CU-Lock Haven faculty member serves as trainer for US Air and Space Force GO-TAP seminar
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (04/18/2025) — Dr. Conne Reece, professor of communication studies at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven, is serving as a trainer for the United States Air and Space Force in the two-day seminar, "General Officers Transition Assistance Program (GO-TAP)." Reece, along with two other instructors, exclusively trains generals on post-retirement job search strategies including resume writing, interviewing, brand development and salary negotiation.
GO-TAP is offered five times a year at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, D.C. Generals take it upon receiving their first star, then again approximately six months before retirement. It is the most highly evaluated training program in the Air and Space Force.
The opportunity to work with high-ranking military officers came as a result of Reece's association with Fred Coon, a well-known author and expert in the field of employment strategy. Reece and Coon published the book, "Ready, Aim, Hired: Job Search Tactics that Really Work" in 2021, which was adopted as the textbook for GO-TAP. Two years later Coon, the founder of the program, offered Reece a position as trainer and, subsequently, gave Reece additional responsibilities in curricular development.
Reece feels that the most challenging aspect of working with generals is assimilating to their language and culture. "I don't have a military background," Reece said. "So, I had to learn what questions to ask and what information to come armed with. They are not a group who suffer fools gladly and they will challenge inconsistencies and outdated material. I had to learn how their lives and careers work to best help them. After six sessions, I'm still learning."
Reece found that many of the generals know little about employment transition because they have spent their whole careers in the military. "They are surprisingly transparent in their discomfort to try something new, but they enjoy the challenge," Reece said.
Reece plans to attend her seventh GO-TAP session in June.
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Conne Reece is shown with Brig. Gen. Brian R. Moore, commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Gen. Moore was a student in April’s training.