My name is Brock Young, and I am a “mil-to-fed” success story and SkillBridge Champion.

Participating in the Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge program with the San Francisco Federal Executive Board (part of the U.S. Department of Labor at the time) was instrumental in my transition from 24 years of active-duty military service to a Federal career in the same month. The unique aspects of the program, such as the opportunity to connect with Federal agency recruiters, HR specialists, and leaders, and the exposure to a broad range of Federal leaders and agencies within the region, were invaluable. Without this program, I would have faced the same confusion that many transitioning service members encounter when navigating Federal employment, with the overwhelming abundance of misleading information online about Federal employment. Although the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provided me with some very useful information on Federal Hiring, I believe the program could be significantly improved with some minor modifications to be much more effective. For example, providing direct relevant information pertinent to transiting service members applying for Federal jobs would enhance the Federal Government appeal as the employer of choice for those wishing to transition to civilian service. This includes providing more exposure to Federal resources such as OPM's Feds Hire Vets https://www.opm.gov/fedshirevets/, DOD’s SkillBridge https://skillbridge.osd.mil/, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VA for Vets https://www.vaforvets.va.gov/, and other Federal opportunities for veterans.

The DoD’s SkillBridge program offered me an invaluable opportunity to immerse myself in the Federal system and learn what I needed to do from the inside. It allowed me the opportunity to connect and network with Federal agency recruiters, HR specialists, and leaders, gaining insights into what they were looking for in candidates, and how to best position myself effectively. My unique SkillBridge experience involved the Federal Executive Board’s mission, which enabled me to showcase my knowledge, training, skills, and expertise to a broad range of Federal leaders and agencies within the region rather than just one agency or office.

My journey also taught me some hard lessons: transitioning from the military to civilian service is not as straightforward as many people might assume. I learned that Veterans' Preference and Special Hiring Authorities do not always apply to many transitioning service members or Veterans, and I found that the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) was my primary avenue for competing for Federal positions. The VEOA allowed me to compete for positions that were open to current or former Federal employees. For many of the Federal positions that I was applying to, depending on the grade, location, etc., I was only eligible to use the VEOA: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/veoa); which does not apply veterans’ preference and it is not a non-competitive special hiring authority. Despite my learning curve and some of the challenges I experienced in understanding the various Federal hiring flexibilities, my SkillBridge experience equipped me with the knowledge and connections needed to secure my first Federal position through diligent effort and research.

Today, I advocate for the DoD’s SkillBridge program within the Federal Government. I work to promote SkillBridge to agencies that do not have it by assisting Federal partners in developing their programs and sharing best practices to amplify opportunities. Programs like the SkillBridge are often underutilized, yet they represent a valuable talent pipeline for Federal agencies seeking educated and qualified professionals at all levels. At the same time, I actively network with transition assistance offices, Veterans groups, and service members to highlight and promote the Federal Government as the employer of choice following uniformed military service and the SkillBridge as a critical pathway. The most significant lesson I learned was that securing a Federal position is achievable with persistence. It's not just a possibility for others—it can be your reality too! My experience also taught me that hard work and dedication can lead to success.

So, to my fellow veterans and transitioning service members, I say, "Don't quit!” Your Federal career is within reach. While there is no “silver bullet” when it comes to Federal hiring, opportunities like the SkillBridge, Warrior Training Advancement Course (WARTAC), or VA’s Non-Paid Work Experience (NPWE) Program: https://www.vaforvets.va.gov/vaforvets/veteran-resources/docs/Non-paidWorkExperience.pdf) are available to help set you up for success. It was up to me to seize them and to put forth the effort and initiative to act on these opportunities. The Federal career path is a journey requiring resilience and proactive effort. Take full advantage of the resources available to you. Engage with TAP, utilize networking opportunities, and persist in your efforts. Each step you take builds your path forward and increases your chances of success. Best of luck on your journey; you have the power to make it happen.