6 Months Before ETS: Transition Guide and Action Plan

Bottom Line Up Front

Your final 6 months are critical. This is when job searches must result in offers, housing must be secured, and all transition logistics must be finalized. This guide provides a month-by-month action plan for the home stretch.

Month 6 (6 Months Before ETS)

Job Search - Get Serious

• Have 15-20 active applications in progress
• Attending interviews regularly (minimum 2/week)
• In final interview rounds for top prospects
• Networking weekly (coffee chats, events)
• Have 3-5 job offers in process

Finalize Education Plans

• If college: Applications completed, acceptances received
• If GI Bill: Enrollment confirmed
• If SkillBridge: Internship start date locked
• Course schedule finalized
• Housing arranged (on-campus or off-campus)

Housing Decisions

• If buying: In final mortgage approval stage
• If renting: Have 2-3 lease options to choose from
• Target move date: Coordinate with separation/job start
• If relocating: Cost of living research complete
• Military housing out-date confirmed

Financial Preparation

• 6-month emergency fund in place
• Budget for post-separation period created
• Health insurance plan selected (VA or civilian)
• First paycheck at new job planned
• Understand separation pay timeline

Month 5 (5 Months Before ETS)

Secure Job Offer

• Primary job offer received and accepted
• Start date coordinated with separation
• Benefits package understood (health, 401K, PTO, remote options)
• New manager introduced (reach out via LinkedIn)
• First week expectations clarified

Finalize Housing

• Housing lease signed OR home purchase closing scheduled
• Move date scheduled (within 1 month)
• Utilities and internet providers contacted
• Furniture/household goods planned
• Change of address submitted to relevant agencies

Complete TAP Program

• All required TAP sessions attended
• Resume reviewed by TAP career counselor
• Interview coaching completed
• Understand all available benefits
• Have TAP certificate/completion

Military Out-Processing Begins

• Request official separation date confirmation
• Schedule medical exams (final health screening)
• Verify final pay calculations with finance office
• Understand leave balance payment
• Confirm terminal leave dates (if applicable)

Month 4 (4 Months Before ETS)

Prepare for First Day

• New employer sends first day information
• Know start time, location, parking
• Understand dress code and office culture
• Prepare 5 professional outfits for first week
• Get to know team members on LinkedIn

College/Education Preparation

• If college starting: Housing arranged
• Books ordered or rented
• Course materials understood
• Orientation event registered
• Email set up with college
• Financial aid/GI Bill processing confirmed

Move Logistics

• Movers scheduled OR moving truck reserved
• Pack non-essential items early
• Forward mail with postal service
• Notify military housing of move-out date
• Update address with banks, insurance companies

Documentation Gathering

• Multiple copies of DD-214 (20+ copies, can't have too many)
• Transcripts from military schools
• All training certifications gathered
• Security clearance verification documents
• Medical/dental records transferred to new provider

Month 3 (3 Months Before ETS)

Major Transition Month

Final Military Duties

• Complete all military out-processing tasks
• Return all government property
• Clear terminal leave (if applicable)
• Verify final pay and benefits
• Collect DD-214 (have copies made immediately)

Execute Move

• Pack and move to new location
• Set up utilities and internet
• Connect electricity, gas, water
• Register to vote in new location
• Update driver's license address

Health Insurance Transition

• Select final health insurance plan (VA or civilian marketplace)
• Enroll in coverage (coverage effective on separation date)
• Transfer medical records to new provider
• Schedule initial appointment with new doctor
• Understand out-of-pocket costs and deductibles

Job Transition Preparation

• Confirm start date one final time
• Know exactly where to report first day
• Understand parking and building access
• Review company handbook if provided
• Prepare questions for first day

Month 2 (2 Months Before ETS)

First Week at New Job/School

If Starting New Job

• Complete first day (arrive early, bring documents)
• Complete I-9 and tax documentation (W-4, state taxes)
• Enroll in 401K or equivalent retirement
• Complete new hire orientation
• Meet manager and team

If Starting College

• Move into housing
• Register for classes (if not done)
• Attend orientation
• Meet professors
• Settle into college life

Verify All Transition Pieces

• Military pay finalized (last paycheck received)
• Separation pay received (if applicable)
• Leave balance payment received (if applicable)
• Health insurance active (test by visiting doctor)
• New job pay structure understood

Address Any Issues

• If housing issue: Contact landlord/realtor immediately
• If job issue: Reach out to manager
• If health insurance issue: Call provider
• If college issue: Contact registrar
• Financial aid processing: Confirm with school

Month 1 (Final Month - ETS Month)

