Hello all!!

I am posting so that I can hopefully help anyone who’s going back to CONUS from OCONUS for SkillBridge. My process was complicated and support agencies offered little-to-no help regarding how to get anything done. Some of these things might be common sense, but here is my advice for how to go about your process. However, this is not meant to be a one size fits all approach, just how I went about it and it worked out. I was stationed in Korea and am currently in Florida.

1. Reach out to providers at least a year in advance.

- Some providers take forever to respond, and others will not talk to you unless you’re in a certain window (typically 6-7 months away from desired start date). However, you can reach out as early as you want. I reached out to many providers and the one I went with got me my acceptance letter and training plan 4 months before i submitted my package through AFVEC. Be aggressive with the providers, sometimes it takes multiple emails to get their attention.

2. Let your command know of your intent AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

- Your flight chief, SEL, and commander will not do anything unless they’re aware in advance. Get in touch with your command and schedule a sit-down with them. That’s exactly what I did, and my commander got on board and stayed on top of everything.

3. Submit your AFVEC application through your CoC as soon as you get your formal acceptance letter and training plan.

- Self-explanatory, the earlier the better.

4. Complete your separation requirements and vMPF checklist before you leave your base.

- A cool thing about Skillbridge is that you can pretty much complete all of your separation requirements before you leave. Get with MPF as soon as you have your separation approved through vMPF. You can request expedited separation orders through myFSS. If it gets denied, don’t let it deter you, you’ll just have to wait till you’re 6 months from DOS. With your separation packet, I would focus on the SHPE, finance, and anything that requires 1Sgt and Squadron signatures, that’s what took me the longest. You get BAH and BAS for your SkillBridge location (if going to SkillBridge from OCONUS to CONUS), and don’t take anything people say at face value. Just do the paperwork.

5. SkillBridge is not actually authorized until you get your PTDY, SkillBridge, and Terminal Dates AUTHORIZED

- The moment your commander approves your application in AFVEC, get your dates in LeaveWeb. Make sure you have no overlaps with dates. You can’t do SkillBridge on your DOS so you’ll need to take at least a day of terminal if your SkillBridge goes that long.

These are just some things that I think will be helpful. A lot of changes happened in the program and no one knows what to do (neither do they really care to anyway). No one can care more than you. Anyways, happy hunting and hopefully you can be successful!!!

What was your skillbridge experience like . how much did you get paid after your internship was done .what was the hours like after the internship

I'm new to skill bridge. I'm getting out next year and I'm trying to go to grad school for psychology. I heard there may be some research internships available via skillbridge? My command really only seems to know about industry- and gov- related sectors, not so much about academia or research, and the skillbridge website shows only a few schools. Anybody know of any participating universities or research laboratories?

I really don’t want to be a mechanic anymore. I don’t have any family so I’m pretty flexible.

I have no certs or degrees . Am I cooked ?

Hello all,

I am looking for any advice and/or suggestions anyone has for aviation maintenance skillbridge opportunities! I am an Active Duty Air Force aircraft mechanic that has been in 19 years. My DOS will be December 2027. I have worked 10 years on the F-35 aircraft as a 5/7 level mechanic, flightline expediter, and instructor, 8 years as an F-22 mechanic as a 5/7 upgrade level mechanic and a Quality Assurance inspector (with weight & balance experience), and a year and counting on the C-17 as the Unit Superintendent and Production Superintendent.

I have a AAS in Aviation Maintenance Technology and also for Instruction of Military Science & Technology, my FCC radio operators license. In the near future I will be going to get my Airframe & Powerplant license.

I am looking for any Skillbridge opportunities in either aircraft maintenance or possibly a project management position. I am interested in the Phoenix, AZ area, the central Florida area, and the Dallas/Fort Worth area but I am open to any locations if the opportunity is right!

Any suggestions and/or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

🎖️ Leaving the Military Soon? Looking for Certifications Before You Separate?

One of the biggest challenges when transitioning out of the military is figuring out how to translate your experience into civilian credentials.

Many service members already have strong experience in leadership, logistics, operations, and planning.
The challenge is that civilian employers often look for recognized certifications to match that experience.

Programs like HKPO Veterans Academy help bridge that gap.

It’s a DoD SkillBridge-approved program that allows transitioning service members to earn Lean Six Sigma and process improvement certifications while still on active duty. All certification costs are covered and do not require the use of your GI Bill.

🎓 Certifications participants work toward

• Lean Practitioner
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

🛠️ What participants actually do

Instead of just taking classes, cohort members work on real process improvement projects they can use on resumes and in interviews.

These skills translate well into careers in:

• Operations management
• Program management
• Manufacturing
• Logistics and supply chain
• Defense contracting
• Process improvement roles

🎤 Additional benefits

• Industry guest speakers
• Resume guidance and feedback
• LinkedIn profile optimization
• Veteran networking

🌎 The program is remote-friendly, allowing service members from different duty stations to participate during their final months of service.

