Begin Your Civilian Transition With Purpose.
Strategic Solutions Unlimited (SSU) hosts an on-site SkillBridge fellowship in Fayetteville, North Carolina, for active-duty service members in their final 180 days of service. Each fellow receives a training plan built around their own qualifications, so the experience you bring from service carries straight into civilian work.
A Transition Fellowship Built for Service Members
DoW SkillBridge lets eligible service members gain civilian work experience during their last months of active duty. At SSU, that time is structured around you: your background, your goals, and the skills you'll need in your next role.
Professional Experience
Work in a civilian professional environment and learn how your military skills apply to real day-to-day work.
Mentorship & Guidance
Learn from experienced professionals who understand operational discipline, mission requirements, and the realities of transition.
Career-Focused Training
Follow a training plan developed around your qualifications, so the time you spend here builds toward your next career step.
What to Expect
The essentials for you and your command, all in one place.
On-Site in Fayetteville, NC
The fellowship is conducted in person at SSU in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Flexible
Length and schedule depend on your command's approval and your branch's SkillBridge regulations, up to your final 180 days of service.
Built Around You
SSU develops an individual training plan for each fellow based on their qualifications, experience, and career goals. Your command can review it as part of the approval process.
Unpaid by SSU, Military Pay Continues
Under DoW regulations, SkillBridge fellowships are unpaid by the host organization. You continue to receive your military pay, allowances, and benefits throughout.
Transition Support From People Who Understand the Mission
A good transition program does more than fill time. It gives you relevant experience, a clear picture of civilian professional expectations, and confidence going into your next role.
Program Benefits
- Civilian work experience during your final months of active duty
- Professional mentorship in a mission-oriented environment
- A training plan matched to your qualifications
- Hands-on exposure to civilian workplace communication and collaboration
What Fellows Gain
- Confidence working in a civilian professional environment
- Experience that strengthens your resume and transition planning
- Practical skills aligned with your post-service career goals
- A culture that respects military experience and service
Who Should Apply
To participate, you'll need to meet the DoW SkillBridge requirements, your branch's requirements, and SSU's security clearance requirement.
Active Duty, Within 180 Days
You must be an active-duty service member within 180 days of separation or retirement.
Command Approval
You need approval from your command under your branch's SkillBridge policy. Each branch sets its own approval level and transition requirements, so check with your transition office early.
Security Clearance
A security clearance is required to participate in the SSU fellowship.
How to Get Started
Four steps from first contact to your first day. Start early: command approval and branch paperwork take time.
Confirm Your Fit
Check your separation date, clearance, and your branch's SkillBridge and transition requirements.
Contact SSU
Send us your background, clearance status, and transition timeline so we can discuss fit.
Get Command Approval
SSU develops your training plan, and you submit your SkillBridge request through your chain of command.
Start Your Fellowship
Once approved, we confirm your start date and schedule and complete onboarding in Fayetteville.
Candidate Questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most. If yours isn't here, email us.
Who is eligible for the SSU SkillBridge fellowship?
Active-duty service members within 180 days of separation who have approval from their command under their branch's SkillBridge policy and who hold a security clearance.
Is the fellowship paid?
Under DoW SkillBridge rules, SSU does not pay a salary or stipend. You continue to receive your military pay, allowances, and benefits throughout the fellowship.
How long is the fellowship?
Length and schedule are flexible. They are set by your command's approval and your branch's SkillBridge regulations.
Where is the fellowship located?
The fellowship is on-site in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
What will I work on?
SSU develops an individual training plan for each fellow based on their qualifications, experience, and career goals.
When should I contact SSU?
As early as possible. Command approval and branch transition requirements take time, so reaching out before your 180-day window opens helps align your start date.
Plan Your Transition With SSU
Interested in the SSU SkillBridge fellowship? Email us with your branch, separation date, clearance status, and background, and we'll follow up to talk about fit and next steps.
Strategic Solutions Unlimited, Inc. participates in the DoW SkillBridge program. Participation does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or any Military Department. Eligibility, approval, and program length are determined by each service member's command and branch policy. Learn more at https://skillbridge.mil/.
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