Bureau of Land Management offers transition opportunities to military members

Are you or any military service members who are about to transition out of the service? If so, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is interested in connecting with them about the SkillBridge Program.

This program is designed for active-duty service members within their last 180 days of service, offering them the chance to gain valuable civilian work experience through BLM volunteer internships through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the last 180 days of service.

The partnership is mutually beneficial. For service members, SkillBridge provides an invaluable chance to work and learn in civilian career areas. For the BLM, SkillBridge is an opportunity to access and leverage the world’s most highly trained and motivated workforce at no cost to the bureau. Service members participating in SkillBridge receive their military compensation and benefits, and the BLM provides the training and work experience.

SkillBridge is an excellent benefit for installation and Unit Commanders who have members about to be discharged from Active Duty. It can help service members bridge the gap between the end of service and the beginning of their civilian careers. Commanders can greatly ease this return to civilian life by supporting their reports’ interest in SkillBridge. When mission permits, Commanders who support SkillBridge participation are helping their personnel find a civilian career with a trusted federal employer.

Service members can be granted up to 180 days of permissive duty to focus solely on training full-time with the BLM after unit commander (first O-4/Field Grade commander in chain of command) provides written authorization and approval. The BLM offers real-world training and work experience in in-demand fields of work while having the opportunity to evaluate the service member’s suitability for the work.

To learn more about the program, please visit www.blm.gov/careers/veterans/skillbridge. If you are interested, please email your interest to blm_hq_skillbridge@blm.gov with “SkillBridge Program” in the subject line.