Transition Benefits: Oceana Offers ERB/PTS Transition Course

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Antonio Turretto Ramos, Naval Air Station Oceana Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) recently began offering a course for Sailors separating from the Navy via Perform to Serve (PTS) or Enlisted Retention Board (ERB) called ERB/PTS Transition Tool Kit.

Two workshops have already been held with the next one to take place Dec. 5 at the Oceana FFSC classroom.

Brian Scott, FFSC employment educator, said the ERB/PTS Transition Tool Kit program draws from a number of the services FFSC offers to offer resources and help meet the needs of Sailors in their transition.

"Knowing ERB results were coming out, we wanted to have the commands be able to provide the service members that are being separated a resource that they can say 'hey these guys are ready for you, go ask them your questions,' and for everything career-related to financial, to relocation, counseling, everything they would need," said Scott.

Scott said the program will be offered every month. The ERB/PTS Transition Tool Kit program is an informational overview of resources offered by FFSC. The intent of the program is to make it possible for service members to schedule appointments for specific one-on-one counseling to aid in their separation from the Navy.

"This is the first time I have attended an FFSC course here at Oceana and I just think that it's a fantastic tool," said Navy Counselor 1st Class Jose Cano of Fleet Composite Squadron (VFC) 12.

Cano attended the class Nov. 18. In his job at VFC-12, he supports Sailors who have been affected by PTS and appreciates how it could benefit Sailors affected by ERB as well. He said the class points Sailors to a wealth of additional sources of information.

"I am very grateful to Fleet and Family Support Center for bringing this together for us," said Cano.

Scott said the class is a resource he and the rest of the staff of Oceana FFSC are proud to offer to Sailors as a way of showing appreciation for their service as they transition out of the Navy.

He said their goal is to have helped Sailors "with getting their next job, making their move back wherever they need to go to, and dealing with their finances."

NAS Oceana Executive Officer Capt. Bob Geis encourages Sailors to attend the workshop.

"PTS and the ERB are products of an almost perfect storm of unprecedented retention rates and historic high recruiting," said Geis. "We are very fortunate to have an FFSC at NAS Oceana that had the foresight to create a targeted program to help Sailors who weren't planning on leaving the Navy."

Currently the pilot program is offered through January. Oceana FFSC encourages commands to send Sailors separating under ERB or PTS.

"Ultimately it's getting the services that we offer on a day-to-day basis and really focusing on those who are being separating," said Scott.

Future scheduled program dates:

Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Jan. 6, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Call FFSC Oceana at 757-433-2912 for additional information.