Military Transition Timeline Checklist

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This page will provide a month-by-month action checklist for service members from 18 months before their estimated terminal date through the day they out-process and begin terminal leave. It will highlight which tasks are time-sensitive and why, flag common mistakes that delay benefits or create gaps in healthcare coverage, and link to the specific forms, websites, and offices for each step.

Example edit here

• cool stuff

Topics to cover

• 18-month milestone — TAPS/TAP enrollment eligibility opens, resume and LinkedIn profile start, benefits inventory, education benefit election window
• 12-month milestone — VA pre-claim submission (establishes intent to file before discharge), disability exam coordination, financial planning (TSP decisions, SBP election)
• 6-month milestone — TAP completion requirement, job applications and networking acceleration, housing plan (on-post vs off-post, BAH cliff), SkillBridge program applications
• 3-month milestone — healthcare bridge plan (TRICARE Transitional Coverage, VA enrollment, civilian insurance options), final out-processing appointment scheduling
• 1-month milestone — terminal leave request, final unit clearing, personal records request (medical, dental, training)
• DD-214 verification checklist — what each block means, common errors to catch before signing, how to correct errors after the fact, certified copy requests