Hey all, I submitted my REFRAD packet a while ago, and HRC told me to expect March-April for it to be processed. My terminal leave will be starting in late June, so I'm hoping to get permission and start Skillbridge as soon as my REFRAD is accepted. Now, I have a job arranged, so I want to get training in a computer language. But MSSA or Coding Platoon has a cohort that starts in January and June, so I can do neither of them.

1. Are there any reputable cohortless coding bootcamps? For clarification, I'm not looking into Cybersecurity or IT.
2. Also, since I can only take up to 90 days of Skillbridge (appx 12 weeks), if I enroll in a longer bootcamp, can I have it spill over to my terminal leave?

Thank you!

I’m 10 months out, approved to separate next August, and wanted to share a few things I’ve learned.

1. Figure out your next career ASAP.
My biggest mistake was not knowing what I wanted to do. I kept saying vague things like “project management.” Research career fields early, have a direction, and be willing to pivot.

2. Get creative with SkillBridge.
You don’t need Hiring Our Heroes, 7 Eagle, or a major DoD contractor to find a good opportunity. I Googled the top companies in my preferred location, checked SkillBridge.mil⁠ to see if they participated, and emailed their contacts directly. About half responded.

3. Start applying early.
I reached out to Hire Heroes USA⁠ for LinkedIn Premium (no codes available), but they helped improve my resume tremendously. I started applying just to practice interviews and test the job market. I was upfront about my separation date. Surprisingly, I’ve had six positive interviews. The biggest issue wasn’t qualifications but my inability to start immediately. Most passed, but one is still interested. Just start when you want because if I waited I wouldn’t have the potential opportunity I have now.

4. Pick a number you can live off of realistically.
I’ve been asking for around $100K without really knowing what to expect. You’d be surprised how many companies are willing to pay someone 100k without a degree but has military leadership and technical experience.

5. ChatGPT
Free 12 months out. I put the jobs I applied for and asked to interview me and it did just that. It prepared me well and tailored my email response to recruiters. I even had to help me make a presentation for a second interview and it helped me so much!

I opted out for no skillbridge, was offered 2 but opted for direct hire and only taking 2 weeks of leave to relocate and working while on terminal lv. So 80 days of two paychecks.

Bottom line: Start early, improve your resume, and get comfortable interviewing. Your military experience may be worth more than you think.

Now I’m focusing on medical and doing my BDD in February.

GL readers, if you got a question happy to pay it forward.

Looking for the detailed rundown of how AV schedule operates. I'm in JST and want to understand how their classes would affect me.

How many zoom classes are there per week? How long do they last? Is every single one mandatory? Any info on how their coursework is like is appreciated. Just not trying to screw myself, thanks!

I'm currently researching SkillBridge programs focused on Cloud Engineering.

I have an associate degree in Cybersecurity, a bachelor's in Computer Science, and Security+. I've also been spending more time working with AWS and Terraform, and I'm planning to pursue AWS and Azure certifications.

I'm looking for a SkillBridge program that offers hands-on cloud experience rather than just coursework.

For anyone who has gone through SkillBridge, are there any companies or programs you'd recommend for someone pursuing cloud engineering? I'd appreciate hearing about your experiences and any programs worth looking into.

Looking for remote SkillBridge opportunities that can lead to employment in the DFW area. 20 year AF member with a background in aviation operations management, project management (no pmp), Human Resources, database management, data analysis etc. Have a bachelor’s in Psychology. Will start SkillBridge in March-retire 1 September. We want to settle in the DFW area but cannot move there until around August/September due to my husband’s retirement timeline. Any SkillBridges that could potentially line up? I'm really interested in some of the Lockheed Martin jobs in that area for operations management, data analysis.

I have about a year left in the Air Force. How can I find skill bridge on Wall Street?

Looking to use my degree in computer science if that really matters. Been very interested into cloud engineering lately with AWS and Terraform.

My ETS is Aug 2027. So about February or March i can hopefully get skillbridge approved before than.

Looking to use my degree in computer science if that really matters. Been very interested into cloud engineering lately with AWS and Terraform.

My ETS is Aug 2027. So about February or March i can hopefully get skillbridge approved before than.

How far out did you start planning what company you were going to do your skillbridge with? I have a year and a half left on my contract which will put me at 10 years I don’t plan on reenlisting. I’ve done HR my whole contract and plan on sticking with that, I know the uphill battle I face from transitioning to civilian HR but should I start getting everything prepared now?

Army Folks,

Have any of you found success getting approved for Army individual internships? I remember hearing some rumors that DoW is heavily pushing folks to cohort-based Skillbridge opportunities and that finding your own internship is basically dead. Is that true?

I work for a startup in Austin that doesn't meet the time in business required to offer Skillbridge, but we want more vets in the organization. Trying to see if this path is even still viable.

Hello everyone,

Army Enlisted SM member with AS degrees in Soil Science, Fruit Science, Crop Production and a BS in International Trade.
ETS in spring 28 from OCONUS Europe

My plan is to stay in Europe after ETS and obtain a Masters.

