(a) Employment Skills Verification.—(1) The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy shall provide to members of the armed forces who are discharged or released from active duty a certification or verification of any job skills and experience acquired while on active duty that may have application to employment in the civilian sector. The preceding sentence shall be carried out in conjunction with the Secretary of Labor.
(2) In order to improve the accuracy and completeness of a certification or verification of job skills and experience required by paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall—(A) establish a database to record all training performed by members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force that may have application to employment in the civilian sector; and
(B) make unclassified information regarding such information available to States and other potential employers referred to in subsection (c) so that State and other entities may allow military training to satisfy licensing or certification requirements to engage in a civilian profession.
(3) The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that a certification or verification of job skills and experience required by paragraph (1) is rendered in such a way that States and other potential employers can confirm the accuracy and authenticity of the certification or verification.
(b) Employment Assistance Centers.—The Secretary of Defense shall establish permanent employment assistance centers at appropriate military installations. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish permanent employment assistance centers at appropriate Coast Guard installations.
(c) Information to Civilian Entities.—(1) For the purpose of assisting members covered by subsection (a) and their spouses in locating civilian employment and training opportunities, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish and implement procedures to release to civilian employers, organizations, State employment agencies, and other appropriate entities the names (and other pertinent information) of such members and their spouses. Such names may be released for such purpose only with the consent of such members and spouses.
(2)(A) A State may—(i) use a certification or verification of job skills and experience provided to a member of the armed forces under subsection (a); and
(ii) in the case of members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force, request the Department of Defense to confirm the accuracy and authenticity of the certification or verification.
(B) A response confirming or denying the information shall be provided within five business days.
(d) Employment Preference by Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities.—The Secretary of Defense shall take such steps as necessary to provide that members of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force who are involuntarily separated, and the dependents of such members, shall be provided a preference in hiring by nonappropriated fund instrumentalities of the Department. Such preference shall be administered in the same manner as the preference for military spouses provided under section 1784(a)(2) of this title, except that a preference under that section shall have priority over a preference under this subsection. A person may receive a preference in hiring under this subsection only once. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide the same preference in hiring to involuntarily separated members of the Coast Guard, and the dependents of such members, in Coast Guard nonappropriated fund instrumentalities.
(e) Employment Skills Training; Skillbridge.—(1)(A) The Secretary concerned may carry out one or more programs to provide eligible members of the armed forces under the jurisdiction of the Secretary with job training and employment skills training, including apprenticeship programs, to help prepare such members for employment in the civilian sector. Such a program shall be known as “Skillbridge”.
(B) The Secretary of a military department shall carry out one or more programs under this subsection.
(2) A member of the armed forces is an eligible member for purposes of a program under this subsection if the member—(A) has completed at least 180 days on active duty in the armed forces; and
(B) is expected to be discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces within 180 days of the date of commencement of participation in such a program.
(3) To carry out this subsection, the Secretary concerned shall—(A) assign not fewer than two full-time equivalent positions; and
(B) develop for each fiscal year a funding plan that includes funding lines across the future-years defense program under section 221 of this title.
(4) For any program under this subsection, the Secretary concerned shall, on an annual basis—(A) circulate, to members serving on active duty under the jurisdiction of such Secretary concerned, information about the program (including eligibility requirements and the application process); and
(B) conduct outreach to inform potential employers about Skillbridge, participating members, and how the program operates, and to increase the number of, and types of, employers that hire program participants.
(5) Any program under this subsection may be carried out at, through, or in consultation with such other departments or agencies of the Federal Government as the Secretary concerned considers appropriate.
(6) Any program under this subsection shall be carried out in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary concerned.
(Added Pub. L. 101–510, div. A, title V, § 502(a)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1553; amended Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title V, § 542(a)(2), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2767; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title X, § 1073(a)(21), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1901; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(b)(1), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2314; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title V, § 551, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1412; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(f)(13), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1952; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title V, § 542(a)–(c), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1394, 1395; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title V, § 562, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1395; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title V, § 572, title IX, § 924(b)(1)(J), (3)(R), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3643, 3820, 3821; Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title V, § 561(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2598; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, § 572(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 275; Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(a)(13), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1208.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments2025—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 119–60 substituted “(A)” for “(a)”.
2023—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 118–31, § 572(a)(1), designated existing provisions as subpar. “(a)” and added subpar. (B).
Subsec. (e)(3) to (6). Pub. L. 118–31, § 572(a)(2), (3), added pars. (3) and (4) and redesignated former pars. (3) and (4) as (5) and (6), respectively.
2022—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 117–263, § 561(a)(1), inserted “; Skillbridge” after “Training” in heading.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 117–263, § 561(a)(2), inserted at end “Such a program shall be known as ‘Skillbridge’.”
