AFRC offers career resources to military retirees, separatees

  • Published
  • By Laura Mowry
  • Staff Writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 95th Air Base Wing's Airmen and Family Readiness Center wants to help make the transition from military to civilian life seamless. This includes providing a variety of career resources to transitioning military.

Preparing for civilian life begins approximately 24 months out for retirees and 12 months out for separatees.

"Transitioning from the military is a big change in someone's life. We really want people thinking about it further in advance. That way, we can provide them with the information they need, it allows time to digest all of it, and they can ask questions and learn more about any areas that raise questions," said Glenn Arola, a community readiness counselor for the AFRC.

The process begins with the Pre-separation Counseling Course. Individuals are provided with all the resources they need to transition from military to civilian life. Part of the counseling includes filling out an Individual Transition Plan worksheet, which helps service members align their military skills with the proper civilian career fields.

"Not everyone understands how their skills translate to the civilian world. This worksheet covers just about everything and is an extremely valuable resource," said Arola.

Attending the Pre-separation Counseling Course is highly informative, as it educates retirees and separatees on their available benefits as well as career and education resources.

The session is held every Wednesday, with the exception of the first week in the 95th Mission Support Group conference room in Bldg. 3000.

Arola partners with community readiness consultant, Linda Crump, to educate those getting ready to transition to civilian life. As prior military, she understands the importance of making the process as seamless as possible.

"I don't think people realize how big of an adjustment it is, until they're actually a civilian. The military is so much more than a job. It's a way of life," said Crump.

To ensure those transitioning are adequately prepared for civilian employment, the AFRC offers the Department of Labor Employment Workshop once a month in the Looking Glass Room, located in the Air Force Flight Test Center's Conference Center, Bldg. 5620.

"We want to encourage individuals to participate in the workshop the month following their pre-separation counseling. This allows everyone adequate time to process the information and still have plenty of time to get answers to their questions," said Arola.

The three-day seminar, held the first week of every month, provides servicemembers with an in-depth look at everything they will need to know, from how to build a resume to understanding TRICARE. It also includes briefings from the legal department and the Department of Veteran Affairs.

"The Department of Labor workshop provides participants with a wealth of information and career resources. It is highly recommended that everyone takes the workshop," Arola said. "There is so much information that I tell people not to make any appointments during the three-day period, to ensure that they get the most out of the workshop."

Aside from the pre-separation counseling and the Department of Labor Employment Workshop, the AFRC is able to have one-on-one appointments with servicemembers. They will answer questions, review your resume, or provide you with additional career resources.

"We have incredible resources for retirees and separatees. There is so much we can do to help. If you don't know where to begin, just give us a call and set up an appointment," said Crump. "Whatever your career resource needs, the staff at the AFRC are standing by, ready to help."

For more information, call Glenn Arola at (661) 277-8451.