Final Days of Military Service

• Complete last day of active duty
• Receive DD-214 (original + multiple copies)
• Clear all military obligations
• Say goodbye to military family/friends
• Reflect on service and prepare for next chapter

Transition Day

• Official ETS/separation date
• No longer receiving military pay (final paycheck received)
• Become official veteran
• First day of civilian career/school
• New health insurance in effect

First Paycheck Verification

• First civilian paycheck received (know timing)
• Verify pay stub for accuracy
• Check 401K withholding
• Ensure taxes are correct
• Contact HR if discrepancies found

Settle In

• Unpack and set up household
• Get comfortable in new role/school
• Continue building relationships at work/school
• Establish new routine
• Seek support groups or veteran networks if needed

Critical Success Factors

Factor	Status	Notes
Job secured	[ ]	Before or by 6-month mark
Housing arranged	[ ]	Move completed by month 3
Health insurance selected	[ ]	Active by ETS date
Transportation (car/public transit)	[ ]	Working by first day
Emergency fund (3-6 months)	[ ]	In place before ETS
Childcare (if applicable)	[ ]	Arranged before starting job/school
Key documents copied	[ ]	DD-214, transcripts, certs

Red Flags That Need Attention

If You See These, Take Action:

• No job offer by month 5: Contact TAP, network more aggressively
• Housing not secured by month 4: Problem—need to accelerate
• Health insurance not selected by month 3: Choose immediately
• First paycheck delayed: Contact HR/finance immediately
• College not confirming enrollment: Call registrar
• Separation pay calculation off: Contact finance office
• Issues with new job/school: Address immediately before settling in

Week-by-Week Final Month Plan

Week 1-2: Final Military Days

• Complete last military duties
• Collect DD-214 and documents
• Say goodbyes

Week 3: Transition Day

• Official ETS date
• First day at civilian job/school
• Begin new chapter

Week 4: Settle In

• Complete new hire/enrollment process
• Unpack and setup
• Begin building new routine

Transition Completion Checklist

By End of Month 6:

• Job secured (offer accepted)
• Housing transition plan confirmed
• All military documents gathered
• Health insurance plan selected
• Emergency fund established (3-6 months)

By End of Month 4:

• Move to new location completed
• Utilities and internet setup
• First day preparation complete
• All documents copied and stored

By End of Month 2:

• First paycheck received (civilian)
• Health insurance active
• New job/school settled
• All military out-processing complete

By ETS Date:

• Official separation
• Civilian career/education begun
• New routine established
• Benefits transition complete

If Something Goes Wrong

Job Search Not Yielding Offers?

• Accelerate networking (meet 5+ people per week)
• Consider contract/temp work as bridge
• Expand geographic area if possible
• Get TAP counselor involved
• Consider SkillBridge if not too late

Housing Issues?

• Contact landlord/realtor immediately
• Have backup housing plan (short-term rental, family)
• Don't leave military housing without housing secured
• Budget for hotel if necessary

Health Insurance Issues?

• Call marketplace or VA immediately
• Ensure coverage is effective on ETS date
• Have backup plan (VA care)
• Don't go without coverage

College Enrollment Issue?

• Contact registrar immediately
• Confirm GI Bill processing with VA
• Have backup school if necessary
• Ensure housing for first semester

Support Resources

• Military One Source: Free counseling and transition support
• TAP: Transition Assistance Program (your military resource)
• VA Benefits Hotline: 1-800-827-1000
• Veterans Crisis Line: 988 then press 1
• Job Search Platforms: LinkedIn, Indeed, USAJOBS
• Veteran Support Groups: Local American Legion, VFW, AMVETS

Key Milestones

MONTH 6: Job offer secured, housing plan confirmed
MONTH 5: Housing lease/purchase finalized, move planning
MONTH 4: Move executed, first day preparation
MONTH 3: Transition week, new job/school begins
MONTH 2: First full week settled, verify all pieces
MONTH 1: ETS date, civilian life begins

Next Steps This Week

1. Verify current job search status (have 3-5 prospects?)
2. Identify any gaps in transition planning
3. Create action plan for any missing pieces
4. Schedule appointment with TAP counselor if needed
5. Start packing non-essentials

Key Takeaways

• Secure job by month 5 (not month 1)
• Finalize housing by month 4
• Select health insurance by month 3
• Have 6-month emergency fund
• Complete all military out-processing
• Gather and copy all important documents
• Establish new routine quickly
• Seek support if struggling with transition
• Connect with veteran communities for ongoing support

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You're in the home stretch! Use this 6-month guide to systematically finalize your transition and prepare for successful civilian life.