NAVMC 1700.2B - Marine Corps SkillBridge Employment Training Program

Scope

NAVMC 1700.2B establishes guidance for the Marine Corps SkillBridge Employment Training Program. The publication operationalizes DODI 1322.29 and provides clarification on the procedures and the reporting requirements governing SkillBridge participation. SkillBridge gives transitioning Marines industry training and employment experience in the months leading up to separation, retirement, or end of active service.

Audience

Transitioning Marines applying to SkillBridge. Career planners, installation SkillBridge coordinators, and command-level approvers. Reserve Component Marines on active duty orders weighing eligibility. Marines in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) or Wounded Warrior Transition Program (WWTP).

Enclosure map

• Enclosure 1. References.
• Enclosure 2. SkillBridge Administrative Procedures.

Operative content

• Marines must have sufficient time remaining on contract to complete SkillBridge prior to the established separation date. Marines are not authorized extensions of obligated service to complete SkillBridge.
• Reserve Marines on active duty orders are eligible. Reserve Marines are not authorized to extend active duty orders solely for SkillBridge.
• Marines must receive command approval to participate.
• Marines in IDES or WWTP with an unknown separation date are authorized to participate per the special considerations referenced.
• Marines must complete Transition Readiness Program (TRP) requirements. Installation TRP personnel and commanders support timely TRP completion for Marines planning a SkillBridge engagement.

Authority

Commandant of the Marine Corps publishes the NAVMC. Manpower and Reserve Affairs (MF) maintains it. The 4 April 2025 revision is the current edition.

Connection to higher policy

• DODI 1322.29. Job Training, Employment, Skills Training, Apprenticeships, and Internships. The publication operationalizes this DoD instruction.

Connection to Marine Corps doctrine and lower policy

• MARADMIN 280/24 provides interim guidance on SkillBridge implementation pending the publication of a SkillBridge Order. NAVMC 1700.2B is the underlying NAVMC. The forthcoming SkillBridge Order will codify the program. Until then, NAVMC 1700.2B and MARADMIN 280/24 jointly govern SkillBridge participation.
• NAVMC 1700.2B supersedes NAVMC 1700.2.
• MARADMIN 625/24 established a SkillBridge PTAD subcategory in Marine Online for tracking participants.
• Portal video pages cover the NAVMC 1700.2B policy update, and the leader page on civilian credential matching builds on the program.

Status

Active. Approved for public release. The publication ships with Enclosure 1 (References) and Enclosure 2 (SkillBridge Administrative Procedures).