DoD SkillBridge —
Branch by Branch.
SkillBridge lets you spend up to 180 of your last days in uniform working a civilian job — full pay, full benefits, employer pays $0. Every service has tightened the program in 2024–2026, and the rules now differ sharply by branch and rank. Here's the verified, current state.
What every service shares.
Issued 24 Jan 2014, Change 1 effective 5 May 2020. The foundational "JTEST-AI" instruction.
Plus 180+ continuous days of active duty completed. Each service may impose shorter caps.
BAH, BAS, and healthcare continue. Host company pays $0 — DoDI 1322.29 forbids it.
Cross-branch comparison.
| Branch | Top approval level | Max days (highest rank) | Max days (lowest rank) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army | Battalion / Brigade Cdr | 180 (DoD ceiling) | 180 | Read |
| Marine Corps | Lt Col (Cat I/II) · GO (Cat III) | 90 (officer/SNCO) | 120 (E5 and below) | Read |
| Navy | Per command (tier-based) | 90 (O5+) | 180 (E5 and below) | Read |
| Air Force | Squadron Cdr+ (Colonels: SETP) | 60 (senior) | 120 (lower) | Read |
| Space Force | Squadron Cdr+ | 90 (E-9 / O-6+) | 120 (lower) | Read |
| Coast Guard | Local CO | 180 | 180 | Read |
Most generous: Coast Guard (no rank tiering). Most restrictive: Air Force (60 days at senior ranks; colonels need a Special Exception to Policy).
Don't write your packet without these in mind.
- 01Mission requirements — deployment cycle, exercise calendar, manning shortage. Most-cited denial across every service.
- 02Critical-fill MOS / AFSC / rate — services restrict SkillBridge for specialties facing retention shortfalls.
- 03Pending administrative action — UCMJ, finance, security clearance review, board.
- 04Bonus or retention payback — separating during/after SkillBridge can trigger payback obligations.
- 05TAP not complete — Army requires SFL-TAP completion before SkillBridge. Other services strongly recommend it.
- 06Inadequate program proposal — vague training plan, employer not on the approved provider list, or no career-field link.
- 07Late submission — most services need 6+ months notice; Marine Corps Cat III routes through a General Officer.
- 08Pending PCS or outstanding orders that conflict with the SkillBridge window.
Where service members actually go.
The full DoD-approved provider list lives at skillbridge.mil/locations.htm and runs into the thousands. The most active categories:
Microsoft MSSA · Vets in Tech · AWS re/Start · CompTIA-aligned cohorts
Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship · RecruitMilitary partner programs
Veterans in Piping · IBEW NECA · IUPAT apprenticeships
FlexAir / GoFlexAir · multiple regional carriers
Amazon · FedEx · UPS internal SkillBridge programs
Multiple carriers with on-ramp programs to civilian CDL careers
Ready for what comes after SkillBridge?
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