The Department of Defense (DOD) is not collecting comprehensive data on its SkillBridge program, which allows service members to participate in job training during the final months of their military service. According to a report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on August 22, while some data is being collected, it is done on an ad hoc basis rather than through a standardized, department-wide system.
The GAO found that no consistent data exists at the department level regarding service member participation in SkillBridge or the number of employment offers the program generates. Data collection methods vary across military branches, contributing to the lack of centralized oversight. For example, while the Army began standardizing its data collection for SkillBridge in 2022, the Air Force, Space Force, Navy, and Marine Corps continue to gather data manually from various sources. The Coast Guard, lacking the necessary resources, does not track SkillBridge data at all, though it may adopt the Navy’s system in the future.
The GAO report noted, “More fully leveraging available information would better position the military services to identify potential shortcomings with the SkillBridge program or challenges facing service members participating in the program.” Investigators emphasized that better data collection would help military branches develop tailored solutions and hold themselves accountable for improving the program.
In response to the report, the DOD agreed to update its guidance for SkillBridge to ensure consistent data tracking across all branches. The department also committed to implementing other GAO recommendations to improve oversight of the program.
About SkillBridge
SkillBridge is a voluntary program that allows service members with fewer than 180 days left before transitioning out of the military to participate in civilian job training. In fiscal year 2022, over 22,500 service members enrolled in or completed the program, and nearly 12,000 have participated in the first half of fiscal 2024.
However, participation in SkillBridge can be limited by several factors. Before enrolling, service members are required to complete the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which provides career readiness and veterans’ benefits information. TAP must be started no later than one year before separation from the military, but the GAO previously reported that 70% of service members begin TAP later than this, which may hinder their ability to take advantage of SkillBridge and other transition resources.
Mission readiness also impacts participation. Military leaders cited concerns about the inability to backfill service positions during an individual’s SkillBridge training as a significant barrier to wider participation.
The GAO also pointed out broader issues with transition programs. A separate report in July revealed that a DOD mental health program aimed at helping service members maintain access to mental health services after leaving the military is failing to reach most of its enrollees.
