TAP ‘very beneficial’ for Tinker sergeant Published May 2, 2012 By Mike W. Ray Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker's Transition Assistance Program was "very beneficial" to one soon-to-be military retiree, who plans to go through TAP again soon to "hone in on additional briefings of interest." Senior Master Sgt. Anthony "Tony" Hairston, who retires in four months after an Air Force career of 25+ years, attended the TAP workshop at Tinker's Airman and Family Readiness Center last October. The resumé-writing class was "very informative and practical," particularly the advice to tailor a resumé specifically to the job for which you apply, the sergeant said. He also was impressed with the session on learning how to interview and how to answer potential employment questions posed by a mock panel. The TAP agenda items that pertained to veterans provided "a wealth of information" about benefits, filling out applications, and Veterans Affairs points of contact. Sergeant Hairston paid particular attention to the seminar on the survivor benefit plan, for two reasons: "A percentage is taken from the retirement pay," he said, "and supplements family members for unexpected circumstances." He also was impressed with the presentation on Tri-Care, which provides a military retiree with insurance coverage for 120 days after separation. "It gives you time to look into other insurance programs and/or policies to ensure you and your family members are adequately covered," Sergeant Hairston said. He said he intends to go through the TAP again, focusing on resumé writing, interviewing, and benefits. The Transition Assistance Program "gives us valuable resources we can utilize to succeed after we leave the service," he said. Sergeant Hairston hopes the information he has acquired through the TAP program, along with his varied work experiences and education, will enable him to secure employment as a civilian upon his retirement. Sergeant Hairston is a native of South Carolina but has been at Tinker for the last 20 years. He is an Engine Propulsion functional manager, F101/F118 equipment specialist, in the Propulsion Sustainment Division of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center.