Frequently Asked Questions

1.     What is TurboTAP?

TurboTAP is an interactive website that provides lifetime support to separating and transitioning military servicemembers and their families. It is open to the public and features an Individual Transition Plan Account System that helps servicemembers stay connected to their benefits for life. As new benefits are created and as old ones change, this system sends out Benefits Alerts to those who register for this service. The latest support resources at state and federal levels are also featured on this website.

2.     Why was TurboTAP created?

Although a very useful product for Active Duty members, TurboTAP was actually developed to serve the unique needs of the National Guard and Reserve Components. Since September 11, 2001, the number of Guard and Reserve servicemembers recalled to active duty in support of the "Long War" (OIF, OEF) has significantly increased. TurboTAP provides them with information about the benefits they've earned and the supportive resources that are available as they transition back and forth between their military and civilian careers and communities.
3.     Who are the sponsors of TurboTAP?
TurboTAP is an on-going collaborative partnership between the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Labor (DoL), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Education (DoEd), the Small Business Administration (SBA), the National Veterans Corporation (NVC) and the National Guard Bureau (NGB). 
4.     Who provides the technical support for TurboTAP?
The Monster Corporation designed and developed the TurboTAP website (www.TurboTAP.org) for the TurboTAP partner organizations. They currently provide the daily technical support needed to operate and maintain this dynamic, robust information system. Content comes from subject matter experts in the fields of personal finance, benefits and transition assistance. These experts typically come from DOD partner organizations and from Military.com. 
5.     Can TurboTAP be accessed via the Internet?
Yes. The URL is www.TurboTAP.org.
Previously, transition assistance information resided on the Transition Assistance Program website www.transitionassistanceprogram.com. Users of this original website will be automatically redirected to the new URL. Please bookmark the new TurboTAP website.

6.     Is TurboTAP open to the public?

Yes, TurboTAP is open to the public. Visitors can read, download and print key documents such as:

Service and family members can also use this site to develop their own customized, Individual Transition Plan (ITP) by registering for a life-long account which provides Benefits Alerts by email.
7.     What are the main features of TurboTAP?

TurboTAP is available to transitioning service and family members for life. Main features include:

8.     Is TurboTAP a replacement for the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) or Transition Assistance Counselors ?
No. TurboTAP supplements and enhances these programs and services. It gives 24/7 access to important resources which they promote and provide.
9.     Do Transition Assistance Program Counselors use TurboTAP in their workshops and counseling sessions?
Yes -- They refer service and family members to this website and its valuable online resources.  
TurboTAP provides an opportunity to be better prepared for military career transitions …. from the minute a service member comes onto active duty to the minute they depart from military services (regardless of what reason for separation). It is a resource that is helpful at all stages of a military career and throughout the cycle of deployment.
10.   Does TurboTAP address the unique needs of severely injured servicemembers?
Yes. TurboTAP has several components that specifically address the needs of injured, ill and wounded servicemembers including the Heroes to Hometowns Program, Department of Labor's REALifelines Program and a chapter within the Pre-Separation and Transition Guides for disabled veterans.
The TurboTAP Mobile Training Team is currently participating in Career Fairs across the nation which support our transitioning servicemembers and wounded warriors. Look for them there. Scheduled events are posted in the Press Center of the www.TurboTAP.org website.
11.  Does TurboTAP contain information about education, scholarships, fellowships, job openings and relocation assistance?
Yes. DoD partnership organizations provide subject matter experts and the latest information on education and training, scholarships, fellowships, job openings and relocation assistance. Access to online applications are available for many of these openings.
The TurboTAP Mobile Training Team is interesting in hiring and training military spouses, veterans and wounded warriors who want to develop careers in personal financial management and who are interested in manning TurboTAP information and referral booths, providing financial counseling and delivering educational programs.  Visit the www.TurboTAP.org website Press Center for a link to TurboTAP employment information.
Links to the MilitaryHOMEFRONT website provide access to DoD's Military Installation points of contact and their online "Plan My Move" tool which makes moving easier. Relocation calculators are currently in development that will help in the relocation planning process, especially where finances are concerned.

12.  Can you download and print the Preseparation Guide, Transition Guide and TurboTAP Checklists?

Yes. These materials are viewable online, downloadable and printer-friendly. Both the Preseparation Guide and the Transition Plan can be printed as a complete document or by individual chapters.

