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Leaving the Military: Separation Checklist

Last will and testament First off, congratulations on your impending retirement or separation! It is a big milestone for any military personnel.

AAFMAA is here to help with the transition to civilian life with a Transition Readiness Assessment designed to make complicated choices easy for you and your family. Let’s get started.

Here’s a handy pre-retirement/separation checklist that will help you get your affairs in order on an easy timeframe.

  • Retirement more than 6 months out:

    • Determine eligibility for retirement and benefits
    • Estimate your retirement pay
    • Assess your finances, begin paying down debt and, if you are relocating, contact an agent
    • Take advantage of career evaluation services and begin researching career choices and job options
    • Prepare your resume

  • Separation more than 6 months out:

    • Assess your finances, begin paying down debt and, if you are relocating, contact an agent
    • Take advantage of career evaluation services and begin researching career choices and job options
    • Prepare your resume

  • Between 4 and 6 months out:

    • Attend an ACAP or TAP workshop
    • Develop a transition plan
    • Schedule physical and dental appointments
    • Start researching the job market
    • Network with people and organizations
    • Attend job fairs

  • Between 2 and 4 months out:

    • Consult a VA counselor if you should file a disability claim
    • Submit your Leave/Permissive TDY request
    • Obtain your retirement/separation orders
    • Scan or make copies of all personnel and medical records
    • Schedule a pre-retirement/separation counseling appointment with AAFMAA
    • Add all essential documents to your Digital Vault

Do these things, and with AAFMAA’s help, you’ll be all set for retirement or separation. We wish you the best of luck in your new life.