Retiring from the US Navy is exciting, but also requires a myriad of important steps as you transition out of uniform. This advice is meant to help you out.
NOTE: This article was written by Alicia D. Baqueroalvarez & Edited by J. Marcelo Baqueroalvarez.
From one Veteran to another
Introduction First off, congratulations!! You are about to embark on the next chapter. Believe me, there will be plenty of opportunity to work and play now. If you have kids, you’ll be able to spend more time with them. You can commit more time with your significant other. You have hobbies? Explore! Have you put that college degree off long enough? Now you’ll have time to finish and more. Nails, hair, beard! That very first morning of house/job hunting Temporary Duty (TDY) or terminal leave, sleep the fuck in! You EARNED it!
However, I would be a terrible retiree if I didn’t mention that this will take effort, time, and patience to reach. Transition Assistance Program (TAP) *formerly T-GPS* just won’t allow you enough bandwidth to absorb every bit of information that they send your way. I don’t care if you take it once, or three times, it’s not enough.
I was also processing my retirement alone, during Chief Petty Officer Initiation, still working in the office, while my husband was deployed for nine months, and taking care of my two diagnosed Exceptional Family Member (EFM) kids: non-verbal Autism Spectrum pre-teen and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) w/anxiety young adult. AAAAAHHHHHH!!! After I went through my experience, I knew I wanted to let my military family know what I went through, provide tips, lessons learned, and how to avoid worst-case scenarios and pitfalls. So, without further ado, let’s do this!!
Let’s get started!
Let’s begin I cannot stress enough how important it is going to be to make time for you to complete all your tasks and self-care. Yes! Checking in on YOUR mental, physical, and spiritual health will fall on you more times than anyone else will make you into their priority. Sadly. In order to achieve this while getting through required tasking within your current situation, it is incredibly important to communicate early and effectively on your intention to separate/retire. You can do this one year out but there’s nothing wrong with stating this earlier than at a Career Development Board (CDB), counseling session, or visit with the boss.
I highly recommend that you do this formerly via email. Make sure your supervisor, Department Leading Chief Petty Officer (DLCPO)/Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO), Department Head, Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL)/Command Master Chief (CMC), Career Counselor, Departmental/Divisional Career Counselor, and Admin are copied on this notice and don’t be afraid to provide details. However, do some research and come up with a plan.
For example, I provided a timeline with approximate dates when tasks would start/finish, such as job/house hunting Temporary Duty, terminal leave, Transition Assistance Program, Skillbridge, and do NOT forget including turnover- your primary as well as collateral jobs. Don’t take a dump on those who will take over after you’re gone. My Department Head (who was also retiring) had the right idea; we both put together turnover binders for our primary. I made a turnover hand-out for each of my collaterals. That made it much easier for everyone.
This also ensures there’s less risk of someone calling you while you’re on job and house hunting and/or terminal, asking for things, so do yourself a favor. Also, be realistic. Some of us fill jobs that are easier to fill than others. It’s going to be on you to formulate an air-tight argument when and how you transition. If you have a “moody” Chain of Command, you’re going to need to prepare your plan with quoted instructions and know the difference between rights and privileges and what those are. It’s just safer to assume that they do not. Remember, this is YOUR retirement and no one will care more than YOU- believe me.
Retirement resources, you’ll need these!
Retirement Accounts! You will need two accounts- HANDS DOWN: eBenefits and Milconnect. When you start to register for a new account, do NOT access the “CAC” tab. Remember, you will no longer have a CAC after you retire. You will establish a DSL login. Do NOT register using your military email address. It will be the BIGGEST pain when you need to link it to your civilian email address. Trust me. Just don’t do it.
- Home – VA/DoD eBenefits · milConnect (osd.mil)
Customer Service. You’re bound to need help during this process. Make sure you know if you need to contact Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), Veterans Affairs (VA), My Navy Career Center (MNCC) or My Pay. For DFAS: Retired Military & Annuitants (dfas.mil). For Department of Veterans Affairs: VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs For My Navy Career Center (MNCC):
I would like to stress use of the “submit a ticket” feature under askDFAS or email Ask MNCC. Both are equally responsive. The ticket or email will be responded to within 24 normal business hours and it WILL get a response. I’ve had only good experiences.
