Transitioning from military service back to civilian life presents unique challenges, but the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program is dedicated to smoothing this path for Air Force members. This initiative serves as a vital Air Force Career Program, designed to bridge the gap between your military expertise and rewarding civilian careers.
SkillBridge is a comprehensive DoD program that connects eligible transitioning service members, within 180 days of separation, with invaluable civilian work opportunities. These encompass diverse training programs, apprenticeships, and internships, all while you remain on active duty. This strategic approach ensures that separating Air Force personnel are not just leaving service, but stepping directly into promising career pathways. For the past two years, this air force career program has been instrumental in placing numerous individuals into fulfilling roles, with 15 success stories already emerging from Tinker Air Force Base alone.
Chris Kern-Garcia, an education services specialist with the 72nd Force Support Squadron, emphasizes the program’s core objective: “It’s to help transitioning service members so when they’re walking out of the gate they’re walking into a career. It helps them transition more easily from military life to civilian life. It’s a wonderful service that I think is really underutilized. The aim is for Service members to be gainfully employed and provide a stable family life.” This air force career program is about more than just finding a job; it’s about building a stable and prosperous future after your service.
James Parton, a former member of the 552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, exemplifies the program’s success. As the first from his unit at Tinker to complete SkillBridge in November, he highlights the program’s practical application. “I figured the aviation industry around Tinker would be all about it and I started Googling local companies and actually ended up getting on with OG&E,” Parton recounted. He was surprised by the seamless transition, noting, “I was shocked at the similarities to how we do things on the flight line. The transition was smooth and so far it’s a good fit.” Parton’s experience underscores how this air force career program effectively translates military skills to civilian sectors.
The versatility of this air force career program extends beyond local opportunities. Doug Allen, who served as an Air Battle Manager at Tinker for seven years before separating in August, leveraged SkillBridge to pursue his career aspirations outside of Oklahoma. “What I did was use the SkillBridge Program for the Summer of 2019 to do a fellowship up here in Chicago with a consulting firm,” Allen explained. This initiative allowed him to secure a position as an associate at the Keystone Group in Chicago. Allen further elaborated, “I was lucky enough while on active duty to get my MBA through North Carolina’s online program and that kind of gave me the bug to get out of the Air Force in general and to approach the corporate sector, specifically consulting as an industry I wanted to join.” Allen’s journey demonstrates how the air force career program can facilitate career shifts across diverse industries and geographical locations.
To embark on your own SkillBridge journey through this air force career program, the initial step is to visit the Education Center for comprehensive program details and eligibility requirements. Coordination with your unit commanders and supervisors is crucial to ensure approval for your SkillBridge participation, as you will remain on active duty throughout the program. Prospective participants then research and identify companies or industries to partner with for internships, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training.
Chris Kern-Garcia advises on the program timeline, stating, “A service member really has to start applying for this program eight to nine months prior to separation or retirement. The vetting of the company and application process can take up to 30 days.” He strongly encourages early engagement, recommending, “We encourage them to come see us a year and a half out to have that initial talk and to think about what they want to do.” Early planning is key to maximizing the benefits of this air force career program.
For Air Force members interested in exploring this valuable air force career program, the Education Services Center at Bldg. 201 SE, Room 105 is your primary resource. Further information can also be found on the Air Force Virtual Education Center website at https://afvec.us.af.mil/afvec/Public/CareerSkillsProgram/CareerSkillsProgram.aspx. Take charge of your transition and leverage this exceptional air force career program to build a successful civilian future.