2021—Subsecs. (a)(2)(A), (c)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 116–283, § 924(b)(1)(J), substituted “Marine Corps, and Space Force” for “and Marine Corps”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–283, § 924(b)(3)(R), substituted “Marine Corps, or Space Force” for “or Marine Corps”.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 116–283, § 572(1), substituted “concerned” for “of a military department”.
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 116–283, § 572(2), struck out “of the military department” after “Secretary”.
Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 116–283, § 572(3), substituted “Secretary concerned” for “Secretary of Defense”.
2019—Subsec. (e)(3), (4). Pub. L. 116–92 added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4).
2017—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–91, § 542(a), (b), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added pars. (2) and (3).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–91, § 542(c), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).
2013—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–239 inserted “when it is not operating as a service in the Navy” after “Coast Guard”.
2011—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 112–81 added subsec. (e).
2002—Subsecs. (a) to (d). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted “of Homeland Security” for “of Transportation”.
1997—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–85 substituted “section 1784(a)(2) of this title” for “section 806(a)(2) of the Military Family Act of 1985”.
1994—Pub. L. 103–337, § 542(a)(2)(A), struck out “: Department of Defense” after “assistance” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–337, § 542(a)(2)(B), inserted “and the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard” after “Secretary of Defense” and struck out “under the jurisdiction of the Secretary” after “armed forces”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–337, § 542(a)(2)(C), inserted at end “The Secretary of Transportation shall establish permanent employment assistance centers at appropriate Coast Guard installations.”
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–337, § 542(a)(2)(D), inserted “and the Secretary of Transportation” after “Secretary of Defense”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–337, § 542(a)(2)(E), inserted at end “The Secretary of Transportation shall provide the same preference in hiring to involuntarily separated members of the Coast Guard, and the dependents of such members, in Coast Guard nonappropriated fund instrumentalities.”
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2002 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 107–296 effective on the date of transfer of the Coast Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, see section 1704(g) of Pub. L. 107–296, set out as a note under section 101 of this title.
Effective Date of 1994 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–337 applicable only to members of the Coast Guard who are separated after Sept. 30, 1994, see section 542(e) of Pub. L. 103–337, set out as a note under section 1141 of this title.
RegulationsPub. L. 117–263, div. A, title V, § 561(b), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2598, provided that:
“To carry out Skillbridge, the Secretary of Defense shall, not later than September 30, 2023—
“(1) update Department of Defense Instruction 1322.29, titled ‘Job Training, Employment Skills Training, Apprenticeships, and Internships (JTEST-AI) for Eligible Service Members’; and
“(2) develop a funding plan for Skillbridge that includes funding lines across the future-years defense program under section 221 of title 10, United States Code.”
Military Training and Competency RecordsPub. L. 118–159, div. A, title V, § 574, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 1909, provided that:
“(a) Competency Records.—“(1) In general.—The Secretary of a military department shall provide, to each member of a covered Armed Force under the jurisdiction of such Secretary, a document that outlines the training and qualifications acquired by the member while serving in such covered Armed Force. Such document shall be known as a ‘competency record’.
“(2) Format and contents.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop a standardized format for competency records, which shall include, at a minimum, the following information:“(A) Relevant personal details about the member.
“(B) Description of training courses, certifications, and qualifications obtained.
“(C) Date and duration of each completed training.
“(D) Authorized signatures and other necessary authentication.
“(3) Availability.—A competency record shall be provided to a member upon the separation or retirement of such member from a covered Armed Force.
“(b) Implementation.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2024], the Secretary of Defense shall establish the necessary regulations, procedures, and timelines for the implementation of this section.
“(c) Report.—Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the implementation and usefulness of competency records and any recommendations of the Secretary for improving competency records. The report shall include feedback and recommendations from States and other employers regarding the usability and accuracy of the information in the competency records.
“(d) Covered Armed Force Defined.—In this section, the term ‘covered Armed Force’ means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force.”
Authority To Expand Eligibility for the United States Military Apprenticeship ProgramPub. L. 115–91, div. A, title V, § 546, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1397, provided that:
“(a) Expansion Authorized.—The Secretary of Defense may expand eligibility for the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program to include any member of the uniformed services.
“(b) Definition.—In this section, the term ‘uniformed services’ has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(5) of title 10, United States Code.”
Pilot Program To Assist Members of the Armed Forces in Obtaining Post-Service EmploymentPub. L. 113–291, div. A, title V, § 555, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3379, provided that:
“(a) Program Authorized.—The Secretary of Defense may conduct the program described in subsection (c) to enhance the efforts of the Department of Defense to provide job placement assistance and related employment services to eligible members of the Armed Forces described in subsection (b) for the purposes of—“(1) assisting such members in obtaining post-service employment; and
“(2) reducing the amount of ‘Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers’ that the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating pays into the Unemployment Trust Fund.
