Information
Do you have a service member in your command who is preparing for their release from active duty? Want to support their next steps? SkillBridge provides active duty service members the opportunity to participate in industry sponsored work and gain experience and training for up to 180 days prior to their date of release or discharge from active duty.
Unit Commanders must evaluate the mission impact before approving requests to participate, and they can recall a member from the SkillBridge program if necessary. Often SkillBridge programs do not last 180 days. Most programs are less than four months, which allows members not only to receive their industry-related training and set themselves up for immediate entry into a new career (typically with the industry partner), but also to have time to use terminal leave, so long as it does not total more than 180 days combined.
To learn more about existing opportunities, go to the SkillBridge Locations Map to review programs currently in place.
You can offer support to the service members under your command by authorizing this time away during their last 180 days of service. Benefits to the member include:
- Easing the stress around returning to civilian life.
- Gaining critical work experience and training opportunities that are directly connected to a post-service career.
- Often direct hiring from SkillBridge participation, with no period of unemployment.
- Discovering whether the company is a good fit for them.
Note: As published in the joint ethics regulations of the Department of Defense and as outlined in the U.S. Department of Labor's Fact Sheet #71 of January 2018, service members participating in a SkillBridge program are participating in a capstone training experience at the end of the military career. The Department of Defense will continue to cover the salaries and benefits of the participating members, thus they are NOT eligible for wages or other benefits from industry partners.
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