Reviewed July 24, 2026. The Navy Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is a sequence of required counseling, classes, planning, and verification - not one class during the final month. Starting early protects time for records, finances, family decisions, employment, education, and command requirements.
Before the 365-day point: organize the foundation
- Confirm your expected release or retirement date with your command
- Review your OMPF, evaluations, awards, qualifications, and training record
- Build a personal budget for the transition period
- Start a civilian resume and translate Navy work into plain occupational language
- Discuss location, employment, education, and family needs before making irreversible commitments
365 days or more before release: complete the mandatory start
MyNavyHR lists two mandatory actions at 365 days or more before release from active duty:
- Initial Counseling and self-assessment
- Pre-Separation Counseling
These steps establish your tier, individual transition plan, requested services, and follow-on curriculum. Contact your Command Career Counselor or installation transition office early enough to get a class date.
Complete the TAP core curriculum and required track
The current Navy TAP page lists DoD Transition Day, the Veterans Affairs benefits and services brief, and the Department of Labor one-day employment workshop as core curriculum. Depending on the assigned tier, a Sailor may also complete an employment, education, vocational, or entrepreneurship track.
Keep copies of completion records and the planning products required for your tier, such as a post-transition financial plan, resume or employment verification, and school or technical-program comparisons.
No later than 90 days before separation: complete Capstone
MyNavyHR states that the mandatory Capstone event must be completed no later than 90 days before separation. Capstone verifies that Career Readiness Standards are met and that requested transition services were provided. Do not schedule it as if it were only a final checkout signature.
If considering Navy SkillBridge
The current MyNavyHR SkillBridge page says Sailors may not apply until they are within 365 days of expected separation. SkillBridge is not an entitlement; the commanding officer has final approval based on mission readiness and eligibility.
- E5 and below: participation window of 180 days or less
- E6-E9: 120 days or less
- O4 and below: 120 days or less
- O5 and above: 90 days or less, with formal command endorsement
Those windows describe maximum participation timing, not guaranteed approval. Use the current Navy SkillBridge guide and MyNavy Education portal before contacting a provider or making travel plans.
Final 90 days: close the record and logistics
Track the separation checklist, final medical and dental requirements, household goods, leave, travel, pay, DD-214 review, benefits applications, and delivery of personal copies of important records. Use your command's current checkout and separation instructions because local processing dates can be earlier than the final statutory deadline.
Official sources
AxoNNexa is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of the Navy. Transition and SkillBridge policies can change; verify current requirements with MyNavyHR, your Command Career Counselor, and your chain of command.
For keeping a phone powered during transition appointments and travel, see the Poseidon Nano Power Bank. This independent product link does not imply Navy endorsement.