“(b) Eligible Members.—Employment services provided under the program are limited to members of the Armed Forces, including members of the reserve components, who are being separated from the Armed Forces or released from active duty.
“(c) Evaluation of Use of Civilian Employment Staffing Agencies.—“(1) Program described.—The Secretary of Defense may execute a program to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of utilizing the services of civilian employment staffing agencies to assist eligible members of the Armed Forces in obtaining post-service employment.
“(2) Program management.—To manage the program authorized by this subsection, the Secretary of Defense may select a civilian organization (in this section referred to as the ‘program manager’) whose principal members have experience—“(A) administering pay-for-performance programs; and
“(B) within the employment staffing industry.
“(3) Exclusion.—The program manager may not be a staffing agency.
“(d) Eligible Civilian Employment Staffing Agencies.—In consultation with the program manager if utilized under subsection (c)(2), the Secretary of Defense shall establish the eligibility requirements to be used for the selection of civilian employment staffing agencies to participate in the program. In establishing the eligibility requirements for the selection of the civilian employment staffing agencies, the Secretary of Defense shall also take into account civilian employment staffing agencies that are willing to work and consult with State and county Veterans Affairs offices and State National Guard offices, when appropriate.
“(e) Payment of Staffing Agency Fees.—To encourage employers to employ an eligible member of the Armed Forces under the program if executed under this section, the Secretary of Defense shall pay a participating civilian employment staffing agency a portion of its agency fee (not to exceed 50 percent above the member’s hourly wage). Payment of the agency fee will only be made after the member has been employed and paid by the private sector and the hours worked have been verified by the Secretary. The staffing agency shall be paid on a weekly basis only for hours the member worked, but not to exceed a total of 800 hours.
“(f) Oversight Requirements.—In conducting the program, the Secretary of Defense shall establish—“(1) program monitoring standards; and
“(2) reporting requirements, including the hourly wage for each eligible member of the Armed Forces obtaining employment under the program, the numbers of hours worked during the month, and the number of members who remained employed with the same employer after completing the first 800 hours of employment.
“(g) Source and Limitation on Program Obligations.—Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Defense for operation and maintenance for each fiscal year during which the program under this section is authorized, not more than $35,000,000 may be used to carry out the program.
“(h) Reporting Requirements.—“(1) Report required.—If the Secretary of Defense executes the program under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing the results of the program, particularly whether the program achieved the purposes specified in subsection (a). The report shall be submitted not later than January 15, 2019.
“(2) Comparison with other programs.—The report shall include a comparison of the results of the program conducted under this section and the results of other employment assistant programs utilized by the Department of Defense. The comparison shall include the number of members of the Armed Forces obtaining employment through each program and the cost to the Department per member.
“(3) Appropriate congressional committees defined.—In this section, the term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives], the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
“(i) Duration of Authority.—The authority of the Secretary of Defense to carry out programs under this section expires on September 30, 2018.”
Department of Defense Pilot Program on Work Experience for Members of the Armed Forces on Terminal LeavePub. L. 112–56, title II, § 236, Nov. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 724, provided that:
“(a) In General.—The Secretary of Defense may establish a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing to members of the Armed Forces on terminal leave work experience with civilian employees and contractors of the Department of Defense to facilitate the transition of the individuals from service in the Armed Forces to employment in the civilian labor market.
“(b) Duration.—The pilot program shall be carried out during the two-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program.
“(c) Report.—Not later than 540 days after the date of the commencement of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives an interim report on the pilot program that includes the findings of the Secretary with respect to the feasibility and advisability of providing covered individuals with work experience as described in subsection (a).”
Demonstration Program for Training Recently Discharged Veterans for Employment in Construction and Hazardous Waste RemediationPub. L. 103–160, div. A, title XIII, § 1337, Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1805, authorized the Secretary of Defense to establish a demonstration program to promote training and employment of veterans in construction and hazardous waste remediation industries and to make grants under the program to organizations that had met certain eligibility criteria, and directed the Secretary to obligate the funds to carry out the program not later than Oct. 1, 1994, and to submit to Congress interim and final reports not later than Dec. 31, 1995.
Improved Coordination of Job Training and Placement Programs for Members of Armed ForcesPub. L. 102–484, div. D, title XLIV, § 4461, Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2738, as amended by Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(d)(7)(B), (f)(6)(B)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–419, 2681–430; Pub. L. 105–332, § 3(b), Oct. 31, 1998, 112 Stat. 3125; Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title X, § 1087(g)(7)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–294; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title X, § 1048(h)(3), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1229, provided that:
“The Secretary of Defense shall consult with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Economic Adjustment Committee to improve the coordination of, and eliminate duplication between, the following job training and placement programs available to members of the Armed Forces who are discharged or released from active duty:
“(1) Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 [former 29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.].
