Your military paycheck was steady.

Healthcare was covered.

BAH helped balance the budget.

But what happens when that all changes?

Of course, finances will look different post-transition.

This can be exciting in many ways, but also takes adjusting and planning.

SkillBridge is a great opportunity to do just that!

It’s a chance to learn what you can AND take action before your separation so you are ahead of the game.

Here’s how to use your time in SkillBridge to prepare your financial future:

1 ) Save for unexpected costs

SkillBridge lets you keep full military pay while gaining hands-on experience - use this time wisely!

Our advice?

Build a solid financial buffer before you officially transition.

This means saving for unexpected costs and the gap between separation and your first full-time paycheck.

But what if saving isn’t in the budget?

Start bucketing your expenses into wants and needs. It helps to list them all.

This will make it easier to turn off unnecessary expenses if you don’t transition into full-time employment immediately.

2) Understand your healthcare options

Because you still have healthcare coverage during your SkillBridge internship, this is a great opportunity to learn about your healthcare options after transitioning.

You'll want to know your options.

Employer-sponsored healthcare can be expensive, and VA healthcare eligibility varies.

Your SkillBridge host company may offer insights into their plans, so we suggest you compare costs and benefits, check your VA eligibility, and make an informed healthcare decision before you leave active duty.

Don’t wait until after your transition to figure this one out!

Helpful Healthcare Resources:​
​📌 Check your benefits coverage on VA.gov Eligibility Tool
📌 Look intro TRICARE Transitional Assistance - some qualify for free coverage for 180 days after active duty.

3) Prepare for post-military compensation

We are all about using SkillBridge as a tool to get the best full-time offer possible.

So be aware of this: civilian paychecks don’t include non-taxable allowances (BAH, BAS, etc).

This can make a job offer look better on paper than it actually is.

If you want to maintain or raise your standard of living, you need to know what you really made in the military compared to the civilian world.

This is called your total Regular Military Compensation (RMC), and that's what you need to earn to maintain your standard of living.

Use your internship to educate yourself on salary structures, raises, and bonuses. You can talk to co-workers, HR, and other company benefits managers to learn this information.

Understanding how these things work in your civilian career will help you negotiate later on to ensure your new salary will cover your financial needs after separation.

Remember, SkillBridge isn’t just about getting a foot in the door!

It is an opportunity to educate yourself financially ahead of the transition.

By using this program strategically, you can build a safety net, ask your financial questions, and plan ahead.

The goal is to step into your civilian career with confidence.

Want more resources?

🎯🎯 Featured Jobs:

📈 Senior Financial Analyst - Salt Lake City, UT or Austin, Texas (Hybrid role). As part of the Corporate Functions team at eBay, you will play a pivotal role in the esteemed finance team, driving financial strategy and providing critical financial insight to support decision-making processes.

🤝 SkillBridge Placement Service - roles in multiple locations! Early Riser Stays has created a large and growing network of business partners from around the nation. Their goal is to place you in a meaningful internship. Their roles are not currently listed through DoD SkillBridge, so apply and hear what types of opportunities are in store for you!

🏠 Seek Now DRIVE Academy - over 100 locations nationwide. In this internship, you will have the opportunity to learn everything about inspections and property data. The goal a the end of your internship is to transition full-time, earning an average of $118K/year while gaining four industry-recognized certifications.
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See you next week!
​
Kathy + Andrew
Career PCS

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