So far we’ve covered a couple of the options for training and apprenticeship that can take a little while to implement as well as how to break down goals into “actionable”, “waiting for other”, and “waiting for date” lists. Next comes the part where we put it all together into a timeline that is actionable, editable, and has clear goals. Bear with me, this one is going to be a little lengthy.

By now you should have at least have an idea of when your last day in the military will be. In this case the end is the best place to start because it will be easier to work backward from a rigid date.

The three big dates to know are the end date and the dates that are exactly 180 days and 365 days FROM that date.

You will take each goal that you have broken down and add them individually to your timeline. Don’t try to do too many things at the same time. Take one goal at a time and break them down into your “actions”, “waiting for other” and “waiting for date” lists like we covered in the previous article.

Start with your first goal. Let’s say that you want to attend a coding bootcamp using the skillbridge program.

First, we will go through the skillbridge “waiting for date” list and add each requirement’s no later than date to our calendar (keep in mind that these dates are how many days until the end of service).

• At the 400 date complete required ethics training (include course number)

• At the 375 date ensure that all transition classes have been completed

• At the 365 date email the skillbridge registrar (include required information)

Then we will add the skillbridge items that cannot necessarily be completed right now, but need to be finished in order to submit our package as early as possible, in other words the “waiting for other” list. Setting reminders for important, albeit, self-imposed timelines in the calendar will help ensure that everything is complete in time to submit the request immediately after we receive the email response from the registrar.

• At the 390 date complete the calculator on timeanddate.com for skillbridge course and terminal leave to include in request package.

• ]At 383 date Draft command letter of approval to be signed for skillbridge request package.

• At 374 date compose personal statement to add to skillbridge request package.

• At 367 date build skillbridge packet and ensure that all requirements are met.

• When registrar email response received, submit package.

This is an example of how to break down one goal and include it into your timeline. It has actionable goals, dates, and reminders. The key is to be able to break each goal down. Sometimes this might require more information. However, things can always be added to your timeline once you have it started.

A few deadlines are extremely important to know:

• Your BDD (benefits deliverable at discharge): this is essentially your disability claim. What makes it different is that you must submit it between your 180 days and 90 days from your end of service date. This will increase your chances of receiving disability as soon as your service date has elapsed instead of having to wait. You cannot submit it earlier than 180 days out, so keep this in mind. If you’re unable to complete this in time it’s ok, but you might have to wait for your disability payments.

• Vet tech: You cannot request vet tech benefits until you are 180 days or less from your service end date. It can also take up to 30 days to receive. If you are trying to utilize Vet tech and skillbridge together this will affect your skillbridge start date. Basically you will have to push your skillbridge date to the right to make sure that you have funding available.

• Most coding bootcamps require that you do a coding challenge and an interview before being accepted into the program, usually about 5 weeks out. Ask the school that you wish to attend what their requirements are.

The main takeaway from this article is to break down each goal into the appropriate lists and then add those to your timeline. Do each goal separately because they will all have different requirements. Once you have finished you will be able to take a more high-level view of your entire timeline.

Below I have added a timeline that is sent out by the Navy transition assistance program that can get you started. Please leave any questions in the comments as well as anything you would like to add if you have been through this process before.

https://www.dodtap.mil/dodtap/rest/docs?filename=Managing_Your_Transition_Timeline.pdf