Thursday, July 31, 2025

Why DoD TAP Needs a Revamp: The Counselor's Perspective Part 3 of 5

This is the third article in a five-part series exploring systemic challenges within the DoD Transition Assistance Program (TAP) from the perspective of a career counselor. You can find the previous articles here: Part 1 and Part 2.

Top 25 Reasons Why DoD TAP Needs a Revamp: The Counselor's Perspective (Part 3 of 5)

In the first two parts of this series, we examined why the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is often seen as a fragmented system, offering access to entitlements rather than empowering service members for their civilian missions. As a counselor who has lived this mission for decades, I've observed that the issues aren't just in the curriculum—they are deeply rooted in the operational environment and management of the program itself.

This article, and my research, is an independent and personal analysis. While I hold great respect for the professionals who dedicate their lives to this mission, a systemic crisis exists that is often hidden from view. When it comes to a service member's critical transition, one individual not receiving the right information at the right time is one too many.

Here is an inside look at some of the key operational hurdles and why they create a ripple effect that ultimately impacts the readiness of our transitioning service members.

The Disconnect in Leadership and Training Delivery

The effectiveness of any program is a direct reflection of its leadership and execution. In my experience, there is a profound disconnect between those who manage the program and those who deliver it.

Misplaced Organizational Priorities: There's a pervasive sense that strict adherence to slides and administrative protocols takes precedence over our core mission of "Helping our warriors." When the focus shifts to checking boxes rather than fostering genuine transformation, the program loses its heart.
Suboptimal Training Delivery: The curriculum, while containing valuable information, is often delivered in an overly scripted manner that feels more like military indoctrination than inspiring, impactful civilian readiness training. The reliance on paper handouts that are often discarded further contributes to this inefficiency. This is particularly challenging for modern learners who expect dynamic, interactive content.

Systemic Inefficiencies and Lack of Accountability

A healthy organization thrives on consistency, fairness, and a culture of continuous improvement. When these elements are absent, morale suffers, and the mission is compromised.

Inconsistent Standards and Accountability: I have observed instances of uneven accountability, where standards for one counselor's classroom are not applied to another's. This kind of inconsistency creates a challenging environment and undermines the integrity of the program.
Ineffective Feedback Surveys: The current feedback surveys are not designed to help counselors and educators improve. They often fail to provide the kind of constructive, daily feedback needed for continuous improvement. This places the burden on individual counselors to proactively adjust their methods, a task that is difficult in an environment that may not recognize professional development or credentials outside of mandatory training.

Operational Hurdles and Wasteful Resources

The day-to-day operational challenges faced by counselors directly hinder their ability to serve. These are not minor inconveniences; they are critical barriers to effective service delivery.

Unstable Resources and Connectivity: For months, TAP counselors have operated without stable internet or permanent phone lines, making consistent client contact and resource access a daily struggle. This foundational instability is a systemic deficit that directly impacts the quality of service.
Gross Waste of Critical Resources: As noted in my research, there have been instances of millions of dollars of taxpayer-funded books being discarded. This not only represents a profound financial waste but, more importantly, it deprives transitioning service members of essential resources, reinforcing the perception of a program that is out of touch with the needs of its clients and its staff.

A Bridge to the Future

These are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a larger system in need of reinvention. When counselors and educators are not properly supported, given the right tools, or operating within a culture of accountability and empowerment, they cannot be expected to effectively serve the very service members they are committed to helping. The solutions must start from within.

My next article in this series will delve into the critical need for a human-centered redesign of TAP, proposing solutions that leverage technology, mentorship, and modern learning theory to truly empower our transitioning service members.

Disclaimer

The insights and opinions expressed in this article series are solely those of the author, Dr. Lazaro Antonio Astro, and reflect his independent evaluation as a veteran, educator, and transition counselor. This content is based on personal observation, professional experience, and independent research conducted strictly off-duty and without federal funding.

These views are not affiliated with, officially endorsed by, or representative of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), or any other government entity. This disclaimer is essential to clarify that the author's professional analysis, while deeply informed by extensive experience within the military transition landscape, is presented as an independent perspective and does not constitute an official report or statement from any government agency. This ensures professional transparency and avoids any potential misrepresentation of official positions or policies.

Navigating Your Educational Future as Active Duty in Transition

Navigating Your Educational Future as Active Duty in Transition: Lessons from a Veteran's GI Bill Journey

As a Military & Family Life Counselor with over three decades of service in military leadership, counseling, and education, I've had the distinct privilege of working alongside countless service members and their families as they navigate critical life transitions. For the past 19 months, it has been an honor to directly teach a dedicated 2-Day Education track to active-duty personnel in transition, where understanding the GI Bill consistently emerges as a cornerstone of their post-service planning. These discussions, coupled with my own journey, have shaped the insights I share today.

My understanding of these invaluable educational benefits isn't just theoretical; it stems from profound firsthand experience. From 2007 to 2017, I personally utilized both the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) and the Post-9/11 GI Bill during my own extensive educational pursuits.

