How to Set Up a SkillBridge Program at Your Company
A Practical Guide for Employers Ready to Access Transitioning Military Talent
By Justin Dal Colletto
Why SkillBridge Is a Hidden Advantage for Employers
By now, you may already understand what SkillBridge is: a Department of Defense program that allows active-duty service members to intern with private-sector companies during the final months of their military service, while the DoD continues to pay their salary and benefits.
But here’s the challenge: most businesses still don’t know how to tap into this pipeline. The process seems unclear. The resources online are fragmented. As a result, employers miss out on one of the lowest-risk, highest-reward hiring tools available today.
This guide is here to change that.
Step 1: Understand Employer Eligibility
The good news? Most businesses can participate in SkillBridge. You don’t need to be a federal contractor or Fortune 500 company. You need to offer a meaningful training experience that supports the service member’s transition.
To qualify:
- Businesses must be in good standing and operational for at least three years, as verified through the respective Secretary of State
- Complete the online SkillBridge Ethics Brief, which takes approximately 30 minutes to finish, and receive a course completion certificate
- You must be able to offer a structured internship or training experience (not just free labor)
- You must be willing to mentor and report back on performance
- You need to complete a DoD SkillBridge application process. If you want assistance, Milivate can help!
- Applications open twice a year: In the Spring (February & March) and Fall (October & November)
Step 2: Decide on Your Intern Role(s)
Before applying, it is helpful to define the type of position(s) you wish to offer. The best SkillBridge internships:
- Mirror a real civilian job at your company
- Allow for skill development and resume-building
- Have a path to full-time employment
Common SkillBridge roles include:
- Project coordinators
- Technical specialists
- Logistics managers
- Marketing assistants
- Field service reps
- Software developers
Step 3: Get Authorized as a SkillBridge Host
Many companies get stuck at this stage, not because they’re unqualified, but because the approval process can feel confusing or overly bureaucratic.
To become an authorized SkillBridge host, companies typically need to:
- Complete application paperwork outlining the company program and point of contact
- Submit a training plan and internship description to the Department of Defense
- Wait several weeks (or more) for formal authorization
Milivate can assist you throughout this process. We have successfully helped several companies, including LegendsAirways and Atlas.vet, obtain SkillBridge approval.
Step 4: Create a Skillbridge Onboarding Experience
Once approved, onboard your intern like any other team member, but with a few extra considerations.
- Gain approval from their command team
- Set clear expectations upfront
- Assign a mentor or team lead to guide them
- Understand their timeline: many interns have specific separation dates, leave policies, or military obligations to work around
Milivate provides templates and onboarding playbooks to help you get this right.
Step 5: Evaluate, Hire, or Refer
At the end of the internship, you’re not obligated to hire, but if it’s a great fit, most companies do.
The DoD requires a 75% overall offer rate for all hosted interns. This doesn’t imply that every intern must be hired, but your program should be designed with that goal in mind.
Milivate Makes It Easy
SkillBridge shouldn’t be complicated. With Milivate, you don’t need to figure it out alone. We’ve already helped multiple companies across the country scale their SkillBridge programs.
We can accomplish:
- Program setup
- Paperwork
- Candidate Matching
- Timeline & Commander approval coordination
- Compliance support
All through one streamlined, tech-forward platform.
Ready to Launch Your SkillBridge Program?
Don’t wait until your competitors discover it first.
Let’s build your military talent pipeline today.