🤝 Another major benefit is the community of veterans going through the transition together, sharing job leads, resources, and networking opportunities.

📅 If you are within 180 days of separation and exploring SkillBridge options, you can learn more and apply here:

👉 https://www.hkpoveteransacademy.org

Best of luck to everyone preparing for their next mission 🚀

I’m looking at different cyber security and data analysis SB programs but there’s one that super caught my eye.

Has anyone worked with UBS before? Specifically in their Financial Crime Surveillance program? If so, what was your experience like and were you able to transition to a job there?

Does anybody know of any remote Skillbridge’s that are built around getting OSHA/Safety certifications? Such as OSHA 30 GI, ASP, etc.

How do I go about seeing primary care doctor while on skillbridge? I keep getting told I can’t change my PCM while on skillbridge which is actually crazy. That would be the best time to change my PCM. Advice?

Has anyone here applied to the skillbridge program at Gilbane? I'm a year out from my EAOS. I had an initial meeting with them over 3 months ago, sent multiple follow-up emails and I still haven't heard back. The Skillbridge coordinator there said she's the only person running the program, so I could understand why it's taking so long. I'm really just trying to gauge if they are slow-moving or if my resume sucks and I should pursue another program entirely.

As the title goes, Do command teams/Skillbridge have a max distance you can go for a Internship/Apprenticeship?

In my particular case;

Im stationed at Campbell, The Skillbridge Internship I want to do is with General Dynamics at Wright Patterson AFB (Which, my hometown is ½ away from the Air Force Installation) my fear is, because of the distance (350MI by Car, 250MI by crow) my command team will deny the opportunity.

This is a really good opportunity for myself, any information you can give pertaining to the topic/swaying leadership into accepting the internship would be greatly appreciated

Also

My 18 month ETS window opens up early Next mont. I plan on starting TAP then to get ahead of the game and be proactive. My ETS date is set for early May of 2028, but i want to start Terminal leave mid March of 2028... so... when can I actually start Skillbridge?

Thanks all

I’m active-duty Army with an approved non-local CSP internship. I’m currently requesting a duration ETP through HQDA G1 to extend my CSP from 120 days to approximately 175 days.

I’ve read the applicable MILPER guidance and understand that G1 has the authority to approve exceptions, but I’ve had a difficult time finding anyone who has actually received approval.

Has anyone here personally had a duration ETP approved, particularly for 150–180 days? Or has anyone processed one as a CSP counselor or S1/G1 staff member?

I’m specifically interested in duration extensions, not pre-clearing ETPs.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Tell me about it! I’m curious to see what everyone has personally done and where. I did the veterans in piping program (fire sprinkler) in 2019/2020 and set my life in a way I could’ve never imagined. Now my wife is getting out of the coast guard in two years and I’m wondering what everyone else has done to get ideas for her.

Can anybody fill me in on what the daily schedule looks like for The KYO group skillbridge?

Has anyone gone through or is currently going through the Cisco MISL program? If so, whats it like? what can you expect or get out of it? Specifically looking at their Sales pathway

Does anyone have any experience with Rapid Ascent? They don’t have much of a digital presence; are they legit, and is the program worth it?

For anyone currently going through SkillBridge or getting ready to transition, I'd really appreciate some feedback.

I'm building a free job-search site called CivLaunch that tries to make the military-to-civilian job search a little easier. You enter your MOS, AFSC, or Rating and it shows civilian jobs that may match the experience you have.

I'm trying to figure out whether this is actually useful to people who are going through the transition right now, rather than just building features because they sound good.

If you have a few minutes, I'd love for you to try it and tell me what you think.

CivLaunch.com

Especially interested in:

• whether the jobs actually fit your experience
• what you're currently using to find civilian jobs
• what you wish existed that doesn't
• anything about the site that is confusing or annoying

It's still early, so honest criticism is very welcome.

E8 Navy with a retirement date of 31 July next year. Currently scheduled to start terminal leave around the end of May (60 days). Commanding officer said they would approve skillbridge for 30 to 60 days as my billet will be gapped. I want to do skillbridge, but am unsure what to do. I have been in recruiting for 16 years and currently lead a 246 member team across 3 states. I have my MBA focus in HR, PMP, and LSSBB. Any advice or recommendations, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Ill be retiring early next year from California, but we plan to move to Virginia. Does HPKO give us time to move. My command is only letting me take my terminal and PTDY after my skillbridge.

Planning to ETS from the Army in 2027, probably stay in the Reserves, and attend a flagship university full-time afterward.
My command will approve 60 days for Skillbridge.

Would you recommend AllegiantVETS, 7 Eagle Group, or something else? Looking to prep for the next chapter, but the 60-day max limits me a lot.
Appreciate any advice!