Forms, forms, forms. The first time my Admin gave me a list of the required documents that I need to complete and turn in for submission to MNCC, I was so upset. Seriously. But, a moment later, I knew I had to just take a deep breath and take one thing at a time. Whew. BUT- there are a few things I want you to pay attention to while you’re filling these very important documents out. Remember this: take time to fill the documents out accurately. PLEASE. I cannot stress enough: If you don’t understand something, ASK QUESTIONS. You can make changes up until the point that they’re accepted by PERS. So, in other words, if you submit something to Admin, and it has already been submitted via Transaction Online Processing System (TOPS/NP2),
you can submit forms with changes. That’s why it’s so important to keep your Admin closely in the loop. The following forms are required and you should plan to submit them to your Admin no earlier than 6 months from the date of separation and no later than 60 days prior to the start of terminal leave. I highly recommend you electronically fill everything out, if possible, so there are no delays simply because the forms are not legible.
- NPPSC Separations Questionnaire (NPPSC 1900/1 Rev. 08-2019)
- This form is pretty easy to fill out and self-explanatory. Just be aware that your dental should be current, and your name shouldn’t be on any hit lists for Class 3 or 4. Don’t worry about getting a cleaning if you’re a Class 1 or 2. You qualify for free dental cleaning if you don’t get a cleaning just prior to separation. Otherwise, it will be in accordance with the Tricare healthcare plan you choose after you retire. *I could never understand this. * You also will need to complete your final physical (In my case, it was at Navy Medical Center Portsmouth- Deployment Health Clinic, Building 3, second floor, across from the Chapel). Endorsements from your medical and dental will finalize this form.
- Ensure you visit your Deployment Health Clinic in order to obtain the required Separation Physical Check List. This list will include visits to the Lab; Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) for your Audiogram; Optometry (Hampton Roads Retirees: Norfolk Naval Shipyard Medical Clinic ONLY, Monday-Friday @ 0900), and Deployment Health Clinic (LAST STOP) *Bring Separation Physical Check List and Separation Questionnaire for final signatures. *
- You need to move through the Separation Physical Check List quickly so you can get a timely appointment for your final separation physical through your Deployment Health Clinic. Literally, I had to beg this kind guy manning the desk at the time for a last-minute appointment. Don’t be like me. Be better!
- Service Member Pre-Separation/Transition Counseling and Career Readiness Standards eForm for Service Members Separating, Retiring, and Released from Active Duty (REFRAD) (DD Form 2648, Oct 2019)
- This should be completed by your Transition Counselor/Career Counselor AFTER you complete Transition Assistance Program (TAP) along with your Capstone and signed by the two of you in blocks 26 and 27. In my experience, my Command Career Counselor was on top of it. She filled it out, emailed it to me, I looked it over for any errors, and we both digitally signed it. She actually forwarded it to MNCC for PERS to process but just ensure this form is completed and your Command Career Counselor is doing their part.
- Data for Payment of Retired Personnel (DD Form 2656, Oct 2018)
- This form is incredibly important because it contains the information that will be used to create your DD-214. Any mistakes you make, or things you don’t include, will forward over to your DD-214 and will be permanent. You will need to fill out and process a DD-215 to make any corrections once PERS gets a hold of it. What’s important to note on this form is your awards, campaigns, certifications, training, collaterals, dependent, and tax exemption information. List EVERYTHING. Recognition from Navy Achievement Medal and above will apply to higher pay negotiation if you choose to take up a federal job. I pulled my campaigns from my evaluations and those, in addition to your medals, can qualify you for various benefits. The dependent information you provide will ensure you receive the correct amount of retirement pension pay, monthly, and the tax exemption information you provide will determine how much the government will take out before they pay you that monthly pension. I think I’ve made my point. Don’t forget to include supporting documentation when you route this form to Admin, such as copies of your Page 7, OMPF Record of Awards, Navy Department Awards Web Service (NDAWS) via BUPERS Online (BOL) *Remember to search under all last names used if divorced/married. *
- Recent copy of Veterans Military Education & Training (VMET)
- Google VMET or · milConnect – FAQ (osd.mil)
- The VMET document will gather all reported demographic, training, and experience records in one place and describe your service occupations in civilian terms.
