What is SkillBridge?
The DoD SkillBridge program is a Department of Defense authority that lets transitioning service members spend their final months on active duty working a civilian internship, apprenticeship, or training program. You keep your military pay, your BAH, and your benefits. The civilian employer gets your time and skills for free.
Congress created the SkillBridge program in 2011 under 10 U.S.C. § 1143. The Department of Defense (now the Department of War, or DoW) runs it through the office at skillbridge.osd.mil. SkillBridge is a DoD-authorized program, not a VA benefit, so it does not touch your GI Bill entitlement.
The goal is simple. Most service members leave the military with strong leadership skills but limited civilian credentials. SkillBridge gives you a paid runway to learn a new trade, build a network, and often land a full-time job before terminal leave even starts.
SkillBridge eligibility in 2026
To join the SkillBridge program you must meet four core requirements set by DoD policy and your service branch:
- Be on active duty (or activated Reserve/Guard with at least 180 days on Title 10 orders).
- Have served at least 180 days of continuous active service.
- Be within 180 days of your separation or retirement date when the program starts.
- Receive written command approval and sign a DoD memorandum of understanding (MOU).
You also must be in good standing with an expected honorable discharge. Service members under investigation, on a flag, or with a recent letter of reprimand are usually disqualified until the issue clears.
The 180-day rule explained
The 180-day window is the maximum, not a minimum. You cannot start SkillBridge with more than 180 days remaining on your contract. You can absolutely start with less, such as 90 or 120 days. Many programs are designed around shorter cohorts.
Most experts recommend opening the conversation with your chain of command 9 to 12 months before separation. That gives you time to find a provider, draft your application, and route it for approval before you hit the 180-day mark.
2025 and 2026 policy updates
DoD tightened SkillBridge oversight in 2024 and 2025 after watchdog reports flagged uneven quality across providers. The big changes affecting 2026 applicants:
- Rank-tiered participation lengths. Each branch now caps program length based on rank, with junior enlisted typically getting the full 180 days and senior enlisted and officers getting less.
- Higher approval authorities. Most branches now require an O-5 or higher commander to sign off, and senior leaders need general officer approval.
- Tighter provider vetting. DoD is removing companies that do not deliver real training or that use SkillBridge as unpaid labor.
- Readiness gate. Commanders can deny SkillBridge if your release would create a gapped billet.
Pay and benefits during SkillBridge
One of the biggest selling points of SkillBridge is that you keep everything you currently get from the military. You are still on active duty. The civilian employer does not pay you and cannot promise you a job.
| Benefit | Status during SkillBridge |
|---|---|
| Base pay | Continues at full rate |
| Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) | Continues at your duty location rate |
| Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) | Continues |
| TRICARE health coverage | Continues for you and dependents |
| Leave accrual | Continues at 2.5 days/month |
| Commissary and exchange access | Continues |
| Service retirement clock | Continues |
Run the numbers with our military pay calculator and BAH calculator so you know exactly what hits your account each month while you intern.
Can the employer pay you?
Generally no. Under federal ethics rules a SkillBridge intern cannot accept a salary, sign-on bonus, or stipend from the host company during the program. Some employers offer reimbursement for travel, lodging, or training materials, which is allowed. Always confirm anything beyond reimbursement with your ethics counselor first.
SkillBridge by branch
Every branch follows the same DoD policy floor but layers on its own rules. Always read your branch instruction in full before you build a plan.
Army SkillBridge
Governed by MILPER 25-116. The Army uses a three-tier rank structure that caps participation time and pushes approval authority higher as rank climbs. Junior enlisted (E-1 to E-5) can typically get up to 180 days. Senior NCOs and field grade officers see shorter caps and need a brigade or higher commander to approve.
Navy SkillBridge
Governed by NAVADMIN 064/23 and follow-on guidance. Sailors apply through MyNavy Career Center. Commanding officer (CO) approval is required, and the request must be submitted at least 120 days before the desired start date.
Marine Corps SkillBridge
Governed by MARADMIN 280/24. Tiered system:
- Category I (E-1 to E-5): up to 120 days.
- Category II (E-6 to E-7, W-1 to W-3, O-1 to O-4): up to 90 days.
- Category III (E-8 to E-9, W-4 to W-5, O-5 and above): up to 90 days, general officer approval.
Air Force and Space Force SkillBridge
The Department of the Air Force updated its policy in June 2025. Applications no longer route through local Education and Training Sections. Commanders on G-series orders now approve, with rank-specific length caps. AFI 36-2671 governs the program through 2026.
Coast Guard SkillBridge
Governed by COMDTINST 1040.7A. Coast Guard members apply through their command and the Office of Work-Life. Length is typically up to 180 days, subject to operational needs and CG-1 oversight.