My academic path included a Bachelor's degree from the University of Santo Tomas (before joining the Navy) then during the Navy with Central Texas College and a Master's of Science in Organization Management from the University of La Verne. Initially, I largely leveraged Tuition Assistance for these early graduate studies. Later, I began integrating Top-Up with my GI Bill for postgraduate work, which included M.Div. programs at Bethel University and Amridge University (formerly Southern Christian University). While my goals shifted while I was in the Reserved (after 10 years active I was discharged) from being a Youth Pastor back to active duty planning to become a Navy Counselor around 2002 after two focused years of seminary, my academic pursuit continued, even encompassing time in the Navy Reserve and a brief two-month period as a Chaplain candidate for the US Air Force Reserve.

Finally, I embarked on a challenging PhD journey at Capella University (my enrollment spanned 2006-2018), which involved eight years of dedicated study and research, with the final three years solely devoted to intense dissertation work. This comprehensive path, spanning multiple institutions and types of military service, provided me with a profound understanding of their unique strengths, their complexities, and some less obvious challenges. Understanding these nuances is crucial for truly maximizing your earned benefits and charting your next chapter.

Essential Prerequisite: Honorable Service

Before delving into specific benefits, it's vital to note that eligibility for most VA education benefits, including both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills, generally requires an honorable discharge from service. While some other discharge types may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the VA, an honorable discharge is the clearest path to eligibility.

The Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30): Direct Control with Nuances

The MGIB-AD is often recognized for its straightforward direct payment to the student, offering flexibility in how funds are managed.

Key Features & Financials:

Eligibility: Generally for those who entered active duty after June 30, 1985, and completed a minimum service obligation (typically 2 or 3 years). You must also have earned a high school diploma or GED, or completed 12 hours toward a college degree.
The "$1,200 Contribution": A mandatory contribution of $1,200 ($100 per month for the first 12 months of service) is required upon initial enrollment in the benefit.
Payment Method: You receive a flat monthly payment directly. This means you are responsible for paying your tuition, fees, housing, and books from this stipend.
Program Coverage: Offers broad coverage for various programs, including college, business, technical, or vocational schools, apprenticeships, on-the-job training (OJT), correspondence courses, flight training, and national tests for licenses or certifications.
Time Limit: Generally, benefits expire 10 years from your last date of separation from active duty.

My Experience & Perspective:

Early in my educational journey, the MGIB's direct monthly payment offered a degree of financial control that was valuable for managing my expenses. However, a common point of clarification I emphasize when counseling, and something I experienced myself, is concerning the initial $1,200 contribution. This sum isn't a directly refundable deposit that you get back as a lump sum simply by using the benefit. Instead, it's a contribution that enhances the overall monthly payout you receive over the life of the benefit. A refund of this contribution typically occurs only if you elect to transfer from the MGIB to the Post-9/11 GI Bill and subsequently exhaust all 36 months of your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Without meeting these specific conditions, the $1,200 is not refunded as a direct lump sum, which was my experience. Understanding this nuance is crucial for managing expectations.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33): Comprehensive Support, Different Considerations

The Post-9/11 GI Bill, designed to be more expansive, directly addresses tuition and provides additional allowances, making it a powerful benefit for post-service education.

Key Features & Financials:

Eligibility: Generally, for those who served at least 90 days on active duty after September 10, 2001, or received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, or were discharged due to a service-connected disability after 30 continuous days of service. Your length of service directly impacts the percentage of benefits you receive.
No "Buy-In": There is no financial contribution required from the service member.
Payment Method: Tuition and fees are paid directly to your school (up to 100% of public in-state tuition; capped for private/foreign schools at $28,937.09 for the 2024-2025 academic year). You also receive separate payments for: Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA): This allowance, based on the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for an E-5 with dependents in your school's zip code, helps with living costs while attending school. Books & Supplies Stipend: Up to $1,000 per academic year to help cover the cost of required books and materials.
Yellow Ribbon Program: This invaluable program allows eligible private or out-of-state public institutions to partner with the VA to cover tuition costs that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill's annual cap. It is available to those who are 100% eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Purple Heart recipients, and Fry Scholars.
Time Limit: For service members whose last discharge or release from active duty was on or after January 1, 2013, their benefits never expire (often called the "Forever GI Bill"). For service before that date, benefits generally expire 15 years after separation.

My Experience & Perspective:

While the Post-9/11 GI Bill offers incredibly comprehensive benefits, particularly for those pursuing higher education, my personal journey highlighted specific considerations for active-duty service members. As I pursued my PhD in counseling while still on active duty, I experienced firsthand that the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) portion is not paid out when using the benefit while serving, as active-duty members are already receiving housing benefits through their military pay. Furthermore, utilizing Post-9/11 benefits concurrently with Tuition Assistance (as a "Top-Up") can impact your remaining entitlement differently. By 2015, after dedicating my GI Bill benefits to my M.Div. and into my PhD research at Capella University, I found my entitlement exhausted. This extensive use, particularly for my PhD (spanning eight years of dedicated study and research), ultimately consumed approximately 26 months of my 36-month entitlement.

