Getting Out Update: ACAP and Retention
Well it is official, I made my intention to the Retention representatives that I wanted to ETS out of the Army. That was a painful conversation to say the least. But then again so has almost every conversation has been like that.
To sum it up nicely it can be described in how I will fail at life if I ever left the Army. One of the biggest things that came up was having a letter of acceptance. I understand the idea, but I am not aware of any job or college that will save you a spot for over a year before you arrive? From what I understand that is a problem with the Guard and Reserve in keeping their jobs when they deploy. So what makes you think that they will do that when there are plenty of people that are ready to be hired/admitted right now?
There were some other things that I do not think that he was understanding or making a attempt to understand, but that would go on for awhile. But the conversation felt like breaking up with a crazy Ex.
1. You cannot live without me.
2. Your leaving the best thing in your life.
3. You will come crawling back begging me to take you back.
Yea not fun, but I am glad that it is done so that I can begin the ACAP process.
I registered at the ACAP website and completed the DD Form 2648 online. For the most part it was a long list of programs that I could be offered during and after my ACAP process. For example the VA benefits and GI Bill. I just have to find a ACAP facility to go in and have it signed.
Speaking of which I have a few questions that I wanted to ask anyone who has used or using to attend college. Because according to theGI bill website , they get slammed with requests at the beginning of each semester. So I want to make sure that I turn my application in with plenty of time. But because the school semester that I am looking at (Fall 2013) is so far off that they might say that I making my request too early. The earliest that I could apply for admissions would be Early in 2013. (I want to go to UTSA Pre-Nursing program).
Going back to the ACAP process, I am making a list of items that I would like additional help and guidance with. For example the Individual transition plan. I have a good idea of what I want to do. I just need help putting together the minor details. For example like how can I obtain additional certification such as CPR instructor. The idea is I can secure a Medial Assistant job in case there is a wait time when I finish all of my per-nursing classes waiting to be admitted to UTSA Health Science center. Also I am still up in the air about going into the National Guard, be it Air Force or Army. But then again I do not have enough information right now about what is going on with the drawn down is effecting them. I have been watching the open MOS slots for the Texas National Guard in the mean time.
But overall things are going in the right direction. As before any advice or information is welcomed.
Category: Veterans Issues
will you be using Chapter 30 or Chapter 33? I turn mine in at least a month prior to start of next semester.
Spork – it won’t apply if you are going to UTSA, but other readers should know about the Yellow Ribbon program. YR offers the state resident tuition rate for a state university at a private university. Most schools have a POC for the YR program in their financial aid office.
Spork good luck my situation was very different than yours, but I’ll be any help in any way I can. Look me up on Facebook my e-mail is the same as I use here. If nothing else I can point you in the direction of some guys who have tread the same path as you.
If you join the TX Guard, your school is free and you can uses the GI Bill to live. It is a great benefit that a few states provide their guard members.
Nursing programs often have very long waiting lists. You should call up the admissions office at the nursing school and ask them how to best do it.
1. I am not sure what you are referring to. Can you shoot me a link?
2. Good to know.
3. I am having trouble finding you, here is my Facebook.
4. I was hoping to find if anyone is in the Texas Guard to talk to them. Because I am having trouble find a good way to talk to them because of the time difference.
5. The people over at UTSA Health Science center will not talk to me until I have completed all of the pre -reg classes. Also the I am trying to talk to UTSA (normal campus) about getting into the pre reg classes for now.
Spork added you.
Spork
what’s the time difference? I’m in the Texas Guard right now (actually right now I’m sitting on my ass at home, but you get the point).
shoot me an email with questions
Thanks, email sent.
When I got out of the reg army in 76, I thought the platoon would flounder without my skills with the Gamma Goat and the 81MM mortar. Within 6 months, I think they forgot who I was.
13 years later, I joined the CA Nat Guard– and ended up retiring. 6 months later, they forgot who I was again.
Spork, the Guard is an excellent choice and you can re-enlist from your current location directly into it to prevent a break in service/loss of rank.
Like others said, it will also pad your college beer funds.
An additional bonus is that it will feed your addiction for fraternity while reminding you of why you don’t want to put up with the Army the other 28 days of the month. It may be one of the best military rehabilitation programs out there.
Another bonus is that the members of that unit may be able to help you network into the job you want.
Also on the job front, you might find the ESGR list of Pro-Troop businesses helpful, like those here: http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/protroop_businesses/ They made that list because a Guard or Reserve Soldier nominated them, based on past performance.
