MNG-033 · SEPARATION & RETIREMENT
Transition Timeline & TAP
Build a transition timeline around TAP, initial counseling, pre-separation counseling, Career Readiness Standards, Capstone, and final separation milestones.
Work backward from the last day of service
- 365+ days: begin Individualized Initial Counseling and pre-separation counseling when applicable; retirees should begin broader planning earlier.
- 180–90 days: coordinate BDD if eligible, separation health assessment, records, employment and final-move planning.
- No later than 90 days: complete TAP Capstone/ITP review under current DoD policy.
- Final months: reconcile personnel/pay records, DD-214 data, elections, account access and final-move tasks.
Preserve the TAP record
- DD Form 2648/eForm
- Individual Transition Plan and self-assessment
- Career Readiness Standards deliverables
- Financial and employment/education work
- Capstone and any warm handover
Official sources
- Military OneSource — TAP
- DoDI 1332.35 — TAP
- DoD — DD Form 2648
- Military OneSource — Separation Must-Dos
Source status: SRC-083; SRC-084; SRC-085; SRC-089 verified October 4, 2026. Use current service-specific instructions when they impose a more specific requirement.