The final three years of my doctoral research, specifically, involved navigating an additional $60,000 in student loans. This financial deep dive certainly added an extra layer of "research" to my studies and tested my resilience, much like a complex strategic operation. Despite these significant financial hurdles and the nuances of active-duty usage, the direct payment of tuition and the overall comprehensive support provided were undeniably valuable for pursuing advanced studies and alleviating initial financial burdens.

Beyond MGIB & Post-9/11: Other Key Educational Pathways

While the MGIB and Post-9/11 GI Bill are the most widely known, it's important to be aware of other significant VA education benefits:

Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606): This benefit is for members of the Selected Reserve who sign a 6-year obligation. It provides a monthly benefit to help with education costs while serving in the Reserve.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31): Often referred to as "Voc Rehab," this program assists veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable employment. It can cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and sometimes even a living stipend. Eligibility is based on a service-connected disability rating and an employment handicap.

See disclaimer below for accuracy and timeliness of the articles and visuals as understood and designed by the Author based on his experienced using it from 2001-2014 and interpreting the current regulations and experience TAP Educator.

Key Distinctions and Strategic Choices

The decision between these powerful benefits, or how to combine them, depends heavily on your individual circumstances and educational aspirations:

Payment Structure: MGIB offers direct cash flexibility; Post-9/11 provides direct institutional payments plus separate allowances, which can mean fewer upfront costs for the student.
Transferability: A major advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the ability to transfer unused benefits to a spouse or children, a feature not available with the MGIB.
Expiration: The "Forever GI Bill" for recent service members under the Post-9/11 GI Bill offers unparalleled long-term planning flexibility compared to the MGIB's 10-year limit.
Active Duty Use: Active duty personnel should carefully consider the implications of using Post-9/11 benefits while serving, as housing allowances are typically not paid and entitlement usage can differ based on concurrent use with Tuition Assistance.

It’s also important to note the Rudisill decision, which clarified that veterans eligible for both MGIB and Post-9/11 GI Bill may now utilize up to 48 months of combined benefits in certain scenarios. This provides even greater flexibility for extensive education or multiple degrees.

Empowering Your Next Chapter

In my role as an educator in the Transition Assistance Program, I consistently emphasize that understanding your GI Bill options is a fundamental step in charting your civilian career and academic path. Both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills represent profound investments in our veterans. Each serves a unique purpose, and the "best" choice is truly personal, depending on whether your priority is vocational training, a traditional degree, family benefits, or managing direct living expenses.

Your service has earned these invaluable opportunities. My sincere hope is that by sharing insights from both my professional experience teaching this topic and my personal journey as a GI Bill recipient, you feel more confident in navigating these choices.

Dr. Lazaro Antonio Astro, PhD, GCDF, CMCS, CMF, CCSP

Virginia Beach, VA

Professional Summary: Dedicated and compassionate Military & Family Life Counselor with over 30 years of experience in military leadership, counseling, and education. Proven expertise in providing non-medical counseling services to military personnel and their families, with a focus on school-aged children. Skilled in crisis intervention, family support, and facilitating workshops aimed at enhancing resilience and well-being. Holds active Secret Clearance and multiple certifications in career development and counseling.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article is based on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and personal experience. Please be advised that rules, regulations, and benefit rates for the GI Bill programs can change. For the most accurate, up-to-date, and personalized information regarding your specific eligibility and benefits, always consult directly with a VA Education Benefits Authority.

If you are reading this and have additional insights, different experiences, or more current guidelines regarding any aspect of GI Bill benefits, particularly concerning the $1,200 contribution refund or active-duty usage, please share your perspective in plain language with your latest references. Your contributions can further help empower our veteran community.

References

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.-a).

Education and Training Benefits | Veterans Affairs. Retrieved July 31, 2025, from https://www.va.gov/education/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.-b).

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) | Veterans Affairs. Retrieved July 31, 2025, from https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-active-duty/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.-c).

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) | Veterans Affairs. Retrieved July 31, 2025, from https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.-d).

Yellow Ribbon Program | Veterans Affairs. Retrieved July 31, 2025, from https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/yellow-ribbon-program/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.-e).

Tuition Assistance Top-Up. Retrieved July 31, 2025, from https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/tuition-assistance-top-up/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.-f).

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) | Veterans Affairs. Retrieved July 31, 2025, from https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-selected-reserve/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.-g).

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) | Veterans Affairs. Retrieved July 31, 2025, from https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024a, May 1).

How to Transfer from the Montgomery GI Bill to the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Retrieved July 31, 2025, from https://www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill-from-montgomery-gi-bill/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024b, May 22).

GI Bill® benefit rates. Retrieved July 31, 2025, from https://www.va.gov/education/benefit-rates/gi-bill-benefit-rates/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024c, February 15).

Rudisill decision about using multiple GI Bill programs. Retrieved July 31, 2025, from https://www.va.gov/education/changes-to-gi-bill-benefits/rudisill-decision/

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