Bootcamp · Getting out

Two clocks, then a cliff. TAP is a brief — not an enrollment.

BDD 180–90 days before ETS. TAMP is 180 days if DEERS shows it. VGLI’s 240-day clock did not pause. CHCBP is 60 days after TRICARE dies.

If you are staying in, this is the wrong bootcamp.

1. Healthcare

   Clock

   File BDD 180–90 days before ETS

   Benefits Delivery at Discharge. The aid station still knows your name. Miss the window and you still file — you just wait longer.

   180–90 days before ETS / retirement from active duty

   VA.gov BDDBDD / TAP walkthroughAsk TOP about this

2. Healthcare

   Do now

   Confirm TAMP in DEERS

   180 days, zero premium, if DEERS shows it. Day 181 is a cliff. It is a service determination, not a vibe.

   180 days from separation if DEERS shows TAMP

   TRICARE TAMPTAMP walkthroughAsk TOP about this

3. Healthcare

   ClockGap recut

   CHCBP — 60 days after TRICARE / TAMP ends

   Premium bridge, 18–36 months, same shape as Select. DD Form 2837 to Humana Military with 90 days paid up front. Not automatic. Recut from TRICARE.mil CHCBP.

   60 days from loss of TRICARE / TAMP eligibility

   CHCBPCHCBP walkthroughAsk TOP about this

4. Healthcare

   This monthGap recut

   File 10-10EZ before TAMP dies

   VA health is not TAMP. Enroll while you still have time to wait for a clinic assignment.

   Apply for VA healthVA health walkthroughAsk TOP about this

5. Keys

   Do now

   Pull the DD-214 and STRs

   Keep a copy that is not trapped in a portal. eVetRecs / VA.gov records. Copy what you can before you clear.

   Military recordsForms and recordsAsk TOP about this

6. Insurance

   Clock

   Convert SGLI → VGLI

   120 days of free SGLI after separation, then 240 days to convert without health questions. A premium holiday does not pause that clock.

   240 days, no health review; 120 days free SGLI after separation

   VGLISGLI → VGLIAsk TOP about this

7. Education

   This month

   File 22-1990 before you need the housing check

   Comparison Tool, then apply. The school still certifies. Certificate of Eligibility for education is not the home-loan COE.

   Apply for GI BillGI Bill pageAsk TOP about this

8. Education

   When you need itGap recut

   SkillBridge / TAP are briefs and internships — not enrollments

   TAP does not file BDD, TAMP, or GI Bill. SkillBridge is a command-approved internship near ETS. Recut from Military OneSource / service TAP pages.

   DoD SkillBridgeTAP / BDD walkthroughAsk TOP about this

9. Finance

   This monthGap recut

   Unemployment (UCX) through your state

   Federal unemployment for ex-service members is filed with the state workforce agency, not VA.gov. DD-214 in hand. Recut from DOL.

   DOL UCXAsk TOP about this

10. Housing

    This month

    Request the home-loan COE

    Do it while the DD-214 is still warm. Not a homeowners policy.

    Request a COECOE walkthroughAsk TOP about this

11. Finance

    This monthGap recut

    Decide what TSP does after the last LES

    Leave it, roll it, or start withdrawals. Beneficiary still matters. Recut from TSP.gov. Nobody should cold-call you into an annuity.

    TSP.govTSP walkthroughAsk TOP about this

12. Keys

    Do nowGap recut

    Create the VA.gov account before you clear

    Login.gov or ID.me. You will need it for BDD, 10-10EZ, GI Bill, and the COE. Do it while the CAC still works.

    Creating a VA.gov accountVA.gov walkthroughAsk TOP about this

13. Healthcare

    This monthGap recut

    Intent to file if you missed the BDD window

    You can still file. ITF locks a date. One year to finish. Recut from VA.gov.

    Intent to fileIntent-to-file walkthroughAsk TOP about this

14. Education

    Do nowGap recut

    DoDTAP.mil is the real TAP door

    Register, complete the modules, keep the certificates. TAP does not file BDD, TAMP, or GI Bill. Recut from DoDTAP.

    DoDTAPTAP / BDD walkthroughAsk TOP about this

15. Keys

    This monthGap recut

    VA Health and Benefits app

    Same key as VA.gov. Claim status, Rx, travel pay later. Recut from VA.gov.

    VA Health and Benefits appVA app walkthroughAsk TOP about this

16. Finance

    This monthGap recut

    Direct deposit on VA.gov

    Compensation and GI Bill housing do not use myPay after you separate. Set it on VA.gov before the first payment.

    VA direct depositVA.gov walkthroughAsk TOP about this