DoD framework

DoDI 1322.29 provides the department-wide framework for approved employment-skills training, apprenticeships, internships, and related transition opportunities. Written authorization is required, participation remains mission-dependent, and service members must use the implementation rules of their own military service.

1. Complete the required TAP and pre-separation steps.
2. Confirm that the opportunity is accepted under the current DoD and service process.
3. Check the service-specific participation window for your grade and status.
4. Identify the actual approval authority in your chain.
5. Use the correct service routing system and required packet.
6. Coordinate terminal leave, final medical/dental requirements, separation processing, and any other mandatory events.
7. Preserve the approved request, supporting documents, and final authorization before participation begins.

Service-specific implementation controls

• Army: current Army guidance routes Career Skills Program and DoD SkillBridge requests through IPPS-A; the Army source set should control Army packet routing and approval requirements.
• Navy: MyNavyHR states that SkillBridge is not an entitlement and that commanding officers retain final approval authority; current Navy rules use service-specific participation limits and sequencing requirements.
• Air Force: AFI 36-2671, effective March 31, 2026, governs Air Force SkillBridge implementation, including rank-based duration categories and approval authorities.
• Space Force: SPFI 36-2672, effective March 31, 2026, is the separate Space Force implementation instruction.
• Marine Corps: MARADMIN 280/24 remains listed as active interim implementation guidance pending replacement by a dedicated SkillBridge order.
• Coast Guard: Coast Guard TAP guidance and COMDTINST 1040.7 govern Coast Guard participation, with command approval and operational requirements remaining controlling.

Do not transfer one service’s rule to another. A DoD-wide 180-day statutory or policy ceiling does not mean every member is authorized for 180 days. A service can impose shorter windows, different approval levels, and different application systems.

Army routing changed in 2026

Army guidance states that, effective May 18, 2026, Career Skills Program and SkillBridge packets are submitted, routed, and approved in IPPS-A. That is an Army implementation rule, not a universal route for other services.

Official sources

• DoD SkillBridge program portal — SRC-009
• DoDI 1322.29 — Employment Skills Training — SRC-090
• Army — CSP/SkillBridge requests move to IPPS-A — SRC-091
• Navy — MyNavyHR SkillBridge — SRC-168
• Air Force — AFI 36-2671 — SRC-169
• Space Force — SPFI 36-2672 — SRC-170
• Marine Corps — MARADMIN 280/24 — SRC-171
• Coast Guard — TAP SkillBridge / COMDTINST 1040.7 — SRC-172
• Military OneSource — TAP — SRC-083

Source status: SRC-009, SRC-083, SRC-090, SRC-091, and SRC-168 through SRC-172 verified October 4, 2026. High-volatility service implementation sources are scheduled for recheck October 18, 2026.