I don’t know if they’ve improved ACAP, but it wasn’t much of a help for me.
Yeah, sounds like a lot of the crap I heard when I got out. Yet strangely enough the Navy has managed just fine without me, and vice versa.
11.During the DD Form 2648 I asked for more info on that because it all depends on the state.
The Navy knew there is one and only Sparky…..Spork? Check with the State of Texas for employment while you are at it. You might be able to land a job at Camp Mabry and with your combat medic skills, maybe even a slot in DPS.
Spork, granted I used the oooold GI Bill back when we did close order drill with muskets and it took months for me to get my first check after registering at the beginning of August for the fall semester. What it’s like now, I don’t known but I’d be sure to have all my paperwork done the semester before.
Good luck Spork, in whatever you choose.
Turn in about a few months early if you can, but not a year early. Your very first paycheck is the hardest. After that they have you in their system and it shouldn’t take more than a month, but the first one is a doozy.
This is a complaint I heard all the time: “My recruiter told me I’d have all these cool experiences, a lot of skills, and money for college. He told me that after just four years active duty, I’d be set for life. Four years later the Career Jammer is telling me that if I get out I’m going to be homeless and starve to death because I won’t be able to find a job or get into school.”
Hahahaha. It’s almost like the recruiter and the career jammer aren’t talking to each other.
I’d put my vote in for Nasty Guard, too, but I have only ever been NG (albeit on active orders for over 8 of my 9 years), so my opinion is probably pretty skewed. Most anyone can play Army for one weekend a month, however, and the extra pocket change can be a helpful cushion. We get people on a “try 1” who do a single year in the Guard to cancel out their two-year IRR commitment; I would guess that we keep about 2/3 of those people beyond that first year.
Spork,
@1 was referring to which type of GI Bill will you be using to pay for school. Most people today go for the Post 9/11 aka Chapter 33. At UTSA, it covers all tuition and fees, pays E5 BAH ($1275/mo for S.A.), and a book stipend up to $1000/yr. I usually have to come up with a few hundred dollars a semester to cover the difference in books, but I am a senior in Engineering so my books are outrageously priced.
As to when to apply for benefits, I would say around the start of summer (beginning to middle of May) would be ample. For advice from someone more in the know on these things, contact the VA Certification Office at UTSA (210) 458-4540, ask for Joe Polasek or Andrea Watts. The staff is willing to find answers to any VA education related question you have, you just have to take the initiative to ask. I have also heard that by the start of Fall 2012 there will be actual VA benefits reps in place on campus (one for education and one for general benefits).
Good luck and will see you at school in the near future.
Gary Walters
Vice President
Student Veterans Association at UTSA
I left the Army after 8 years to go to college and am now a Registered Nurse, there are lots of options for you paying for school above the GI Bill. I used the GI Bill in combination with the State of NC Workforce Investment Act program. Another option for you is instead of being a Medical Assistant, take the CNA 1 and 2 classes. For one some nursing schools are requiring it at least here in NC they are. Secound, you can work in a Hospital that will pay the rest of your tuition.
The Negative to joining the Guard or Reserves is that Clinicals for Nursing can not be made up, therefore you will have conflict with going to AT, or even some Drill Weekends.
Good Luck to You.
Hey Spork, congrats on starting your civilian life. In regards to the gibill, I would go with the post 9/11 since it will pay your tuition, giving you a living allowance and book stipend. It also means that there will be no up front cost to you and your classes will be set aside for you since the va wont pay the tuition until the 5 th week of the semester. Also, UTSA should have priority registration for veterans, first pick of classes is always a good thing especially classes that are in demand like nursing or business. Remember to start your unemployment benefits process a week or 2 before you leave the military so that you can the cash ASAP. I would also check with your state’s unemployment department to see if they have a program similar to CA where if youre studying for a degree or certificate that will give you a specific job, you could just collect unemployment while going to school and not have to search for a job.
Also, make sure every single award that you have received is on your dd214. I’m missing an ARCOM and have no clue how to get it on there.
Sorry if this all has been covered, I didn’t bother reading all of the comments.
Yes I am tracking that and constantly looking to see what else I can do in the mean time.
Seriously doubt you can use NG Ed benefits and Chapter 33 due to VA’s net tuition provisions. I can’t think of any reason not to apply to VA for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) shortly after ETS.