Date

8-20-2026

Department

School of Education

Degree

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD)

Chair

Jerry L. Woodbridge

Keywords

Transition, TAP, Counselor, Service member

Disciplines

Educational Leadership

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to address gaps in the education and training provided to Transition Assistance Program (TAP) counselors at Crestview military base. A phenomenological research approach was used to discover themes and experiences shared amongst said counselors. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of transition assistance counselors in supporting service members’ transitions to civilian life? This study was conducted at a South-Central United States military installation that was one of the largest and most diverse military bases in the U.S. The Schlossberg transition model guided the research and included dimensions such as situation, self, support, and strategies. This study focused on the subjective lived experiences of the 10 participants. A criterion sample of self-selected participants was selected based on years of experience as a counselor and the number of transitioning military personnel. Throughout the study, data were collected through surveys administered in groups of three to five participants, focus groups to dive more deeply into the problems of transitioning, and individual interviews to understand how the phenomenon was perceived. The research revealed a complex and nuanced understanding of the challenges that transition assistance counselors faced when counseling veterans transitioning to civilian life. Phenomenological reduction was used to analyze the data that informed policymakers, counselors, and support programs.

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