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Accession Number:

AD1157754

Title:

TRANSITIONING VETERANS: Improvements Needed in DOD's Performance Reporting and Monitoring of the Transition Assistance Program

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Author Organization(s):

Report Date:

2017-11-08

Abstract:

In fiscal year 2016, the Department of Defense (DOD) lacked data for 48 percent of National Guard and Reserve members and 12 percent of active duty servicemembers which resulted in DOD potentially misstating performance of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) in its public reporting. Under the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, DOD must require that all eligible separating servicemembers participate in TAP, with some exceptions. However, the VOW Act compliance rates that DOD publicly reported were not based on all eligible servicemembers--they excluded servicemembers for whom DOD lacked data. For example, had DOD included all transitioning National Guard and Reserve members--including those for whom they lacked participation data--the resulting participation rate for Guard and Reserve members may have been as low as 47 percent instead of 94 percent, which DOD publicly reported in fiscal year 2016. In November 2016, DOD launched a new data collection system that officials say will improve data completeness and reporting abilities. In fiscal year 2016, DOD met its goal of 85 percent of active duty servicemembers (i.e., not members of the National Guard and Reserves) who met VOW Act requirements and attained Career Readiness Standards, according to GAO's analysis. In order to complete TAP, servicemembers generally must participate in three required courses and have their Career Readiness Standards verified by a unit commander or designee. In addition, commanders or their designee must ensure that servicemembers who do not meet these standards are referred to staff of partner agencies, such as the Department of Labor and Department of Veterans Affairs, for additional services, commonly called a "warm handover." However, fewer than half of all eligible servicemembers completed TAP on time--90 days or more before separation.

Pages:

15

File Size:

0.44MB

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Distribution Statement:

Approved For Public Release

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