202/26 - JUL 2026 SKILLBRIDGE PROGRAM UPDATES FOR THE COAST GUARD

R 021348Z JUL 26  MID120041359780U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 202/26
SSIC 1040
SUBJ: SKILLBRIDGE PROGRAM UPDATES FOR THE COAST GUARD
A. Transition of Service Members with Job Training Opportunities and
Employment Skills Under [the Department of War (DoW)] SkillBridge
Voluntary Employment Skills Training Program, COMDTINST 1040.7
B. 37 U.S. Code § 501 - Payments for unused accrued leave
1. This ALCOAST provides a summary of recent changes to the Coast
Guard SkillBridge Program established in REF (A).
2. Key Changes to Program Administration.
    a. Duty status during SkillBridge: Commands will place
participating members in a permissive Temporary Duty (TDY) status.
    b. Members participating in SkillBridge must submit SkillBridge
TDY requests via Direct Access. Participation may not exceed
180 days. A dedicated tracking option is now available under
non-chargeable leave for SkillBridge permissive TDY Orders.
3. Guidance on Leave and Separation.
    a. Leave Usage. Members may expend their full remaining leave
balance before beginning SkillBridge if authorized by their Command.
Any leave taken during SkillBridge participation, however, must
shorten the duration of SkillBridge participation by an equal
duration.
        (1) Example, if a member wishes to take 10 days of leave
during a 180 day SkillBridge program, the SkillBridge
participation must be reduced by 10 days for a total of 170 days.
    b. Leave carry-over waivers will not be approved.
    c. Service members may sell back leave as allowable by REF (B).
    d. Separation Date. Amending an approved separation date for
program participants is not authorized. Members may not extend
beyond their separation date to use leave.
4. Application Requirements.
    a. Officer. The application memorandum must include the approved
separation document from OPM with separation date as an attachment.
This documentation provides the CO/OIC with the participant's
approved separation date and anticipated characterization of
service.
    b. Enlisted. The applications memorandum must include a statement
of service provided by a members Personnel & Administration Office.
This documentation provides the CO/OIC with the participant's
approved separation date and anticipated characterization of
service. Members must submit Career Intention Worksheets 120 days
from anticipated end of enlistment (EOE).
5. Mandatory Program Requirements. Participation in the Transition
Assistance Program (TAP) is required. Members must start the TAP no
later than 365 days prior to separation.
6. REF (A) will be updated per internal controls requirements.
7. POC: Rodney Whaley; Transition, Relocation and Spouse Employment
Assistance Program Manager; at Rodney.B.Whaley@uscg.mil.
8. Ms. Blanca Sanchez, SES, Assistant Commandant for Workforce
and Family Services (CG-WFS), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.