Fort Bragg Transition Assistance (TAP) and Veteran Job Help
Soldiers leaving Fort Bragg must complete the Transition Assistance Program at the Soldier Support Center, Building 4-2843 Normandy Drive, (910) 432-4725. Initial counseling is required no later than 365 days before separation, and retirees can start 24 months out. Eligible soldiers can begin a Career Skills Program internship up to 180 days before separation, and Fayetteville's NCWorks Career Center helps veterans find jobs.
Soldiers separating or retiring from Fort Bragg must go through the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which is on the first floor of Wing C in the Soldier Support Center, Building 4-2843 Normandy Drive, (910) 432-4725. Army guidance requires initial counseling and the pre-separation brief no later than 365 days before your separation date. Retirement-eligible soldiers can start up to 24 months out. After TAP, Fayetteville's NCWorks Career Center, county veterans services and the VA pick up where the Army leaves off.
This guide lays out the transition timeline, the Career Skills Program (the Army's SkillBridge option), and the local offices that help with jobs, school and benefits once you are out.
The Transition Timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 24 months out (retirees) | Register with TAP and begin counseling; start your VA disability claim planning |
| 18 months out (recommended for separating soldiers) | Register with TAP so you have time for workshops and a Career Skills Program |
| 365 days out (deadline) | Complete initial counseling and the pre-separation brief |
| 180 days out | Earliest start for a Career Skills Program internship, with command approval |
| 180–90 days out | File a Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) disability claim with the VA if you have service-connected conditions |
| 90 days out | Capstone review must be complete; confirm your transition plan and job applications |
| Final weeks | Clear the installation, get your DD-214 and update your address with the VA and DFAS |
TAP at Fort Bragg is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and closes for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. It is closed on federal holidays.
What TAP Covers
TAP is mandatory for soldiers with at least 180 days of active service who are leaving active duty. At Fort Bragg it includes:
- Initial counseling and pre-separation brief. Covers benefits, entitlements and your Individual Transition Plan.
- Core curriculum. Classes on resumes, finances, VA benefits and the Department of Labor employment workshop.
- Tracks. Two-day workshops for employment, higher education, vocational training or entrepreneurship.
- Capstone. A commander's review that verifies you have a workable plan before separation.
The Fort Bragg TAP page posts upcoming events, flyers, registration instructions and job announcements. Spouses can attend many workshops; ask when you register.
The Career Skills Program (SkillBridge)
The Career Skills Program (CSP) lets eligible soldiers spend their last months of service in an internship, apprenticeship or training program with a civilian employer while still on active duty pay. Fort Bragg's rules:
- Start no earlier than 180 days before your separation or retirement date.
- You need command approval, and you must finish your Capstone before the internship begins.
- Soldiers in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) become eligible right after the CSP brief.
- Programs more than 50 miles from Fort Bragg put you on administrative leave.
The maximum length depends on rank:
| Category | Ranks | Maximum CSP length |
|---|---|---|
| I | E-1 to E-5 | Up to 120 days |
| II | E-6 to E-7, WO1 to CW3, O-1 to O-3 | Up to 90 days |
| III | E-8 to E-9, CW4 to CW5, O-4 and above | Up to 60 days |
To start, enroll in TAP and finish initial counseling, then contact the TAP Virtual Center CSP counselors at (800) 325-4715 to schedule a Career Skills brief. After the brief you can apply for an Army CSP program, a DoD SkillBridge partner, or an individual internship. Browse approved partners at skillbridge.osd.mil.
Finding a Job in Fayetteville
NCWorks Career Center
The NCWorks Career Center - Cumberland County at 490 N. McPherson Church Road, Fayetteville 28303, (910) 486-1010, provides employment and training services and has staff who work with veterans. North Carolina's NCWorks veterans services staff are veterans themselves. You can also use the NCWorks veterans portal to search jobs and request help.
Federal and Defense Jobs
Fort Bragg is the area's largest employer, and many soldiers move straight into civilian or contractor jobs on post. Veterans' preference applies to most federal jobs. Our Fort Bragg and federal civilian jobs guide explains how to apply on USAJOBS and write a federal resume.
Private Employers
Health care, education, logistics, law enforcement and defense contracting are common next careers for veterans around Fayetteville. See our major employers guide and the Fayetteville job search guide for names and hiring channels.
School After the Army
If you plan to use the GI Bill, these are the closest options:
| School | Good fit for |
|---|---|
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | Short-term credentials, trades, nursing, transfer degrees |
| Fayetteville State University | Four-year degrees, online programs, graduate school |
| Methodist University | Private four-year and graduate programs |
Each school has a veterans services or VA certifying office that processes GI Bill paperwork. Compare programs in our higher education guide. The Army Continuing Education System at the Soldier Support Center can also help you use any remaining tuition assistance before you separate.
