Your federal service has earned you valuable services and benefits, but you only can take advantage of them if you understand the services and benefits for which you're eligible and how to get them. Your Human Resources Representative can guide you through the transition process and help you determine your entitlements as a federal employee based on your length of service. The U.S. Army Civilian Human Resources Agency (USACHRA) provides employment assistance to retirees, veterans, their family members and federal employees affected by Reduction in Force (RIF) and Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). You may find http://www.cpol.army.mil and http://www.opm.gov to be useful web sites during your transition.
The Department of Defense offers a number of benefit and entitlement programs and is committed to providing civilian employees affected by RIF and BRAC maximum assistance. Each of these programs is designed to provide a soft landing as employees pursue other federal positions or other career options when leaving federal service. Some of these programs offer options to continue benefits, such as the temporary continuation of Federal Employees' Health Benefits, or to provide financial assistance through severance pay when prematurely separated from federal employment.
The BRAC Transition website http://www.defense.gov/brac provides employees, managers, supervisors, and human resources specialists the latest information on BRAC, and the variety of transition assistance programs offered by the Department and other federal agencies. In addition, it answers questions concerning BRAC and transition programs and links to websites that will help you learn more about BRAC, transition assistance and employment opportunities. Links to information about benefits and entitlement can be obtained by going to the benefits section of the BRAC Transition website at http://www.cpms.osd.mil/bractransition/Benefits.htm or the Army Benefit Center-Civilian HR Resources on line at https://www.abc.army.mil. Additionally, you can obtain benefits information through the web sites of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at http://www.opm.gov and the Civilian Personnel Management Service, benefits and entitlements branch http://www.cpms.osd.mil/fas/
Department of Army Civilian employees subject to RIF or BRAC, and their families, are eligible for employment assistance, guidance and counseling as well as a wide range of tools and services from this website and at local ACAP Centers. Your ACAP Center counselor and your HR Representative from the Civilian Personnel Operations Center (CPOC) can provide support as you transition to a new federal agency or the civilian sector. As you start searching for a new position, you can learn about your benefits and have access to valuable job search resources such as workshops and counseling and have access to research tools and automated resources both online and at your ACAP Center. If you have received notice of a RIF or BRAC, you can start using ACAP services immediately. You have lots to do and not much time to work through many of the decisions you’ll need to make. By providing resources to help shape your decisions, ACAP On-Line and ACAP Centers can make a positive difference in your transition.
Changing careers is a stressful undertaking, perhaps even more so for those leaving federal service after many years. Transition stress can impact on your future success and your family's quality of life. Understanding stress and coping with it are essential skills you'll need to get through this difficult time. Include all of your family members in the transition decision-making process because you will be facing changes in employment status, lifestyle, location and schools. You’ll find you have a tremendous responsibility as you decide on your next career, determine your financial requirements, select health and life insurance plans, sort out your benefits and take steps to secure your future goals. It may take some time; however, if you target desired outcomes, plan accordingly and work diligently, you’ll, eventually, achieve your goals.
While you may not be able to prevent a job loss, you may be able to use some of the following coping strategies to make the loss easier to handle.
1. Give yourself time. Allow yourself appropriate time to adjust to the new realities.
2. Embrace change. Embrace the quote by Louis Pasteur, “Change favors the prepared mind.” Remind yourself that change can mean growth and that
rigidity is counterproductive. Develop the ability to be flexible.
3. Pursue support from others. You cannot do everything alone. Your family and loved ones can help provide the moral and emotional support
that is needed.
- Talk with family and friends.
- Involve your family in the decision making process.
4. Live in the present. People can carry a huge burden called guilt and anger about experiences. This will rob you of energy and create more
stress.
5. Treat yourself right! Exercise. Eat a balanced diet. Get plenty of sleep. Read a good book. Go to the movies. Find fun and interesting
things to do that don’t cost much.
6. Know your limitations. You cannot change others or circumstances, only yourself.
7. Re-evaluate your direction. Use ACAP as a tool to help you articulate your skills and accomplishments, then re-evaluate your goals and,
maybe, even your values and beliefs.
8. Figure out your next steps. Make a job search plan. Make active use of the ACAP program. Use multiple resources.
9. Implement your plan. This is your new job until you have a new position you want. Being actively engaged in your job search will bring you
nearer your goals and will go a long way toward alleviating stress. Contact an ACAP Center.
10. Seek professional help. If the stress becomes overwhelming and you are unable to function in a fairly normal way, seek help from your
Employee Assistance Program, family doctor, clergy, a psychologist or social worker, or a hospital or community mental health center.