As a program spanning 53 Army installations worldwide, the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) staff has a good understanding of the military and the transition process.

ACAP serves Soldiers, their family members and civilian employees. Services, including career counseling and résumé assistance, workshops and one-on-one counseling sessions designed to aid Soldiers and civilians in career choices, are available up to two years before for Soldiers planning to retire and up to one year before for Soldiers planning to separate. Army retirees and their authorized family members can use "ACAP for Life" on a space-available basis. All other military personnel, DA civilian employees and nonappropriated fund personnel can use ACAP for 180 days past their separation date.

Public law requires that Soldiers receive pre-separation counseling at least 90 days before separation so that benefits are fully understood. Call (404) 464-2144 for an appointment.

The Georgia Department of Labor provides a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) workshop. This workshop lasts threeand- a-half days and covers all aspects of the job search, including setting a career objective, résumé writing, interview techniques and networking. The workshop also includes comprehensive federal benefits and disability briefings provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Workbooks are provided with handout material. Workshop attendance is advised before beginning serious résumé preparation. This service is open to transitioning military personnel, their adult family members and eligible civilian employees. For more information, call (404) 464-2144.

Army Community Service (ACS) offers real-life solutions for successful Army living. ACS equips people with the skills and education they need to face the challenges of military life today and tomorrow. Think of ACS when deploying, relocating, looking for employment, needing information or referrals, needing financial assistance and education, facing and working through a crisis or looking for family assistance. ACS is located in Building 62 on Fort McPherson. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Wednesday. Wednesday hours are 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For more information, call the ACS staff at (404) 464-4070, send a fax to (404) 464-2979/4862, or visit www.mcpherson.army.mil/ACS/.

The Fort McPherson Child Development Center (CDC), Building 514, is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. Its primary goal is to provide educational learning experiences and varied opportunities that promote the child's physical, social and intellectual growth.

The following Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem sponsors are eligible for childcare services: active duty and retired military personnel, DoD civilian employees and military reserve and National Guard personnel on active duty. Children must have a current shot record and be between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years to receive care.

One program offered by the CDC is full-day care. This program promotes the fundamental needs and growth of each child. The pre-kindergarten program offers a planned curriculum with emphasis on preparedness for kindergarten.

The CDC also offers hourly care to accommodate families on a space-available basis. Reservations must be made in advance. Meals include breakfast, lunch and a snack supplement served daily according to USDA guidelines.

For more information, visit the CDC or call (404) 464-3945 or (404) 464-2759. The center is closed weekends and federal holidays. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.

For information on Child Youth Services and summer camp programs, call (404) 464-3945 or (404) 464-2759.

The Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) is located in Building 184, Fort McPherson, and is open to managers, supervisors, employees and applicants daily from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The CPAC staff provides counseling and placement assistance to family members seeking federally appropriated and nonappropriated fund jobs. The staff also advises and assists on civilian personnel actions. Individuals relocating to Fort McPherson, can visit www.mcpherson.army.mil/cpac/ for more information. Customers can also receive information by calling the Job Information Center at (404) 464-2502.

The Fort McPherson Education Center is responsible for adult education activities conducted on post. The Army Continuing Education System mission is to provide quality education opportunities to support the total Army goals, to enhance the quality of life within the military community and to offer individualized career development through voluntary educational programs. The Education Center offers professional counseling services, the Army Tuition Assistance Program, Servicemembers Opportunity College Army Degrees information, the Academic Learning Center, Army Correspondence Course Program information, the Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System and academic and Army Personnel Testing.

The Academic Learning Center provides a resource for independent, self-paced learning. Computers with Internet capability are available for student use.

Excelsior College Examinations, CLEP, DSST, GMAT, GRE, Praxis, ACT, SAT, TABE, interest inventories and certification exams are some of the tests administered or funded through the testing program.

On-post colleges include Georgia Military College (GMC), Saint Leo University (SLU) and Central Michigan University (CMU). GMC offers associate degrees in business administration, criminal justice, education and general studies. Degrees at SLU include a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts with concentrations in sociology, business administration, criminology and human resource administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems. At the graduate level, a Master of Science degree in administration can be earned at CMU. Classes are held during off-duty hours. GMC and SLU have five terms per year. CMU schedules classes on a weekend format, with classes meeting on alternating weekends.

Servicemembers Opportunity College degree programs promote a systematic, flexible opportunity for mobile military students to complete college degrees. Distance learning degree programs provide yet another alternative means of earning a college degree. External degree programs provide an alternative and non-traditional means of earning college degrees. Tuition assistance and VA benefits can be used according to appropriate eligibility. Colleges in the Atlanta area provide an array of educational choices for the military community.

Although the Fort McPherson Education Center is funded to support active duty military personnel, services are provided on a spaceavailable basis for family members, veterans, retired military personnel and DA civilian employees. Counselors are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. in Building 60. For more information, call (404) 464-3925 or (404) 464-3866.

A full-service Inspector General (IG) office supports the U.S. Army Garrison at Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem. This office serves servicemembers, military family members, military retirees, DoD civilian employees and private citizens who have personal or public issues in military-related matters. The IG office receives, reviews and processes requests for assistance and complaints, ensuring prompt, courteous and appropriate action is taken in each case.

The IG office is located in Building 179, Fort McPherson. For more information, call (404) 464-4427 or (404) 464-4205.

The library, located in Building 250 at Fort McPherson, offers materials in all subject fields in support of morale, welfare, recreation, education and training programs. The library provides books, magazines, videocassettes, DVDs, newspapers, audiocassettes, an inter-library loan service, official publications and regulations.

In addition, online databases offer full-text articles from magazines and professional journals, including ProQuest and Galenet products.

The library is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, call (404) 464-2665.