Skillbridge is an amazing concept that, if performed to standard by DOD policy, would positively impact so many service members. This is one more example of groupthink and bias clouding policy. According to Marine Corps Recruiting Command, the Marine Corps has 3 missions: 1. We make Marines 2. We win our Nation's battles 3. We return quality citizens. Once again, this time in a Marines most vulnerable stage of their personal and professional lives, we have to do more with less. I have personally lost job opportunities due to local commanders putting restrictions on this DOD policy.
Now, without simply complaining and with the goal of making it better for both the Organization and our servicemembers, I have an idea. I call it, the Summer Internship Program. Simply stated, move the 180 days of skill bridge from the terminal portion of a Marines career, and allow servicemembers to apply to companies and work as interns for 30 days each summer. This can be done on-site, hybrid, or virtually based on today's job market. This will allow three things to happen;
1. The servicemember gets exposure to the industry outside the military and in doing so, gains a clearer picture of what they would like to decide moving forward (reenlistment or separation).
2. The organization and its units can stagger this like any other program which requires planning and preparation (like the calibrations program).
3. Companies have a chance to familiarize themselves with potential future employees and build pipelines into the active duty community. Returning servicemembers can and WILL talk about their experiences with their contemporaries and this will encourage more to seek employment with those companies.
I know this requires patience, and adaptation of concepts which for certain servicemembers may be challenging. It certainly doesn't fill all the gaps, but it's better than dangling a carrot only to use the very stick that you hang it to lead. Our servicemembers deserve more, from the 20-year servicemember who always gave in to 'the needs of the Corps', to the first termer who has just begun their professional careers and seeks change. We all deserve better than that.
The Marine Corps has decided that the Department of Defense's 180-day policy for junior Marines is excessive, so they have reduced it to 120 days, while the Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Army continue with the 180-day policy.
I would accept this decision if the general who signed it and the generals involved in the decision are prohibited from taking jobs with any defense industrial base. Where virtually every retired general ends up with a guaranteed 200k+ salary combined.
These generals can create policies like this knowing they have job security.
They don't understand what it's like to try to get a job without the connections, power, and influence that come with holding a high office- without a degree, etc. A gap meant to be filled by Skillbridge.
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