DoD Military-Civilian Transition Office

This week MCTO was on Capitol Hill! Dr. Yashika Neaves, Ph.D., MCTO Chief of Strategic Plans & Initiatives and LTC Tasleen Panton, MCTO Deputy Director, attended the final 118th?Congressional Servicewomen and Women Veterans (SWWV) Caucus chaired by Rep Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), alongside of co-chair Rep Jen Kiggans (D-VA). Rep Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Rep Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) joined the SWWV Caucus making opening remarks. ? Dr. Neaves highlighted the Transition Assistance Program’s 34th?anniversary and the good work United States Department of Defense has done over the years to significantly improve transition support services. She emphasized TAP eras, demonstrating vast improvements between pre- and post-9/11 Veterans experiences, and noted the 1,500+ Servicewomen utilization of the Women’s Health Transition Training?in the last 3 years. ? Representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) discussed VA accredited Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) who now provide file claiming information during the TAP VA Benefits & Services course, and shared mental health and homelessness challenges of female veterans.? ? MCTO is proud that today’s TAP provides more comprehensive transition preparation support, information, and services, and Service members are better prepared for their transition now than they’ve ever been in our Nation’s history. ? For more information on DoDTAP visit us at:?https://lnkd.in/evY2VdEv?or?https://tapevents.mil/ ? Check out the?Women’s Health Transition Training course:?https://lnkd.in/e8t8zXv7 ? Search for VA accredited VSO representatives to help you file a VA claim:?https://lnkd.in/g4dUSBB8? ? #MCTOengagements?#SWWVCaucus?#CongressionalEngagement?#VA?#Servicewomen?#Veterans#transitioningservicemembers?#MCTO

MCTO continues to celebrate and honor National Veterans and Military Families Month! We remain focused on providing the essential tools and resources needed to thrive in every phase of the transition and reintegration journey. Check out our continued commitment and dedication to support our military families and veterans: https://lnkd.in/eV4UGY6r #MCTO #TAP #YRRP #Veterans #MilitaryFamilies #NationalVeteransandMilitaryFamiliesMonth

YRRP supports the well-being of service members, especially when separated from loved ones during deployments. National Guard and Reserve service members and their families often live far from military installations and other members of their units. YRRP events provide a sense community and connection which is critical during deployments. For information on YRRP events, visit https://lnkd.in/eTfWix4

Thursday,?November 21st at 11:00 AM?Eastern time, the Military-to-Civilian Transition Research Forum will host our next teleconference. ? The topic will be?"Military Experiences, Connection to Military Identity and Time Since Military Discharge as Predictors of US Veteran Suicide Risk”. Connection information: https://lnkd.in/dHe_tvwC Password:?Forum Meeting ID: 161 2167 0761 Presenter: Emily Edwards, Ph.D., is?the Director of the Clinical Core at the VA’s New York/New Jersey Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 2 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) in the Bronx and a licensed clinical psychologist in New York State.

Last week, MCTO attended the Military and Family Support Center Roundtable hosted by the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy. This inaugural event, which coincided with National Veterans and Military Families Month, focused on ensuring service members and their families are provided the resources and programs needed to thrive. Family support program managers and policy experts were in attendance from all branches of Service. Mrs. Patricia Barron, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community & Family Policy provided opening remarks; the 3-day event closed out with a leadership outbrief from Honorable Ashish Vazirani, Performing the Duty of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Both stressed the integral role military and family support programs play in the lives of the all-volunteer force. This month and every month, MCTO remains committed to providing service members and their families the tools necessary to succeed through the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), DoD SkillBridge, and the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP). For more information on TAP, DoD SkillBridge, or YRRP, visit us at: https://www.tapevents.mil/; https://lnkd.in/gwYk3fgn, or https://lnkd.in/dj2R4QwS.

MCTO is on the move this week! Dr. Yashika Neaves, MCTO Chief of Strategic Plans & Initiatives, attended the Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) Veteran Employment Advisory Council (VEAC) annual meeting in Washington, D.C. highlighting DoD SkillBridge modernizations, while addressing employers focused on their commitment to quality economic outcomes for transitioning service members. DoD SkillBridge provides service members with civilian workforce competences and new industry career paths, giving them a better understanding of their interests and strengths. Early exposure to civilian work environments helps active-duty members adapt quickly to the civilian workforce settings and increases their chances of securing meaningful and immediate employment post-transition. To learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/dkuPnxY5 #MCTOengagements #DoDSkillBridge #MCTO #HiringOurHeroes #VEAC

Celebrating another fantastic year of TAP! TAP has been an essential resource for transitioning Service members since its establishment in November of 1990 through the FY91 NDAA. The program has made great strides since then, but one thing has remained constant, TAP provides the tools needed for a successful transition to civilian life. From career exploration and financial planning to mental wellness resources, TAP offers a holistic and individualized approach to ensure Service members embark on their next chapter with confidence. Learn more about how TAP is making a difference: https://www.tapevents.mil/ #MilitaryTransition #TAP #MCTO

This week the Pentagon Force Protection Agency celebrated their DoD SkillBridge partnership with the signing of their support agreement with us during PFPA’s Veterans Day ceremony held at the Pentagon. PFPA is recognized as not only the first federal agency to complete their DoD SkillBridge provider Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the newly implemented FY2025 structured enrollment period, but the very first DoD SkillBridge partnership solidified this fiscal year. Dr. Yashika Neaves, MCTO Chief of Strategic Plans & Initiatives, and PFPA Deputy Director, Mr. Lewis Ratchford co-signed the SkillBridge MOU representing a new path for transitioning service members to explore with PFPA as a newly committed federal partner. DoD SkillBridge continues to open doors for employers to gain access to highly-skilled transitioning service members and provide employment skills training, internships, or apprenticeships that can lead to long-term civilian employment. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/gwYk3fgn #MCTOengagements #MCTO #PFPA #militaryconnected #DoDSkillBridge

TAP goes beyond basic internet searches. TAP includes relevant, actionable, and up-to-date information to help service members make informed decisions about their future. For example, the DoD Gap Analysis covered during the MOC Crosswalk provides a visual of “gaps” in education, experience, and credentials, leveraging the MilGears platform to provide transitioning service members with up-to-date information through a suite of career data tools and resources. For more information on the DoD Gap Analysis, visit https://ow.ly/Sxq050U5nS8 For more information on MilGears visit: https://ow.ly/JY0k50U5nS7 #EducateRelate #DoDTAP #MilitaryTransition

Our interagency partner U.S. Small Business Administration is celebrating veteran-owned businesses across the country this week! This year’s theme is focusing on Strengthening #VetBiz Communities while highlighting resources available to the military community through SBA’s resource partner network. Check out: More than 30 events kicking off across the nation covering topics such as capital access, bookkeeping, surplus property, AI, lender readiness, and federal programs along with Boots to Business Reboot classes for veterans and military spouses! To view the full list of events taking place, visit www.sba.gov/nvsbw #SBA #MCTO #VetBiz #VetBizCommunities