VOVetOps AI

    Leaving military service

    Plan your next steps before and after separation.

    Plan records, benefits, and coverage before and after separation. Some programs have application windows; other dates are preparation reminders. Check the official requirements before acting.

    See the Deadline Timeline Prepare for a BDD Claim

    Your separation timeline

    Start with your separation date.

    This free planning tool links to official programs. Benefits have eligibility rules, and insurance can require premiums. A suggested reminder is not a legal filing deadline. VetOps is not VA, DoD, or a government agency.

    Read focused transition guides

    BDD claim timelineBDD vs Intent to FileCan I afford to retire?

    Before Still in uniform

    1. Arrange TAP early. Confirm initial and pre-separation counseling at least 365 days ahead; start retirement planning about two years ahead. Short-notice separation needs prompt coordination. TAP guidance
    2. Review GI Bill transfer while still serving. Ask your service about eligibility, approval, and any added obligation before requesting a transfer. Existing approved transfers and later changes have separate rules. Transfer rules at VA.gov
    3. Research SkillBridge early. This training opportunity falls within the final 180 days, but service-specific limits and command approval apply. SkillBridge guidance
    4. 180–90 days out — check BDD eligibility. Required records and exam availability matter. Neither a day-one decision nor a payment is promised. BDD at VA.gov. Use the claim preparation steps to organize evidence.
    5. Before final out — organize records. Request available treatment and personnel records, check for missing information, and store copies securely.

    No separation date yet? Start gathering records now and use the checklist generator below when you have an estimated final-out date.

    After The first year out

    1. Protect your DD214 and check health care eligibility. Use milConnect or the National Archives to request available records. Service and discharge requirements apply to VA care. Check eligibility
    2. If unemployed, ask about Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) promptly. Your state workforce agency determines eligibility and filing requirements. A week-one reminder is not a deadline or an instruction to wait. How UCX works
    3. CHCBP depends on coverage loss. This paid insurance has an election window tied to qualifying coverage ending, which may differ from separation. Confirm the exact window with the contractor. CHCBP at TRICARE.mil
    4. Check the 180-day Class II dental window. Qualifying one-time care has service, discharge, and DD214 dental-certification requirements. Other VA dental eligibility classes differ. VA dental care
    5. Review Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) within 240 days. Eligible applicants can avoid health evidence in that window. Premiums apply. The later application period and coverage amount depend on VA rules. VGLI at VA.gov
    6. Keep support contacts current. Solid Start aims to contact veterans during the first year. Verify unexpected calls through official VA channels before disclosing personal information. VA Solid Start

    Need readjustment support? Contact a Vet Center to ask about counseling and eligibility. In crisis, call 988, Press 1.

    Make it yours

    Generate your personal separation checklist.

    Enter the separation date on your orders, create the checklist, then work through one task at a time. For each task, check whether the date is a reminder or an application window. Your date alone does not establish eligibility or an insurance deadline. Checkboxes stay on this browser; email includes the full checklist.

    Use the separation date from your orders, not your last workday or terminal leave start. Dates from 1900 through 2100 are supported; current guidance does not determine historical eligibility.

    The stakesThe transition gap

    The paperwork hits while everything else is moving.

    Work, housing, records, and health coverage can all change during separation. Keep a short list of next actions and the agency responsible for each one. Confirm requirements early instead of relying on an assumed deadline or benefit.

    • Prepare early. Confirm the relevant application window and evidence requirements.
    • Plan coverage. Check when your current plan ends and when replacement coverage can start.
    • Compare costs. Insurance premiums and program eligibility are different from the cost of using this free checklist.
    • Keep records secure. Review copies for completeness before you need them.
    • Ask the responsible agency. A planning reminder does not establish entitlement.

    Start with the file

    Organize the claim before the uniform comes off.

    Bring your checklist and records to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), a Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) appointment, or a veterans service organization (VSO). Note the next action, who handles it, and the date to follow up. Ready to file? Start the claim file → VetOps is not VA, a VSO, or a government agency. No guaranteed outcomes.

    Generate ChecklistRead BDD Timeline