An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Capstone to help Marines transition

23 Oct 2013 | Lance Cpl. Brendan Roethel Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

To prepare service members for a successful transition to the civilian workforce, the Department of Defense has implemented the Capstone Program. The addition to Transition Readiness Services has been implemented by the Marine Corps in Marine administrative message 514/13, which took effect Oct. 1.

"The Capstone program ensures transitioning Marines are prepared to leave the military ranks by having them complete an Individual Transition Plan Checklist," said Rickey Johnson, the program manager for the Career Resource Management Center aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. "The ITPC is a list that records which courses, requirements and tasks a Marine completed which prepared them to transition out of military service."

After completing the checklist, the Capstone Program requires the commanding officer or their designee to meet with the Marine to make sure they've met their Career Readiness Standards and have a plan for when they return to the civilian world. All active duty transitioning Marines must complete the capstone no later than 90 days before their end of active service date.

“The Marine Corps has a saying, ‘We make Marines. We win our nation's battles and we develop quality citizens,’” Johnson said. “By implementing the Capstone Program the Corps is affirming the final piece of that saying by making sure the Marines are ready to reintegrate themselves back into the civilian world.”

Briefs regarding Capstone and other TRS updates will be announced during TRS courses in the coming months. Senior leaders and commands will also be passing the information.

For more information, contact the Career Resource Management Center at 228-7701.