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ETS · EAS · Retirement

Transitioning out? Here's your plan.

The transition window is short and the paperwork is real. Do these in order and you'll walk out with your benefits fully activated — not scrambling six months after your DD-214.

Work backwards from your ETS date

The transition timeline

12 months out

Attend TAP early

Transition Assistance Program is mandatory. Take it as early as your command allows — the first pass is overwhelming, the second time you'll actually absorb it.

6–12 months out

Apply for SkillBridge

Up to 180 days of full pay while you intern at a civilian employer. This is the single most valuable transition benefit — most people skip it.

180 days out

File your Intent to File (ITF)

Locks in your VA disability effective date. Do this on VA.gov before you separate. See the Disability page.

90 days out

Start VA claim + BDD

Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) lets you file 180–90 days before separation for a rating decision the day after you're out.

Last 90 days

Get every record

Copy of your complete service treatment record, DD-214, personnel record, awards, evals. You cannot fight the VA later without these.

Day of ETS

Verify GI Bill status

Confirm Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility on VA.gov. If you want to transfer to a spouse/kids, that must be done while still in service.

First 30 days out

Register with the VA

Enroll in VA healthcare (5 years of free care post-separation regardless of rating). File any remaining disability claims.

First 12 months

Use your VA Home Loan

Zero down, no PMI, competitive rates. See the VA Home Loan page and buying power calculator.

The benefits you earned

Don't leave money on the table

VA disability (100%, alone)
$3,938/mo
Tax-free · 2026 rate
Post-9/11 GI Bill
36 months
Tuition + BAH + book stipend
VA Home Loan
$0 down
No PMI · reusable · lifetime
VA Healthcare
5 yrs free
Regardless of rating
If you only do these

The 4 highest-leverage moves

1. File your Intent to File — today

Locks in the earliest possible effective date for any disability claim. Even if you file the actual claim 11 months later, back pay traces to today.
Go to Disability & ITF →

2. Get on SkillBridge

Full military pay + benefits while you intern for a civilian employer for up to 180 days. Most transition into a job at that company. It costs the military nothing extra — most commands say yes if asked properly.

3. Understand your GI Bill

Post-9/11 pays tuition plus monthly BAH at the school's zip code (huge in high-cost areas). Or transfer to a spouse/kids — but only while in service.
Go to Education →

4. Buy your first home with your VA loan

$0 down, no PMI, seller can pay concessions and even pay off your debt at closing. Then keep it, PCS, rent it — and use the loan again. See the investment strategy on the Home Loan page.
Go to VA Home Loan →
Book a transition consultation

You don't have to figure this out alone

Valor is veteran-founded. We've been in your boots.

Free 15-minute call. We'll walk your timeline and map the benefits stack to your situation.

Book a transition call