- Approved Terminal Leave:
- If you have an Admiral, Chief of Staff, or higher command role, I recommend you route a hard copy leave chit through your Chain of Command for bottom line approval. After your O-6/O-5/Directorate approves, attach and submit to higher command via eLeave for final approval.
- Approved Permissive Temporary Duty (House/Job Hunting):
- I recommend you route this via hard copy Navy Special Request (NAVPERS 1336/3) for approval. You will receive stamped Temporary Additional Duty (TEMADD) Travel orders (NAVPERS 1320/16) before you start your house and/or job hunting.
- Remember, you are authorized to request to take 10 days for house hunting and 10 days for job hunting, back-to-back or separately, but your Chain of Command can recommend disapproval for various reasons. Your Commanding Officer will be the final decision, regardless of Chain of Command determination. A disapproval should include reasons.
- Fleet Reserve Approval:
- In order to receive your Fleet Reserve Approval message, several steps must be taken under the guidance and direction of your Command Career Counselor. First, route a Navy Special Request through your Chain of Command for approval. After you receive the approved request, your Career Counselor should direct you to log into NSIPS and request to be approved for Fleet Reserve. The tab is tricky to find so be prepared to search for a bit, but you’ll find it.
- NOTE: Your Admin comes into play, here. You need to ensure the proper person is added to your NSIPS for approval. The name should automatically show up just before your select “submit for approval. ” You can’t request approval for Fleet Reserve until you complete the Transition Assistance Program along with your Capstone.
- Additional Items that may be required:
- Involuntary Separation Pay (NAVPERS 1070/613)
- Copy of Separation Orders (OFFICERS ONLY)
- Copy of any prior DD-214s (OFFICERS or RESERVISTS)
Employment and Education Start early! Six months Seek out resources such as Hire Heroes USA, Hire Vets Now, Employment Navigator (through TAP), Skillbridge, Onward 2 Opportunity (doors do NOT close if you miss out on Skillbridge). Job/career fairs give you an opportunity to check out what’s out there, get your resume (and FACE) out there, and learn how to interact with potential employers.
It is recommended that you keep a “regular” resume and federal resume current. Personally, I used Hire Heroes USA to create both resumes but you may find your own. There are too many resume assistance companies to count. Once you have a resume that you’re happy with, there are plenty of places to post, such as USAJOBS – The Federal Government’s official employment site, LinkedIn: Log In or Sign Up, Security Clearance Jobs – ClearanceJobs, Job Search | Indeed, and Job Search – Millions of Jobs Hiring Near You | ZipRecruiter.
- It’s always smart to request a Memorandum of Record from your Security Manager that states your current security clearance level, determining agency, and expiration date. Your employer may appreciate that as it will save them valuable time. The Security Manager is unauthorized to print directly from NP2 but they can definitely create the memo for you. If they tell you no, they are ill-informed on one tiny aspect of their larger job. I was a Security Manager. I would know.
Recruit Military (https://recruitmilitary.com/) I met the Chief of Staff, Jennifer Hines, for Recruit Military’s U.S. Navy Retiree Spouses during a military outreach event and she is a great contact for connecting to this program.
Department of Veterans Services (DVS), Virginian Veteran and Family Support (VVFS) and Veteran Peer Specialists (VPS) (About VVFS – Virginia Department of Veterans Services) I met the East Regional Coordinator, David Skipper, at a recent military outreach event and was an excellent contact for some new resources that I collected.
Download the DVS application by searching Google Play or iTunes for “Virginia Veterans”
cell: 804-248-8644
I would take some time to explore the DVS website. It’s full of resources! Just some examples:
- Peer Support Services (540-840-3003 *Director*/1-877-285-1299) – comprehensive needs assessments, care coordination services for Behavioral Health, Rehabilitation and Supportive Services, direct linkage to treatment services for PTSD and PTBI as well as VA benefits, healthcare, employment, and education services, homeless and housing services, outreach, and education services.