SkillBridge vs. TAP vs. terminal leave
SkillBridge is one piece of a larger transition puzzle. It works alongside, not instead of, the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and your accrued terminal leave.
| Program | Purpose | Timing | Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| TAP | Mandatory transition counseling and workshops | Starts 365+ days from separation | Full active duty pay |
| SkillBridge | Civilian internship/training with a vetted employer | Within final 180 days | Full active duty pay (no civilian salary) |
| Terminal leave | Use of accrued leave at end of service | Up to your separation date | Full active duty pay |
| PTDY (permissive TDY) | House-hunting or job-search travel | Last 30-60 days | No allowances during travel |
Many transitioning service members combine all four. A typical sequence: finish TAP early, start a 150-day SkillBridge, then burn 25-30 days of terminal leave to bridge to your DD-214 date.
Top SkillBridge companies and industries
The official SkillBridge Location Search lists more than 3,000 authorized providers. Some you apply to directly. Others run through a fellowship intermediary like Hiring Our Heroes, Onward to Opportunity (Syracuse), or VetsInTech.
Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship
The Hiring Our Heroes 12-week Corporate Fellowship Program (CFP) is the most widely used SkillBridge pipeline. It runs three cohorts a year at major installations and remote-friendly host cities. Fellows are placed with companies in their target industry and finish with a 90%+ job-offer rate inside the cohort network.
Industries that hire the most SkillBridge fellows
- Technology: Amazon AWS, Microsoft MSSA, Google, Salesforce Vetforce, AT&T cybersecurity.
- Consulting and finance: Deloitte, BCG, PwC, Booz Allen Hamilton, USAA, Wells Fargo (via Hiring Our Heroes).
- Logistics and operations: Walmart, FedEx, UPS, Lowe's store management track.
- Trades and manufacturing: CSX Pride in Service rail program, IBEW electrician apprenticeships, BMW Step program.
- Aviation: Delta Propel, United Aviate, FlightSafety International, regional carriers.
- Government and defense: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Leidos, federal SkillBridge slots at Interior, DHS, and Treasury.
How to apply for SkillBridge step by step
- Pick your separation date. Lock in your terminal leave plan and confirm 180 days backward from your DD-214 date.
- Talk to your chain of command early. Get a verbal yes from your immediate supervisor and the approving commander before you invest weeks in an application.
- Browse the official locator. Search skillbridge.osd.mil/locations.htm by state, industry, or remote.
- Apply to multiple programs. Treat SkillBridge like a job hunt. Apply to 5-10 programs and interview for the ones that fit.
- Secure your training plan and MOU. The provider must give you a written training plan and an MOU that complies with the DoD MOU template.
- Submit your service-specific package. Route it through your S-1 or career office. Include the MOU, training plan, command endorsement, and any branch-specific forms.
- Get final approval. Wait for the signed authorization. Do not start the internship until it is in your hand.
- Check in during the program. You are still active duty. Stay accountable to your parent command and keep your record clean.
What happens after SkillBridge?
When your SkillBridge wraps up you are usually within a few weeks of your separation date. Many fellows transition straight into a paid offer with the host company. Others use the experience to land a different role.
This is the right moment to lock in your veteran benefits. File a VA disability claim under the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program 90-180 days before separation so a rating decision is waiting on day one. Estimate your award with our VA disability rating calculator.
If you are retiring, model your pension and survivor benefit with the military retirement calculator and review BRS rules. New civilians should also review SGLI conversion to VGLI within 240 days and explore broader VA life insurance options.
Common SkillBridge mistakes to avoid
- Waiting too long to start the conversation. Commanders need lead time. Asking 90 days out is too late at most units.
- Picking a provider that is not actually authorized. Always cross-check the company on the official skillbridge.osd.mil locator.
- Accepting a salary from the host employer. That violates the program rules and can cost you your separation in good standing.
- Skipping the written training plan. A vague "shadow the team" plan is a red flag and may be denied.
- Forgetting your VA claim window. File a BDD claim before you start SkillBridge so your medical appointments and timeline still work.
- Not coordinating terminal leave. Map SkillBridge, terminal leave, and final out-processing on one calendar.
The bottom line
SkillBridge is one of the most valuable transition benefits a service member can use. You get up to six months of paid runway, real civilian experience, and a head start on the job market, all while collecting your full active-duty paycheck. With the 2025 and 2026 policy tightening, the bar for approval is a little higher, but the program is healthier than ever.
Start the conversation early, pick a vetted provider, get your paperwork right, and you will walk into civilian life with a job offer in hand. While you plan, use our free military and veteran calculators, review your retirement options, and line up your VA benefits for a smooth landing.
This page is informational and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Always confirm program rules with your command, your service-branch transition office, and skillbridge.osd.mil.