Military Members

SkillBridge is an excellent opportunity as you plan for your life after the military. SkillBridge matches civilian opportunities to your job training and work experience at the end of your military duty. In addition to taking advantage of resources like Tuition Assistance and the GI Bill program, you can enhance your marketability and career prospects by participating in a SkillBridge opportunity.

Any rank, enlisted or officer, may apply for SkillBridge. SkillBridge permits you to use up to the last 180 days of service to train and learn with an industry partner. During SkillBridge participation you continue to receive military compensation and you are covered by your military benefits. Release for SkillBridge is always mission-dependent, however, and your unit commander must authorize participation prior to entering into any agreement with interested industry employment partners.

There are many industry partners with opportunities in a variety of fields, such as energy, information technology, manufacturing, retail, transportation, civil service and more, who have developed SkillBridge programs for service members because they value your expertise, dedication, and service.

Go to the SkillBridge Locations Map to learn about existing opportunities.

You may be eligible to participate in SkillBridge if you:

• Have 180 days of service or fewer remaining prior to your date of discharge and you have at least 180 continuous days of active service.
• Obtain approval from your unit commander.
• Agree that participation in SkillBridge can be terminated at any time by the service if mission requirements dictate.

Go to the SkillBridge Locations Map to learn about existing opportunities.

Note: As published in the joint ethics regulations of the Department of Defense and as outlined in the Fact Sheet #71, Service members participating in a SkillBridge program are participating in a Capstone training experience at the end of the military career and are NOT eligible for wages or other benefits from industry partners since the program is supported by the Department of Defense which will continue to cover the salaries and benefits of the participating members.

NOTICE FOR ALL MILITARY MEMBERS INTERESTED IN COMMERCIAL DRIVING OPPORTUNITIES:

Historic challenges in the country's supply chain system and commercial truck driver shortages are creating many opportunities for meaningful and gainful employment.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have extensive opportunities for military members completing their service to earn their Commercial Driver's License, including unique opportunities for veterans under 21 years of age. The talents and experiences attained during their time in military service make veterans ideal candidates for these roles.

By typing key terms in the "Keyword Search" block of the SkillBridge Locations page (e.g., "Trucking," "CDL," or "Driver") you can find SkillBridge partners that can assist you in becoming a commercial truck driver.

Military members can also get assistance earning a CDL while still on active duty by visiting their service's Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) page, linked here on the DOD COOL page.

To learn more about federal resources that can help service members and veterans pursue a career in the trucking industry, view this Fact Sheet from the Department of Labor (DOL).