- Outreach Connection & Support (1-877-285-1299) – comprehensive assessments of individual and family needs, family support services and groups, criminal justice and re-entry services, care coordination services for Behavioral Health, Rehabilitation and Supportive Services, direct linkage to treatment services for PTSD and PTBI as well as VA benefits, healthcare, employment, and education services, homeless and housing services, outreach, and education services.
- Justice Involved Services (
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 804-225-4735) – pre-release comprehensive needs assessment (veterans and/or problem solving treatment dockets, local jails and state prisons, probation and/or parole supervision), care coordination services for Behavioral Health, Rehabilitation and Supportive Services, direct linkage to treatment services for PTSD and PTBI as well as VA benefits, healthcare, employment, and education services, homeless and housing services, outreach, and education services.
Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E)/Chapter 31 VA Benefits Not the best news about this Veterans Affairs program of late. I applied for Chapter 31 in early April and have yet to hear from them about a date and time when I can come in for my preliminary assessment but ask anyone who’s done this, and the appointments
are being scheduled as far out as mid-2025 which is ridiculous. The VA is experiencing a shortage of trained counselors with no shortage of veterans in need of this benefit. I’m off-setting this by going through over training and employment veteran services.
Disability Claims
VA Disability Claim This process tends to become the longest, most frustrating, and confusing part of retiring. It doesn’t have to be. The Department of Veterans Affairs does include some incredible representatives, such as Brenda Lamb, but she’s not the one and only. If you use the DAV to process your claim, you’re assigned to a processing center from then, on. You cannot just go to any DAV. I tried going to the DAV representative at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and they turned me away.
It seems that, once you’ve established a privacy act statement with a particular office, you’re assigned to it indefinitely. Some retirees have gone to a third party, such as Veteran’s Guardian or their local VFW. You may need to pay for assistance in some cases. If that’s what you want to do, it’s up to you, but I don’t feel that it’s necessary. This part is when all your medical and dental records come into play. You will need to make an appointment with the DAV (that may happen while you’re attending Transition Assistance Program).
BE ON TIME. I cannot stress this enough. The DAV is not a shiny, friendly place. It is efficient and deliberate actions within that office. I felt on edge every time. Oh! But seriously. Make sure you listen carefully and bring a copy of all of your records- dental record, medical record (you will receive on CD which will include all x-rays you received), any records from civilian clinics or facilities you visited while you served.
VERY IMPORTANT! Do not bring originals to your appointment. Make copies of everything in advance. Do NOT punch any holes into the copies. I recommend that you just suck it up and pay to have an Office Max, Office Depot, UPS, etc. make copies for you. In my case, it was over 700+ pages that cost me about $100. I felt stress but you may not feel the same. I mean, we just discussed that some retirees have paid to have someone do everything as far as processing their VA disability claim, tip to tail, but this idea may not make you feel comfortable. Bottom-line, you have options.
After your appointment at the DAV, you will be contacted once ALL of your records have been sifted through and the representative has listed every single thing in your record that could possibly be claimed for disability. You will review and sign all applicable forms with them before they provide you with a very detailed instruction packet, explaining where to take your documents to (in my case, it was a DAV processing center at the Norfolk Business Center in Norfolk, VA). Once I turned in everything, it initiated the scheduling of all of my appointments to verify and confirm everything that was listed as a disability.
You will be assigned to one of two VA services. I was assigned to Veterans Evaluation Services and all notices for my appointments were mailed to me, but the deliveries were fast. I attended 6-7 appointments, but everyone has different medical issues. Yours could be significantly more. Within 60 days of my final exam, I received a packet in the mail that included the final determination of the percentage of disability I would receive, monthly, along with factors and evidence that helped the VA make their final decision. Mine is 70% but I can request an amendment which could potentially cause it to increase, but I was cautioned that there’s also situations where the amendment could decrease my current percentage.
I’ll update this supplemental when I gain experience from submitting an amendment but I’m staying put. For now. You should also receive a benefit package from the VA, too. Don’t just throw it out. Everything becomes an opportunity to take advantage of a resource or additional benefit that you EARNED. Don’t squander this.