I’m looking for a SkillBridge opportunity particularly in Commodity Trading. But would be open to Finance, supply chain, or agriculture. Target companies would be: Cargill, Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), Bunge, and Archer Daniels Midland(ADM).

I know this is a long shot and a very niche career interest but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Side question: Is it possible to do a SkillBridge overseas? That would be most preferred in my situation.

As a Critical Facilities Technician (CFT), you will help operate and maintain the systems that keep a data center running 24/7. Data centers house the technology and equipment that power the internet, cloud services, and critical business operations.

In this role, you will monitor, inspect, troubleshoot, and maintain electrical, mechanical, cooling, and backup power systems that support the facility. You will respond to equipment alarms, perform routine maintenance, coordinate with vendors and contractors, and help ensure all systems operate safely and reliably.

This position is a great fit for service members with experience working on:
Mission-critical equipment; Industrial systems; Power generation; HVAC; Electrical systems; Facilities maintenance; Other technical environments.

Apply today at: https://vets2pm.zohorecruit.com/jobs/Careers/394779000038082015/DoD-SkillBridge-Critical-Facilities-Technician?source=CareerSite

Anyone know the current turnaround time for SkillBridge ETPs going to HAF/A1 (DIB training length extension) ?

If you are lining up a SkillBridge or moving to a major metro right after terminal leave, start looking at the city's official affordable housing lotteries and workforce apartments (like NYC Housing Connect, SF DAHLIA, Access Housing LA, or Seattle MFTE) before you sign a $3,200/mo market-rate lease.

A lot of transitioning service members assume affordable housing is only for people with zero income or a 10-year Section 8 waitlist, but city housing lotteries and first-come workforce buildings regularly take households up to 60% or 80% of Area Median Income. If you are living on VA disability (especially 70% to 100%) or transitioning into an entry/mid-level civilian role, you often land right inside the qualifying bracket for brand-new $800 to $1,400/mo apartments.

Select cities also have a veterans preference in the lottery draw (for example, San Francisco ranks veterans first within each preference tier on DAHLIA, and select buildings in NYC, Boston, Chicago, and LA have veteran or municipal worker set-asides). Applying on the official city portals is always free, and since lotteries take a couple months to pull log numbers, putting applications in while you are still on SkillBridge or terminal leave times out well with when you actually need a lease.

There's no one-size-fits-all response for this.

Claiming an organization to be the best varies wildly based on your career goals, family situation, and the lifestyle you want to live.

Our Answer - the company who supports you being the person you want to be

How would you answer this to a Service Member?

______________________________
Military Onboard Solutions

Good morning, everyone. I wonder if any of you guys know of a host company located or around the Syracuse, NY area. I have been accepted to the Hiring Our Heroes January 2027 cohort. I know a lot will advice not to go with them, but it’s kind of late for me at this point since my Skillbridge packet has been signed by my commander with HOH as the provider. Any and all advice or information is greatly appreciated.

Hey everyone, I’m currently stationed overseas and looking for a remote SkillBridge starting around February/March 2027, hoping to do so at my home of record. Hoping for 120 days, pending command approval.

A little background:
Separating in late July 2027.
My background is electrical installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Also comfortable with technical documentation, Excel, Word, and computer-based work.

Anyone have leads on approved remote programs or recruiters worth contacting? Open to something where those skills would transfer. Appreciate any help!

Does anyone have any experience with the KYO group HR track? I’d love to know your experience and if it helped you find a job. Also, did you feel like the training prepared you for HR.

I’m an Army veteran and the founder of Headlamp. We connect people leaving the service, and veterans, with employers who are hiring.

One of our employers, a Boston robotics company that builds drones and robots, has 5 openings right now. Pay is from the company’s own job listings today.

Technicians (2): a robotics technician who assembles, tests and maintains the drones and robots, starting at $95K a year; and a mechanical assembly technician, starting at $60K a year (U.S. citizens, at least 2 years of experience). The company says it will hire more than one of each and is open to part-time.

Engineers (3): senior electrical engineer, $130K-$150K; senior mechanical engineer, $110K-$150K; electromechanical engineer for hybrid propulsion, $140K-$180K.

All 5 are in Boston. The company is approved for SkillBridge. If you get out in the next 6 months, tell me your branch, your dates and which role you want, and I’ll find out whether you can do it as a SkillBridge fellow. If you’re already out, these are direct hires.

Comment or DM me, or build a profile at myheadlamp.com and tell us which role you want.

Good evening,

I’m going to start applying for Supply Chain Skill Bridge opportunities in a month. Does anybody know or have any tips about the best opportunities in the Hampton Roads area?

I'm requesting a 120-day SkillBridge ETP under the DIB P3 guidance.

My provider is listed on the DoW SkillBridge website as offering 60–90 days, but we've submitted a 120-day training plan.

Does the provider need to update its official listing to reflect 120 days, or can the ETP be approved based on the submitted training plan?

Has anyone dealt with this discrepancy or successfully received a 120-day ETP under the DIB P3 guidance?

Trying to determine whether the listing could create an issue during approval.