Base’s Employee and Transition Assistance programs help with crucial stages of life

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE — Whether you’re starting a new career at Robins Air Force Base or reaching the end of one, two programs are available to guide you into your next chapter.

To begin a career on Base, you may participate in the Employee Assistance Program. 

Tiffany Franklin, a Community Readiness Consultant at the Military Family Readiness Center, manages the EAP, a program available to civil service employees, outgoing military and their spouses, children or parents. Their main objective is to help job seekers find employment and promotions; it’s a program designed to match job seekers with their purpose, as Franklin explained.

“You just don’t want to jump into a job that only matches your skills. You want it to also match your values as well, so that you’re not only successful in your job, but you’re also happy at your job,” Franklin said.

And it’s more than just glancing at their resume; Franklin mentioned several ways the program helps, such as finding job leads, teaching interview skills, and resume workshops.

Franklin said the program matches job seekers with opportunities on base, in the private sector, and in volunteer organizations.

Typically, the program sees many people attempting to find employment on base; however, amid a federal hiring freeze, the program is witnessing a shift to off-base locations.

Once a job seeker finds a potential career path, it’s time to work on the resume.

“I’ll sit down with them and help them to match their resume to what that job announcement is looking for, so that they have a better chance of getting hired,” Franklin said.

Franklin said federal resumes, the kind required for jobs at Robins Air Force Base, are vastly different than a typical resume.

With high competition in federal positions, tailoring each resume to the job announcement is crucial, Franklin said. She also enjoys explaining the hiring process, saying it puts applicants’ minds at ease and reduces secrecy.

She calls the program a win-win for both job seekers and employers. Future employees will know how to stand out among a sea of applicants, and hiring managers will have an easier time finding someone qualified.

“We’re helping to get qualified individuals in those mission critical roles,” Franklin said.

On the flip side of the coin, if you’re looking to transition from military to civilian life, the Transition Assistance Program is here to facilitate, a program available to all service members and, on a space-available basis, to military spouses.

Tiffany Oshiro, the program’s Community Readiness Consultant, stated that the program’s primary objective is to decrease unemployment among veterans.

“We’ll look at what they’re doing now, what they want to do in the future and what they need to do to bridge that gap,” Oshiro said.

The program will begin with financial planning, provide information on Veterans Affairs benefits and services, and teach skills for creating a resume and preparing for interviews. After covering the basics, the program splits into two tracks, focusing on employment or entrepreneurship.

“What we were hearing from service members on the congressional level is they wished the program was more catered toward their specific needs instead of everyone doing the same thing. So now its very targeted toward their needs so they can be put in a different tier based on their circumstances,” Oshiro explained.

Service members are required to begin the program a year before their retirement date; however, Oshiro said that those interested in getting a head start can find benefits earlier. The program also often finds members from the reserves and guard vying for the waitlist.

Oshiro recommends getting an early start if possible, especially if retirees plan to file a disability claim.

Overall, the program aims to support airmen and ensure their success.

“They’ve put service before self their entire careers, and now it is our time to make sure they are taken care of going forward,” Oshiro said.

To take advantage of the EAP or TAP, call (478) 926-1256 or visit the office, located on base at 725 9th Street, open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.