JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- To submit a news brief, send an e-mail to patriot@charleston.af.mil. Make the subject line "NEWS BRIEFS." Submissions must be received no later than close of business the Friday prior to publication.

All classes or events will be held at the Airman and Family Readiness Center (Building 500) unless otherwise specified. For more information, or to register for a class or event, please call 963-4406.

August 19-23
A "Transition Assistance Program (TAP) GPS Workshop for Separatees" will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn how to transition and become "career ready" with ease. Spouses are encouraged to attend! Note: receipt of your mandatory TAP Preseparation Briefing (held on Thursdays) is required prior to attending this workshop.

NOTICE: TAP GPS Workshops: The JB Charleston - Air Base TAP GPS Workshop target audience will alternate between separatees and retirees, and for your convenience, JB Charleston - Weapons Station will offer the TAP GPS workshop to alternating target audiences.

August 20
A "Get the Best Deal on Your Next Car" workshop will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gain insight into the car selling industry and how to use that knowledge to your advantage.

August 21
A "Spouse Introduction to JB Charleston - Air Base" class will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. This is a fun, fast-paced introduction to JB Charleston - Air Base for military spouses who have recently moved here. Meet other newly-arrived spouses, connect with your unit Key Spouse and learn where to shop, dine and play in the Lowcountry.

August 22
MANDATORY TAP Preseparation Briefings will be provided for Separatees from 8 to 11 a.m. and for Retirees from 11 to 2 p.m. Per Public Law 107-103, in the case of anticipated retirement, retiring service members can receive pre-separation counseling up to 24 months prior to DOS? And a separating service member can receive pre-separation counseling up to 12 months prior to DOS. This is the first step in the process to making you "career ready" to leave the service; and this briefing/counseling is required prior to attending the TAP GPS Workshop.

August 23
A "VA Benefits Briefing" will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn about all your VA benefits in this briefing! If you are exempt from the TAP GPS Workshop, you will need this. Open to all Active Duty.