IMPORTANT DECISIONS
WHERE TO START
- Begin planning for retirement 36 months from your desired retirement date. Military retirement is a life-changing event that requires thought, research, and action.
- Use the resources at Army TAP to help with this decision.
- Access the services offered by the Employment Readiness Program, including career exploration and self-assessments, at your nearest installation Army Community Service office.
- Explore careers, training, and jobs at the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.
- Get career and employment assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Career and Employment Assistance.
- Apply for employment with the Federal Government online at USAJOBS.
- Explore credentials and career skills available through Army COOL (please note that policy changes went into effect 11 December 2024 so be sure to check out the announcement on their home page).
- Seek credentialing and skills training through other organizations that work with Soldier For Life.
- Use your Tuition Assistance, Post-9/11 GI Bill, and/or Montgomery GI Bill to enroll in an educational program.
- Apply for a SkillBridge apprenticeship or internship and get on-the-job experience before retirement.
- Get job skills training and credentials with the Career Skills Program and increase your employment prospects before separation from the military.
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Review the education and career training resources from Soldier For Life.
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Find scholarships for veterans in the Federal and State/Territory fact sheetson MyArmyBenefits.
- Transferring education benefits to family members incurs a 4-year service obligation.
- For more information see the FAQs on milConnect and the FAQs on the Army Human Resources Command website.
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First, try to decide if you will move or remain at your current location.
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Set a deadline for making your location decision.
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If you are scheduled to PCS in the next two years, one year is required on station (in CONUS) after a PCS before you can retire.
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Rank order and weigh your priorities after retirement—job location, being near extended family, quality of life, availability of healthcare, etc. After these considerations, decide if a move is probable.
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View the State/Territory fact sheets on MyArmyBenefits for benefits and tax information on all 54 U.S. states and territories to help with your planning.
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Research the requirements for a final military move.
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Investigate medical, dental, and vision care options for Retired Soldiers as they are different than those for Active Duty.
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Consider any special medical needs of family members as that may influence the decision on where to live.
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Decide if it is important to reside close to a military treatment facility or VA medical facility.