Coast Guard SkillBridge.
The Coast Guard sits under DHS, not DoD, but participates in DoD SkillBridge by policy choice. COMDTINST 1040.7A is the governing instruction (current; original 1040.7 from February 2022). The Coast Guard is the most generous service: all ranks, full 180 days, local CO approval via Command Memo. One unique rule: SkillBridge participation longer than 30 days locks you into separation from service.
Key facts
Current; original 1040.7 from February 2022. Supported by ALCOAST messages.
Coast Guard sits under DHS; participates in DoD SkillBridge by policy choice
Full DoD ceiling at all ranks — no rank tiering imposed
Command Memo is the standard format; no service-wide tier system
Participants enrolled longer than 30 days must separate from service
Approving officials may terminate for unsatisfactory participation, conduct, or operational need
The 30-day separation rule
This is the Coast Guard rule that catches members off guard most often. Per COMDTINST 1040.7: "Service members that enroll in and subsequently attend an approved SkillBridge program for greater than 30 days will be required to separate from service." SkillBridge in the CG isn't a "try before you decide" — once you cross the 30-day threshold, separation is the commitment. Plan accordingly: confirm your transition path is firm before you commit to a 60+ day program.
Sources
From rate to civilian role.
Coasties: BM, MK, ET, IT, AST, MST, OS — every rate translates somewhere. After DD214 makes the translation legible to civilian employers. Free Pro for verified veterans, spouses & dependents.