“(2) Sections 1143 and 1144 of title 10, United States Code.
“(3) Chapter 41 of title 38, United States Code.
“(4) The Act of August 16, 1937 (Chapter 663; 50 Stat 664; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.), commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act.
“(5) The Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.).”
Participation of Discharged Military Personnel in Upward Bound Projects To Prepare for CollegePub. L. 102–484, div. D, title XLIV, § 4466, Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2748, as amended by Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title V, § 543(f), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2771; Pub. L. 107–296, title XVII, § 1704(e)(4), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2315, provided that:
“(a) Program.—The Secretary of Defense may carry out a program to assist a member of the Armed Forces described in subsection (b) who is accepted to participate in an upward bound project assisted under section 402C of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–13) to cover the cost of providing services through the project to the member to assist the member to prepare for and pursue a program of higher education upon separation from active duty. Assistance provided under the program may include a stipend provided under subsection (d) of such section.
“(b) Eligible Members.—A member of the Armed Forces shall be eligible for assistance under subsection (a) if the member—“(1) was on active duty or full-time National Guard duty on September 30, 1990;
“(2) during the five-year period beginning on that date, was or is discharged or released from such duty (under other than adverse circumstances); and
“(3) submits an application to the Secretary of Defense within such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary of Defense may require.
“(c) Notification of Members Previously Separated.—To the extent feasible, the Secretary of Defense shall notify members of the Armed Forces who, between September 30, 1990, and the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 23, 1992], were discharged or released from active duty or full-time National Guard duty regarding the availability of the program under subsection (a). The Secretary may establish a time limit within which such members may apply to participate in the program.
“(d) Provision of Assistance.—“(1) Determination of amount.—The amount of assistance provided under subsection (a) to a member of the Armed Forces shall be equal to the anticipated cost of providing services to the member through an upward bound project, subject to the limitation that such amount may not exceed the monthly basic pay to which the member is entitled at the time of the separation of the member. The Secretary of Defense may provide assistance in excess of that limitation if the Secretary determines, on a case by case basis, that such assistance is warranted by the special training needs of the member.
“(2) Consultation.—The Secretary of Education may assist the Secretary of Defense in determining the amount to be provided under paragraph (1).
“(e) Use of Assistance.—A member of the Armed Forces who is selected to participate in the program may receive services through any upward bound project assisted under section 402C of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–13) to the same extent as other individuals eligible to receive such services. A member may not participate after the end of the two-year period beginning on the date on which the member is discharged or released from active duty, except that, in the case of a member described in subsection (b) who was discharged or released from active duty before the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 23, 1993], the period for participation in the program shall be two years from the date of the enactment of this Act.
“(f) Reimbursement.—Upon submission to the Secretary of Defense of a request for reimbursement of the costs to provide services to a participant, the Secretary shall reimburse the upward bound project submitting the request for the actual cost of providing services (including a stipend) to the member, not to exceed the amount provided under subsection (d)(1). Funds provided under this subsection shall be in addition to the funds otherwise provided to the project under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.). Not more than 10 percent of the funds provided under this subsection may be used for administrative costs.
“(g) Funding for Fiscal Year 1993.—Of the amount authorized to be appropriated in section 301 [106 Stat. 2360] for Defense Agencies, $5,000,000 shall be available to provide assistance under this section.
“(h) Application to Coast Guard.—The Secretary of Homeland Security may implement the provisions of this section for the Coast Guard in the same manner and to the same extent as such section applies to the Department of Defense.”
Service Members Occupational Conversion and TrainingPub. L. 103–337, div. A, title V, § 543(g)(2), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2772, provided that: “As soon as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 1994], the Secretary of Transportation shall implement the requirements of the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act of 1992 (subtitle G of title XLIV of Public Law 102–484; 10 U.S.C. 1143 note) for the Coast Guard.”
Pub. L. 102–484, div. D, title XLIV, subtitle G, Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2757, as amended by Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title XIII, § 1338, Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1807; Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title V, § 543(g)(1), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2772; Pub. L. 103–446, title VI, § 610(a)(1), (2)(A), (b), (c), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4673; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(d)(7)(D), (f)(6)(D)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–420, 2681–430, provided that:
[Pub. L. 103–446, title VI, § 610(a)(2)(B), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4673, provided that: “The amendment made by subparagraph (A) [amending section 4486(d)(2) of Pub. L. 102–484, set out above] shall apply with respect to programs of training under the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act of 1992 [subtitle G of title XLIV of Pub. L. 102–484, set out above] beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 2, 1994].”
]
[For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.]