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<h1>SkillBridge: More Than Just Formalities</h1>

<div id="MainImg" style="margin-bottom:20px;margin-top:5px;"><img src="https://images.higheredjobs.com/images/articles/article_3768_1.jpg" alt="Two SkillBridge coworkers shaking hands." class="" style="" /><div class="ArticleCaption">PNW Production/Pexels</div></div>

<div id="article-byline">by Qunnette McCoy</div>

<div id="article-content"><strong>Thursday, January 4, 2024</strong> -
<p>The DOD <a rel="noopener" href="https://skillbridge.osd.mil/program-overview.htm" target="_blank">SkillBridge</a> program allows service members to acquire essential civilian work experience via targeted industry training, apprenticeships, or internships in the final 180 days of their service. This program facilitates the connection between transitioning service members and industry partners, offering them practical job experiences in the real world. DOD SkillBridge provides service members with a unique opportunity to gain experience and skills in civilian professions. For industry partners, it presents the chance to tap into and utilize a highly trained and motivated workforce without any cost. Participants in DOD SkillBridge programs maintain their military pay and benefits, while industry partners furnish the necessary civilian training and work experiences. Installation and unit commanders, overseeing service members on the cusp of transitioning from active duty, facilitate the shift from military service to civilian careers through DOD SkillBridge participation. By allowing their members to engage in SkillBridge programs with reputable employers, commanders significantly smooth the transition from military to civilian life.</p>

 <p>While SkillBridge is a well-intentioned program, scores of service members report difficulty in understanding how to apply and gaining the necessary approval to participate. There are a number of <a rel="noopener" href="https://skillbridge.osd.mil/commanders-education-office.htm" target="_blank">benefits</a> that can be gained by participating in SkillBridge, such as: 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; and discovering whether the company is a good fit for them.</p>

 <p>Here are a few service member concerns:</p>

 <p><strong>Target Population</strong></p>

 <p>Service members are often told they do not fall within the primary demographic the program was built to assist. Aspirants were frequently informed that SkillBridge was created for junior enlisted individuals who fall within the ranks of E1-E4 and are in their first term of service. Therefore, commanders sometimes hesitate to approve their requests when service members outside those ranks apply for the program. Senior military members may have gained invaluable experience during their service, but those retiring have been out of the civilian workforce for over twenty years. These individuals can significantly benefit from a SkillBridge opportunity to discover new skills, tools, and techniques utilized in the civilian workplace.</p>

 <p><strong>Confusion About the Program</strong></p>

 <p>This can be caused by individuals using terms interchangeably for programs that, although highly similar, are slightly different in their processes. Take, for instance, how the Army administers the program. <a rel="noopener" href="https://home.army.mil/imcom/customers/career-skills-program/soldier" target="_blank">U.S. Army Installation Command</a> makes a definitive delineation between the Army Career Skills Program (CSP), DOD SkillBridge Programs, and Individual Internship Programs. Additionally, the program focuses mainly on internships in the three previously discussed programs and buries the opportunity for apprenticeships.</p>

 <p><strong>Ongoing Military Commitments</strong></p>

 <p>Several military members report their units sometimes require them to attend accountability and physical fitness formations, as well as calling them in for other duties while they are engaged in a SkillBridge program. This causes conflict for the service members, as they must perform satisfactorily at the SkillBridge location, which includes not missing time out of the office while still acknowledging their obligation as service members. Some individuals also detail that they frequently assisted their successors. In the cases where a replacement had not yet arrived, they continued to perform some level of work for the organization.</p>

 <p><strong>Length of the Program</strong></p>

 <p>There is mixed input for this concern. Some service members prefer to make use of the entire 180 days, while others prefer a shorter term in order to take advantage of their military leave. Participants also relay they feel that more condensed program lengths often do not expose them to a wide range of experiences that would assist them in their transition.</p>

 <p>Institutions of higher education participating in the SkillBridge program must be aware that while many commanders are incredibly supportive of the program, others may have approved requests with stipulations to still support the unit. Individuals who interact with SkillBridge participants should be aware that some of these issues may be occurring in the background, which is not entirely transparent. A suggested method to support the service member would be to create an open line of communication wherein the individual can report time conflicts between the SkillBridge organization and their military unit.</p>

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<p>This article is republished from <a href="https://www.HigherEdMilitary.com">HigherEdMilitary</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://www.higheredmilitary.com/news/articleDisplay.cfm?ID=3768">original article</a>.</p>
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