Benefits to Lock In Before You Leave
- VA disability claim. Filing through Benefits Delivery at Discharge 180 to 90 days before separation can speed your rating. Cumberland County Veterans Services, (910) 677-2970, helps with claims at no cost.
- VA health care. Enroll before or right after separation; the Fayetteville VA Medical Center and the large outpatient clinic on S. Raeford Road serve the area.
- Medical records. Get a complete copy of your military medical records.
- Life insurance. Decide whether to convert SGLI to Veterans' Group Life Insurance.
- North Carolina tax rules. North Carolina allows a state income tax deduction for military retirement pay for members with at least 20 years of service or a Chapter 61 medical retirement.
Our VA benefits in Fayetteville guide covers each office in more detail.
Staying in Fayetteville?
Many veterans stay near Fort Bragg for the commissary, VA care, jobs and housing costs that are lower than in the Raleigh area. If you are buying, compare a VA home loan with other financing; our Fayetteville neighborhoods guide compares areas.
Sources
- Fort Bragg TAP service member forms and handouts
- Fort Bragg TAP Career Skills Programs
- DoD SkillBridge
- VA Benefits Delivery at Discharge
- Cumberland County NCWorks Career Center partners
- NCDOR military retirement deduction
Details checked October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is the Fort Bragg TAP office?
- The Transition Assistance Program is on the first floor of Wing C in the Soldier Support Center, Building 4-2843 Normandy Drive, (910) 432-4725. It is open weekdays from 8 a.m., closing at 4 p.m. most days and 3 p.m. on Thursdays, with a lunch closure from noon to 1 p.m.
- When should I start TAP before leaving the Army?
- Initial counseling and the pre-separation brief must be done no later than 365 days before separation. The Army recommends separating soldiers start about 18 months out, and retirement-eligible soldiers can start 24 months before retirement.
- How long can a Fort Bragg soldier do SkillBridge?
- Fort Bragg's Career Skills Program allows up to 120 days for E-1 to E-5, up to 90 days for E-6 to E-7, WO1 to CW3 and O-1 to O-3, and up to 60 days for senior ranks. It can start no earlier than 180 days before separation and requires command approval.
- When should I file my VA disability claim before separating?
- The VA's Benefits Delivery at Discharge program accepts claims 180 to 90 days before you leave the military. Cumberland County Veterans Services at (910) 677-2970 can help you file at no cost.
Additional Resources
- Fort Bragg Transition Assistance Program
TAP location, hours, forms and registration links.
- Fort Bragg Career Skills Programs
CSP eligibility, approval authority and steps to apply.
- DoD SkillBridge
Search approved SkillBridge employer partners.
- VA pre-discharge (BDD) claims
File a disability claim 180 to 90 days before separation.
Related Guides
VA Benefits in Fayetteville, NC: Claims, Care and Tax Breaks
For VA benefits in Fayetteville, start with Cumberland County Veterans Services at 301 E. Russell Street, (910) 677-2970, which files disability and pension claims at no cost. Health care runs through the Fayetteville VA Medical Center at 2300 Ramsey Street, (910) 488-2120, which has a 24/7 emergency department. The Fayetteville Vet Center on Robeson Street provides free, confidential counseling without VA enrollment.
Fort Bragg & Federal Civilian Jobs (NC): How to Apply
Most Fort Bragg, NC civilian jobs are filled through USAJOBS: Army civilian roles, nonappropriated fund (NAF) MWR jobs, DoDEA aide and staff jobs, and VA Fayetteville Coastal Healthcare System openings all post there. DoDEA teachers apply through DoDEA's Employment Application System. Free help is on post at the Employment Readiness Program in the Soldier Support Center, and veterans' preference and Military Spouse Preference can move eligible applicants up.
Jobs in Fayetteville, NC: Where to Find Work (2026 Guide)
To find jobs in Fayetteville, NC, go straight to the hiring sources. The City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County post every opening on GovernmentJobs.com, Cape Fear Valley Health hires through its Workday careers portal, and the NCWorks Career Center at 490 N. McPherson Church Road offers free job-search help. Military spouses can use Fort Bragg's Employment Readiness Program at the Soldier Support Center.
Fayetteville State University: Tuition & Admissions Guide
Prospective student and military family guide to Fayetteville State University (FSU) at 1200 Murchison Road, explaining NC Promise $500-per-semester in-state undergraduate tuition (before fees, housing, food, and books), nonresident tuition policies, the conditional FSU Military Tuition Scholarship, UNC transfer articulation pathways, and admissions contacts.
82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg: Family Guide (2026)
The 82nd Airborne Division is an Army airborne infantry division and the primary fighting arm of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, ready to deploy within 18 hours. Its nickname, All American, dates to 1917, when its first soldiers came from all 48 states. In 2026 about 1,000 paratroopers deployed to the Middle East and All American Week was canceled, with the division planning to resume it in 2027.