13.  When should servicemembers start using TurboTAP and other transition services?

TurboTAP is helpful as a "transition preparation tool" at all stages of a military career. But is it essential as the servicemember reaches these major decision points: 

14.   How long can servicemembers use TurboTAP after separation?
For LIFE! The TurboTAP website is open to the public 24/7.
Individual Transition Plan (ITP) Accounts are therefore always available and are good for life. With access to the latest information, resources and benefits alerts (for registrants in the ITP Account System), service and family members can stay informed about their earned benefits and support resources throughout their lifetime.
Spouses of servicemembers who are on deployment or who have a medical disability can use the ITP Account System to develop an Individual Transition Plan which will guide them through the transition process. Parents also have full access to this system and all available resources and online tools on this website.
15.   Does TurboTAP include points of contact at military installations?
Yes. TurboTAP links to MilitaryHOMEFRONT's Military Installations information system located online at www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil.   Additionally, servicemembers can contact Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 [consultants available 24/7] or visit www.militaryonesource.com for counseling services, community information and referrals.
There are also various sections throughout the website that tell users the locations and points of contact for people who can assist them at their nearest military installation. Coming soon will be similar information for the Guard and Reserve Joint Force Headquarters and Joint Family Support Assistance Teams.
16. Can family members establish an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) Account on the TurboTAP website?
Yes, family members can use the entire site – including the ITP planning tool.
Anyone (including family members) can open an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) Account with military career information. The ITP planning tool is not connected electronically to the Defense Manpower Data Center [DMDC] and will not affect the servicemember's permanent, secure military personnel record. 
The purpose of the current ITP Account System is to help transitioning servicemembers become aware of the various steps they needs to take to successfully transition on and off of active duty... at any point and for any reason throughout their military career (e.g. retirement, voluntary or involuntary separation, combat zone wounds, illness, or injury).
NEWS FLASH: We are currently undergoing a major upgrade to the ITP Account System. By the end of Aug 08, this account system will be called the MyDecisionPOINTS Account System. This new system will have personal finance information and resources fully integrated throughout the system. More benefits information, online calculators and assessment tools will also be accessible. Our goal is to (1) tell servicemembers about their earned benefits, (2) give them tools that will help them make informed decisions about their military career, (3) help them understand the cash value of their earned benefits, and (4) encourage them to fully use their benefits to improve their financial status and quality of life … from the minute they enter military service until the time they leave and beyond.
17. Why should a service or family member sign-up for an ITP Account?
Because being prepared for deployment and eventual transition on and off of active duty is important. Based on information you provide, the ITP Account System (soon to be called MyDecisionPOINTS) will generate a transition plan, complete with checklists of everything you need to learn about and take care of as you move through your military career. 
The ITP Account System connects you to your benefits and helps you understand their cash value. For example: 
The most important thing to remember is that as benefits change and as new benefits come into law, the TurboTAP ITP Account System sends registrants an alert so they can take full advantage of their earned benefits. The system also tells you the closest place to go to receive benefits, transition, medical, family support and other types of assistance.
18. Are there online decision support tools on the TurboTAP website?   
Yes, TurboTAP has embedded calculators and other self-assessment tools throughout the site. We are also in the middle of a major content upgrade which will be complete by the end of Aug 08, so you will be seeing even more interactive tools that support career and transition decision points.
Here are a just a few examples:
It is our hope that by providing access to these easy-to-use tools and portals, service and family members can better understand the impact that benefits and personal financial management decisions have on their careers, personal lives and relationships.
There are many decision points throughout a military career, not just at the time of separation and retirement. TurboTAP can help every step of the way.
The ITP Account System (www.TurboTAP.org front page) is a perfect place to start.
19. Does the TurboTAP website "remember" data?
NO! However, we are currently building two fillable forms that will re-use point of contact data: DD-2648 (Active Duty Pre-Separation Counseling Check List) and DD-2648-1 (for Guard and Reserve transitioners). These forms will not be "live" or online until we get the final step connected to DMDC ... which will be well into FY09.
Signed DD-2648's and 2648-1's are required by law to validate that transitioning servicemembers have been briefed on their earned benefits as well as connected to important sources of transition assistance:
Servicemember contact information is currently being used to send benefit alerts (or notifications) when new benefits become law and when benefits are changed.