The History, Evolution, and Future of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

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Episode Description

This week on the FourBlock Podcast, we welcome Acting Director of the Military Civilian Transition Office (MCTO) Mike Miller to take us on a deep dive into the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for transitioning service members. In conversation with FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams, Mike Miller walks us through the program’s history and evolution, sharing how it has progressed, where it stands today, and what the vision is for the future of TAP.

Mike serves as the Acting Director of the Military Civilian Transition Office (MCTO). The MCTO designs, supports, oversees, and evaluates the DoD Transition Assistance Program (TAP), the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP), and the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program (BYR). MCTO provides streamlined transition and reintegration services to efficiently deliver resources, training, information, and deployment-cycle support to transitioning service members, members of the National Guard and Reserve, and their families worldwide.

Mike has over 38 years of civilian and military leadership experience that includes team building, talent management, leader development, policy development, strategic planning, corporate culture change, diversity and inclusion, organizational management, and resource management. He is a retired U.S. Army Veteran and “Soldier for Life” who served strategic enterprise assignments with United States Forces Korea and Headquarters, Department of the Army; Chief Human Capital Officer assignments at U.S. Army installation, Division, Combined Joint Task Force, and Corps; and operational deployments in Somalia and Afghanistan.

About Us

Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term “Three Block War” to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.

FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.

Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, and author of two military transition books. He’ll be representing the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.

Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate.