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Train for your Next Career

Florida is First for SkillBridge Opportunity

The Department of War SkillBridge program places you with a Florida employer for the last 6 months of your service, with your full DoW pay and benefits intact. Every Veterans Florida service is provided at no cost.

100% DoW Pay

Keep Your Full Paycheck

Last 6 Months

Transition To Your Civilian Career

No Cost to You

Created by State of Florida

How It Works

What Is The SkillBridge Program?

Stay on active duty. Keep full DoW pay and benefits.


The Department of War SkillBridge program places active-duty servicemembers in their last months of service with civilian employers through internships, fellowships, and apprenticeships.

DoW has updated the SkillBridge program over the years, and each service branch has its own route to approval. Our team of veterans adapts to your branch's specific requirements. Every SkillBridge military placement we coordinate is with a Florida employer.

Apply now, and a Veterans Florida teammate will reach out to get you started.

Eligibility Requirements

Three Things Make You Eligible For SkillBridge

Active-Duty Status

The military SkillBridge program is open to active-duty servicemembers across every U.S. military branch: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, and Coast Guard. You need 24 months or less until separation or retirement. Servicemembers at any point in their term of service may apply with Veterans Florida.

Command Approval

Our team of veterans walks you through your branch's approval process and helps you make the case to your command. Command approval is required when you accept a SkillBridge opportunity, and it rests on mission requirements. Start the conversation 6 to 9 months before your separation date.

Your Timeline

The program runs during your last 6 months of active duty. Most of the activity happens earlier: research up to 24 months out, engage Veterans Florida 9-12 months out, command approval 6-9 months out. The sooner we start, the stronger your placement options.

If you are not active duty and are seeking career placement assistance, please visit our Careers page.

Your Skills Have a Home Here

Florida Leads The U.S. In Top Industries

Aviation & Aerospace
Defense & Homeland Security
Life Sciences
Law Enforcement
Agriculture
Manufacturing
Logistics & Distribution
Information Technology
Public Service

Real Placements. Real Careers.

Experiences from service members who used their last 6 months of service to launch their careers in Florida.

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"For me, doors were beginning to open and opportunities were starting to show up, and that was all thanks to SkillBridge. Veterans Florida made it the smoothest part of the transition."

Drake L.

 

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"SkillBridge along with Legends has allowed me to come in and instruct full-time as a certified flight instructor... I've been able to gain enough hours to transition into becoming one of their first officers."

Alex A.

 

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"The SkillBridge program is important overall for service members, no matter what their branch or rank, because it helps them transition professionally and personally into the civilian workforce."

Derrick F.

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"Having an opportunity to transition from the military early - to capture insight within the civilian sector, experience a company's culture, and preview a new role - provides an invaluable experience for a successful military transition."

Rich A.

 

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"I wanted to reach out and sincerely thank you all for allowing me the opportunity to complete my SkillBridge internship with the Department of Children and Families. It was an extremely meaningful and eye-opening experience."

Latoya

 

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"There's a ton that UF IFAS can provide for anybody interested in SkillBridge or just going through the Veterans Florida program. I highly recommend it - it definitely worked out for me."

Adam A.

 

 

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"Just wanted to say thank you for helping me with this process and I look forward to meeting you in person. SKILLBRIDGE APPROVED!"

Cory D.

 

State-Backed Veteran Support

Why Choose Florida for SkillBridge?

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In 2021, the Florida Legislature passed, and Governor DeSantis signed, the SkillBridge program into state law. Veterans Florida manages the program and is a DoW-approved SkillBridge Third Party Provider.

Florida's economy consistently beats national averages and other large states, with low unemployment, high economic growth, and the top ranking for developing its workforce. For a servicemember who wants to stay in or move to Florida, that adds up to a stronger head start on a civilian career and an easier transition than any other state can offer.

Veterans Florida places separating servicemembers with employers in high-salary, high-skilled, and high-demand industries. With years of experience placing separating servicemembers with employers in high-demand fields, Veterans Florida is your place to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 SkillBridge is a Department of War (DoW) program for active-duty servicemembers in their last 6 months of service (up to 180 days). The military SkillBridge program lets you train with civilian employers through internships, fellowships, and apprenticeships while still in uniform. Your full DoW pay and benefits continue throughout the training. 

Active-duty servicemembers in every U.S. military branch are eligible: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, and Coast Guard. You need 24 months or less until separation or retirement. Command approval is required when you accept a military SkillBridge opportunity. Servicemembers can apply with Veterans Florida at any point in their service to start the process early.

There is zero cost to participate through Veterans Florida. SkillBridge is a Department of War program, and Veterans Florida provides placement services at no cost. You keep your full military salary and benefits the entire training period.

Submit the application on this page, and then schedule a discussion with a member of our team. We walk you through your branch's command approval process and connect you with Florida SkillBridge employers. Every SkillBridge military placement we coordinate is with a Florida employer. For the strongest placement options, engage Veterans Florida 9 to 12 months before your separation date.

Florida offers SkillBridge opportunities across a sample of the state's top sectors: Aviation and Aerospace, Defense and Homeland Security, Life Sciences, Law Enforcement, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Logistics and Distribution, Information Technology, and Public Service. Veterans Florida connects you with employers hiring in these industries statewide.

Up to 180 days based upon specific military branch requirements. Most servicemembers run their SkillBridge placement across the last 6 months of active-duty service so they train in a civilian role before separation.