WASHINGTON, D.C. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed an expansion of the Defense Department‘s SkillBridge program to bolster support for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) divisions. This initiative aims to address critical needs at the southern border while providing transitioning service members with vital career training.
SkillBridge, a program designed to help service members transition to civilian life during their final 180 days of service, now prioritizes opportunities with ICE and CBP. “Recognizing the importance of leveraging talent and furthering our commitment to work with DHS, the department is expanding opportunities for transitioning service members to support southern border activities,” Hegseth stated in a May 28 memorandum.
Historically, SkillBridge has encouraged transitioning members to explore a wide variety of career paths. However, due to the ongoing national emergency at the southern border, the Defense Department is actively promoting ICE and CBP placements. “We will advertise and prioritize the opportunities to participate with the CBP and ICE,” said Michael Miller, director of the DoD’s military-civilian transition office.
The program provides valuable on-the-job training at no cost to service members while maintaining their military pay. Participants are placed with one of more than 6,900 partners to gain skills in nearly 10,000 career fields. Miller highlighted the high success rate of SkillBridge, noting, “With some programs, 90-95% go straight into employment.”
Under Hegseth’s guidance, military services are directed to approve service member requests for ICE and CBP internships or apprenticeships to the maximum extent possible. These training opportunities align with the agencies’ operational priorities, enabling DHS to fill critical workforce gaps. Tim Dill, deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness (acting), emphasized the effort’s dual benefits. “We encourage transitioning service members considering SkillBridge to continue to contribute to the security and territorial integrity of the nation through DHS’ critical operations,” he said.
The longstanding partnership between DHS and SkillBridge has already facilitated training placements within ICE, CBP, and nine other DHS entities. Although participants may not train directly at the border, their contributions are intended to strategically advance DHS’s southern border mission.
Established to support both departing service members and national priorities, SkillBridge reinforces its commitment to a seamless military-to-civilian transition while addressing pressing security challenges.
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