Countdown · Checklist · Benefits · Resources

ETS
PLANNING

Your complete guide to separating from the military. Countdown to your ETS date, a step-by-step checklist with real Army milestones, and every benefit you need to file before you leave active duty.

ETS Countdown

Your ETS / Separation Date

180-90

days before ETS

BDD Window

120

days post-ETS

SGLI Coverage

5 days

min. workshop

TAPS Required

36 mo

of benefits

GI Bill

ETS Checklist

0/40 tasks0%

12M

12 Months Out

Start SFL-TAP / ACAP Registration

Register for Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP)Complete initial counseling with your Transition CounselorBegin Individual Transition Plan (ITP)Start researching career paths, education programs, and certificationsCreate a LinkedIn profile and begin networking

9 Months Out

Job Search & VA Claims

Update your resume — translate military experience to civilian languageBegin applying to jobs or graduate programsStart your VA disability claim (Benefits Delivery at Discharge — BDD program)Request copies of your military medical recordsAttend career fairs and employer networking events through SFL-TAP

6 Months Out

TAPS Classes & Education

Complete mandatory TAPS (5-day workshop: DOL employment, VA benefits, financial planning)Apply to schools and submit GI Bill enrollment (Chapter 33 or Chapter 30)Complete any additional TAPS tracks: Career Technical Training, Entrepreneurship, or Higher EducationBegin reviewing your DD-214 worksheet for accuracySchedule any remaining medical/dental appointments

4 Months Out

Start Clearing Post

Get your clearing papers from your S-1/personnel officeBegin clearing installation agencies (library, ACS, MWR, etc.)Schedule your HHG (household goods) pickup or PPM move dateFile for Permissive TDY (up to 20 days for job/house hunting)Begin terminal leave planning with your chain of command

3 Months Out

Medical & Final Appointments

Complete Separation Health Assessment (SHA) physicalFinal dental exam and get a copy of your dental recordsFinish any pending VA Compensation & Pension (C&P) examsConfirm HHG shipment dates and delivery windowVerify your SGLI coverage and plan VGLI conversion timeline

2 Months Out

CIF & Equipment Turn-In

Clear CIF (Central Issue Facility) — turn in ALL issued equipmentReturn any unit-specific equipment (comms, optics, weapons accessories)Complete remaining installation clearance itemsFinalize housing: terminate lease or schedule quarters inspectionConfirm terminal leave dates are approved in the system

1 Month Out

Final Formation & DD-214

Review your DD-214 line by line — verify dates, awards, MOS, characterization of serviceComplete final out with your unit (sign out of the unit, turn in ID card if required)Pick up your DD-214 (keep multiple certified copies)Attend final SFL-TAP capstone eventSet up mail forwarding and update your address with DFAS

ETS Day

Freedom Day

You are officially a civilian (or start terminal leave)Ensure final pay and leave sellback hit your account within 30 daysRegister with the VA for healthcare within 5 years of separationApply for state veteran benefits (property tax, education, employment preference)File for unemployment if needed — veterans qualify in most states

File These Benefits BEFORE You ETS

Missing these deadlines can cost you months of processing time or thousands in lost benefits.

VA Disability Claim (BDD Program)TIME-SENSITIVE

File 180-90 days before ETS

Benefits Delivery at Discharge lets you file your VA disability claim while still on active duty. Claims filed through BDD are processed faster — often decided within weeks of separation instead of months.

VA.gov BDD Info →

GI Bill Enrollment

Apply before or immediately after ETS

Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) covers tuition, housing (BAH E-5 rate), and book stipend for up to 36 months. You must have at least 90 days of active duty service after 9/10/2001. Apply early — processing takes 30+ days.

Apply for GI Bill →

SGLI to VGLI ConversionTIME-SENSITIVE

120 days after separation

Your Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) ends 120 days after ETS. You can convert to Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) without a health exam if you apply within that window. After 120 days, you need proof of good health.

VGLI Info →

TSP Rollover Options

No hard deadline — but decide early

Your Thrift Savings Plan stays open after separation. You can leave it in TSP (low fees), roll it into a civilian 401(k), or roll it into an IRA. Do NOT cash it out — you will pay income tax plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty if under 59.5.

TSP.gov Rollovers →

Official Resources

SFL-TAP (Soldier for Life)→

Official Army transition program

VA.gov→

Benefits, healthcare, disability claims

eBenefits→

DS Logon portal for VA claims

TSP.gov→

Manage your Thrift Savings Plan

VA BDD Claims→

File disability before separation

GI Bill Comparison Tool→

Compare schools and benefits

DOL Veterans Employment→

Dept. of Labor veteran resources

Military OneSource→

Free counseling, legal, financial help

Get notified when 2026 pay rates change — BAH adjustments, annual raises, new calculators.

This checklist is based on general Army ETS procedures. Timelines may vary by installation, unit, and branch of service. Always verify deadlines with your Transition Counselor and S-1/personnel office. This is not legal or financial advice.

Every number sourced directly from DFAS, DoD, and VA.gov

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← TSP & Retirement VA Benefits →