- NOTE: If you already retired, and you’re processing your VA disability claim, ensure you also bring a copy of your DD-214.
VA Healthcare Services (As of October 2022, VA Hampton has been experiencing a backlog in new patients. Therefore, a provider of your choice in your community can be covered by VA Healthcare until one at VA Hampton can be assigned. A Community Care representative will contact you with a list of providers after consultation for Primary Care is complete which takes approx. 30 days.)
- Main: 757-722-9961 · New Patient Enrollment, ext. 2801 *New Patients | VA Saginaw Health Care | Veterans Affairs will provide you with New Patient Orientation. *
You can also optionally fill out a VA Form 10-10EZ, Jul 2022 along with a copy of your DD-214. Call 1-877-222-8387 (VETS) to apply for healthcare. Enrolling over the phone was super easy!
- Primary Care: New Patient Coordinator, ext. 2795
- Community Care, ext. 4900
- Hampton VA Medical Appointments, AFTER you are assigned a PCM, I suggest utilizing Schedule And View VA Appointments Online | Veterans Affairs. Make sure that you register for an My HealtheVet account via https://www.myhealth.va.gov in order to make appointments and more.
- VHIC (Veteran Health Identification Card) *If you want to do it in-person it must be done in-person at VA Hampton ONLY. You will need to bring a form of picture identification such as a state-issued driver’s license, U.S. passport or passport card, or other unexpired government issued identification. * I recommend doing this when you attend your initial appointment with your PCM at Hampton VA Medical Center. You can contact 1-877-222-8387 (VETS), option X to check status on your VHIC being mailed to you (approx. 10 days).
As of Fall 2022, you can request a VHIC online via AccessVA. Please note, as it’s still a new process you may experience longer than 10 days to receive your VHIC. For example, when I requested mine online, I checked status a week later and it had just finished review and approval for printing/mailing. If you need your VHIC urgently, I recommend going directly to Hampton VA Medical Center to do it in-person.
Do NOT confuse a VHIC with a VIC (Veteran Identification Card).
- There may come a time when your VA referral is missed by the clinic or specialist that you’re sent to. First and foremost, contact the VA Community Care Center (Community Care Home (va.gov)) for assistance with cost balances. VA Hampton Medical Center Community Care can be reached at 757-722-9961 ext. 4900. Ensure that balances are correctly being sent to the VA insurer:
Mailing address: VA CCN OPTUM
P.O. Box 202117
Florence, SC 29502-67968
FAX 833-376-3047P
Payer ID: vaccn
If credit collectors have the need for this information provide the above to them. They can also reach Region 1 CCN 1-888-901-7407 for any questions they may have about your VA payments. Above all, make sure you are knowledgeable about your referrals- when they are active, expiration dates, and what they’re for.
Join me for some tea
Joining other Veterans!
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Joining your local VFW can be a wonderful way to continue to give back and still stay connected to the military community. You do NOT need to be retired to join! As long as you are serving under honorable conditions or discharged with honorable service and serviced during an authorized campaign
(medals prove this), you are welcome to become an annual, life, or legacy member! Eligibility – VFW.
PLEASE do me a favor- if you decide to join, can you please cite me as your referral: Alicia Baqueroalvarez, Member #11539932, 06/2022, VFW Post 4809. Thank you!
American Legion/Auxiliary (AML/AMA) I am the Secretary for the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #0110 and there are plenty of Legions out there for you to join. Membership Registration (mylegion.org)
PLEASE do me a favor- if you decide to join, can you please cite me as your referral: Alicia Baqueroalvarez, Member # 302780365, 03/2023, AMA Unit 0110. Thank you!
Final thoughts
My fellow Retiree, I would like to say congratulations to you on your well-deserved retirement! As nothing stays the same, I will continue to update this supplemental as I become aware of changes. In the meantime, peace of mind and knowledge should not cost a thing so please feel free to share this with others who are retiring. In an effort to see if this supplemental can grow from the power of numbers, I encourage you to email me back a modified copy of this document with any changes you note: