The Army Transition Program: Time for Institutionalization or Termination?

This study examines the U. S. Army Transition Program. The thesis of the study is that the Army Transition Program is critical to meeting the needs of soldiers departing the Army voluntarily and involuntarily. Also, the program is critical to the Army in the way it effects the level of organizational commitment of soldiers remaining on active duty. The study briefly traces the programs policy development and implementation. Program performance and outcomes are analyzed to demonstrate that the program is meeting the needs of separating soldiers. Program resource costs are analyzed in the context of benefits derived for the Army and the Federal Government. The study concludes that the program has become part of the Army personnel life-cycle system, expected and valued by soldiers, and should continue as a permanent component of the Armys overall human resource strategy.