U.S. Reps. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) and Mike Bost (R-IL) on Tuesday joined almost a dozen other original cosponsors to reintroduce a bipartisan bill that would expand access for all National Guard and Reserve service members to SkillBridge, a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) program that offers them training for high-demand careers as they transition to civilian life.
“Our National Guard service members have dedicated their lives to protecting our nation, and it is our responsibility to make sure they have a smooth transition to civilian life after service,” Rep. Armstrong said. “Expanding the SkillBridge Program will help more Guardsmen access valuable training programs, setting them up for fulfilling careers.”
Currently, the DOD offers access to the SkillBridge program only to active duty service members transitioning out of their military service. The Transition for Success Act, H.R. 4700, which Reps. Bost and Armstrong introduced with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA), would expand access to SkillBridge by allowing all National Guard and Reserve service members to participate in the program upon departing military service.
“The Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program provides vitally important job training to servicemembers as they begin the transition to civilian life,” said Rep. Bost. “However, under current law, only those on active duty are eligible, which means many National Guard and Reserve members are unable to participate. Expanding the SkillBridge program will help ensure that these military men and women can receive the support they need to gain a new skill set and successfully transition to civilian life.”
If enacted, H.R. 4700 would lead to a 30 percent increase in participation in the SkillBridge program, according to DOD.
The U.S. House of Representatives in 2020 approved the original Transition for Success Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, but the measure was not included in the final version of the legislative package, according to Rep. Armstrong’s office.