months prior to retirement or separation? Did you know that attending the Transition Assistance Program seminar is not mandatory for Air Force members, but highly recommended? Did you know that you have the opportunity to schedule an individual appointment to personally meet with a VA representative twice a month? Did you know that if you want to start your own business, a representative from the Service Core of Retired Executives will meet with you individually to go over a business plan and answer questions? Did you know that if you plan to file a VA Disability Compensation claim, you should attend the Disabled Transition Assistance Program briefing to obtain information on additional VA benefits for disabled veterans? Do you know what to do with your Thrift Savings Plan once you separate? All this information and more is provided during the completion of your pre-separation briefing. Is any of this information important to you? Call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at (609) 754-3154 to prepare for your future!