MCTO pilots inaugural DoW SkillBridge preparation course for a fall 2026 launch

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Department of War’s (DoW) Military-Civilian Transition Office (MCTO) completed the final pilot of its inaugural DoW SkillBridge Preparation Training course on September 14, 2026 in Norfolk, Virginia. This concluded a series of Navy, Marine Corps and Army sessions designed to gather service member feedback on the SkillBridge curriculum before its planned fall 2026 launch for the Total Force.

MCTO developed the course to give service members a stronger foundation on the DoW SkillBridge eligibility, active duty ethical considerations while training with civilian employers, new initiatives like the DoW Project Patriot Pipeline that tie into SkillBridge, and how to identify approved opportunities that align with their post-transition civilian career goals.

The pilot series commenced between August 24 and September 1, spanning sessions at Naval Base San Diego, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, a virtual Army session, Marine Corps Base Quantico, and Naval Station Norfolk.

The curriculum is organized into three modules of content: SkillBridge orientation and ethics, technical and nontechnical competencies, and finding the right SkillBridge fit. The training includes a participant guidebook, facilitator guidebook and presentation slide deck.

“Behind this launch are months of intensive design, iterative drafting, and meticulous attention to detail,” said Alison Patz, MCTO course developer. “We deliberately moved away from dense, text-heavy content to build clean, intuitive, and visually engaging training materials. It was a big undertaking, but translating complex guidelines into accessible, attractive material is critical to ensuring our service members can easily absorb and benefit from this training.”

For MCTO, conducting pilots across multiple Military Services provided an opportunity to validate the curriculum directly with the service members who will use it and assess whether the training clearly explains the information they need before beginning their SkillBridge process.

“The pilot visits highlighted the importance of piloting the new curriculum and validating SkillBridge’s training products, which have been designed to streamline and connect transitioning service members with civilian and federal companies for on-the-job training, employment skill training, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships or internships during the final phase of active duty,” said Frank Lencz, MCTO strategic plans and initiatives analyst.

At Naval Base San Diego, 34 Sailors from multiple commands participated in the first Navy pilot. Participants ranged from E-4 petty officers to O-3 junior officers with between four and 18 years of military service. Participants responded positively to the course materials, including the participant guidebook, knowledge checks and activities.

The Norfolk pilot reinforced one of the course’s central messages: service members can begin preparing for SkillBridge well before they are eligible to participate. The training shows participants how to use the official SkillBridge website, research approved providers and opportunities, identify potential prerequisites and understand how SkillBridge fits into their broader military-to-civilian transition plan.

“I definitely learned a lot just from this hour-long course that I didn’t know beforehand,” one Sailor said during the Norfolk pilot.

“Hearing directly from the 170 active-duty personnel who attended our pilots was not just beneficial—it was essential,” Patz added. “Their candid suggestions, thoughts, and firsthand feedback directly shaped and refined the SkillBridge Preparation Training. By listening to those on the ground, the Department will deliver a high-impact product that is truly built by the force, for the Total Force.”

The course also helps service members understand that finding the right SkillBridge fit may depend on career goals, location, training format, qualifications and family circumstances. Approved opportunities can help service members build on military experience or prepare for a different civilian career.

SkillBridge opportunities also support workforce needs across the Defense Industrial Base and broader national security missions, including maritime and shipbuilding, aviation and aerospace, cybersecurity and information technology, engineering, logistics, advanced manufacturing and skilled trades.

With the pilot series complete, MCTO will use the results to finalize the SkillBridge Preparation Training course ahead of the fall 2026 launch to the Total Force.

DoW SkillBridge provides eligible service members opportunities to gain civilian work experience through approved industry training, apprenticeships and internships during their final 180 days of military service, subject to service-specific requirements and command approval.

Explore DoW SkillBridge at: https://skillbridge.mil.

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.