MARADMIN 280/24 - Interim Guidance on the Implementation of the SkillBridge Program

Scope

MARADMIN 280/24 announces forthcoming changes to NAVMC 1700.2 (Marine Corps SkillBridge Employment Training Program) and provides interim guidance pending publication of a SkillBridge Order. SkillBridge facilitates service members' transition into the civilian workforce by providing industry training and experience.

Audience

Marines preparing to transition. Commanders deciding SkillBridge authorization. Installation SkillBridge coordinators. Career planners and S-1 personnel processing applications in NCMIS.

Policy posture

SkillBridge authorization is at commander discretion. SkillBridge is not a Marine's entitlement. Participation is prioritized for Marines who require additional transition assistance. Command impact and needs of the Service are prioritized. Readiness remains paramount.

Operative content

Timeline and duration

Three categories cap maximum days of SkillBridge before separation, retirement, or end of active service (EAS).

• Category I. E-1 through E-5. Up to 120 days.
• Category II. E-6 through E-7, WO through CWO-3, O-1 through O-4. Up to 90 days.
• Category III. E-8 through E-9, CWO-4 through CWO-5, O-5 and above. Up to 90 days.

Leave and PTAD

PTAD or leave in conjunction with SkillBridge is authorized. The combined absence falls within the three-category time limit. When used in conjunction, authorized PTAD (Transition PTAD and SkillBridge PTAD) executes prior to authorized leave (Terminal leave).

While in SkillBridge, the Marine reports as PTAD (Other) pending future updates to MCO 1050.3J. Marines do not extend obligated service to complete the program. Participation extending beyond time in service happens at the member's expense. The PTAD absence status is limited to SkillBridge participation only.

Marines remain subject to the UCMJ during SkillBridge. Commanders establish accountability protocols. Industry partners do not have authority to grant Marines absences beyond leave or out-of-bounds parameters. Absence-status changes route through the Marine Corps chain of command.

Approval authority

• Category I and II. Approving authority is a commander at the grade of Lieutenant Colonel and above, as defined by MCO 1050.3J.
• Category III. Approving authority is a General Officer. Category III participation must not result in a gapped billet.
• Joint commands. Marines serving in joint commands need an O-6 endorsement from their operational chain of command in addition to the application requirements. Final approval rests with the Marine administrative commander.

Eligibility and applications

• SkillBridge eligibility parameters remain unchanged per NAVMC 1700.2.
• IDES Marines remain eligible under the special considerations section of NAVMC 1700.2. Commanders authorize participation only if the Marine will separate within 180 days. Approval letters address the special-consideration criteria and assign the appropriate category.
• Installation SkillBridge coordinators guide Marines and commands on protocols.
• NCMIS (Navy College Management Information System) is the Marine Corps SkillBridge system of record. Marines initiate the application up to 365 days from EAS.
• Joint applicants. Servicing SkillBridge offices are often collocated with the approving Commander or administrative chain of command.

Effective date

Changes go into effect 31 August 2024. SkillBridge participation packages approved before the effective date follow NAVMC 1700.2 unchanged.

Connection to higher policy

• DODI 1322.29. Job Training, Employment, Skills Training, Apprenticeships, and Internships. The DoD authority for SkillBridge.
• Marine Corps Manual W CH 1-3. Foundational authority for the guidance.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine and lower policy

• NAVMC 1700.2. Marine Corps SkillBridge Employment Training Program. The underlying publication. NAVMC 1700.2B, dated 2025-04-04, is the current edition, and a forthcoming SkillBridge Order will codify the program.
• MCO 1050.3J. Leave, Liberty, and Administrative Absence. Governs the PTAD and terminal leave mechanics used with SkillBridge.
• MARADMIN 625/24 established a SkillBridge PTAD subcategory in Marine Online for tracking participants.
• Portal SkillBridge video pages and the leader page on civilian credential matching build on this guidance. The MCAAT outbound management checklist covers SkillBridge processing at separation.

Status

Active interim guidance. A Marine Corps Order will codify these changes. Applicable to Active Component and eligible Reserve Component Marines on Active Duty. Released by LtGen James F. Glynn, DC M&RA.