A translation of SkillBridge NAVADMIN 064/23

Did you know I was a linguist in the Navy? It was my job to translate comms in foreign languages for decision makers.

In response to my post about the Navy's new restrictions on SkillBridge, some people have mentioned that they don't actually see anything wrong with the new NAVADMIN. I haven't run all the numbers, but at first glance they all seem to be people who don't speak Navy ??

So without further ado, let’s chat about what the most recent SkillBridge NAVADMIN really means.

First of all, we should understand that the intended audience for this message is Commanding Officers (COs). Although anyone can read it and understand how some of the guidance immediately affects them, it is primarily a message from Big Navy to COs and the overall tone is: SkillBridge is not encouraged and you shouldn’t be approving it. In turn, the expectation is that COs repeat and amplify this messaging to their commands.

(Snippets added for reference, please follow along with your own copy of the NAVADMIN if you're not familiar with the wording)

Translation:

1.  This NAVADMIN message updates SkillBridge registration procedures to 
be conducted within the new SkillBridge application portal.  It additionally 
institutes new policy controls.  Reference (a) remains in full effect except 
as modified below.        

"We now have two NAVADMINs by which we have promulgated policy that should have been documented in an actual OPNAVINST or MILPERSMAN by now (NAVADMINs are short-term guidance meant to convey information quickly until formal instructions (OPNAVINSTs) or policies/procedures (MILPERSMAN) can be created or updated.). We honestly thought SkillBridge would have been sundowned by now lol"?

2.  Policy and procedure changes in this NAVADMIN are effective immediately 
for all new SkillBridge applicants.  In line with reference (a), Sailors with 
prior command approval are grandfathered and may start or continue their 
SkillBridge program as approved by their command.  Sailors without command 
approval must reapply under the guidelines of this message.        

"We dgaf about sailors who have been dutifully planning their separation/retirement for months or the fact that if you have been slow-rolling their requests for approval you have totally screwed them. We are completely ignorant of the impact that this paragraph will have on sailor mental health, employment outcomes, and family stability and kinda dgaf."

3.  From this point forward, Sailors desiring to participate in SkillBridge 
must register and apply for SkillBridge approval using the application portal 
via MyNavy Education at https://myeducation.netc.navy.mil/.  E-mail 
registrations are no longer being accepted.  Application portal instructions 
can be found at  
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Transition/SkillBridge/.        

"We are finally getting around to implementing a mechanism that makes it possible for us to accurately track approvals/disapprovals so that we as a service can comply with DOD reporting requirements set forth in 2015"

4.  SkillBridge is intended to provide transition assistance and skill 
development for Service members leaving the Navy.  However, it is not an 
entitlement and participation does impact readiness.  As such, the time 
allowed for program participation is now based on paygrade.  If approved, 
SkillBridge must occur prior to any terminal leave or permissive temporary 
duty associated with separation, fleet reserve, or retirement.  The following 
limits indicate the maximum amount of time prior to the actual separation, 
fleet reserve, or retirement date that SkillBridge participation can 
commence. 
    a.  Tier one (enlisted E5 and below) - 180 days or less. 
    b.  Tier two (enlisted E6-E9) - 120 days or less. 
    c.  Tier three (officers O4 and below) - 120 days or less. 
    d.  Tier four (officers O5 and above) - 90 days or less.        

"We are limiting your ability as a CO to treat your command members equally regardless of paygrade when it comes to recognizing that everyone leaving the military is a human being with their own unique challenges that you will most likely never be aware of. This is a net loss for every paygrade except junior enlisted. And while we are recognizing that junior enlisted are the most likely to get the shaft from you, you can still have our support to go ahead and give them the shaft but at least this way they can hold on to some false hope and we can all gaslight them with "but the NAVADMIN is great for you!"."

5.  SkillBridge applications for tier four personnel shall not be approved if 
participation would result in a gapped billet. Additionally, tier four 
applicants now require positive endorsement from the Director, Military 
Personnel Plans and Policy (OPNAV N13) before they can begin 
SkillBridge.  Commanding officers (CO) must certify in any approval for tier 
four applicants that SkillBridge participation will not result in a gap.  The 
Office of the Chief of Naval Personnel (OPNAV) SkillBridge registrar will 
forward command-approved requests for tier four personnel to OPNAV N13.  The 
registrar will then notify applicants of OPNAV N13's decision.        

"CDRs or above - just don’t even effing think about it. You signed away your rights to be a human being when you submitted your command package lol"

6.  Personnel who have received service-funded education, to include tuition 
assistance, under-graduate and post-graduate education, will not be permitted 
to start SkillBridge until all obligated service for that education is 
complete.        

"Since we already said personnel can’t extend their separation/retirement date just to accommodate SB, if anyone has taken any initiative to improve themselves during their career the way we kept telling them to every time a promotion board convened, no SkillBridge for them. (P.S. We are not sure if this includes COOL, which we changed the eligibility requirements for a few years ago so that enlisted could use it while on SkillBridge the way other services can but it certainly is a paradox amiright?)."?

7.  Officers must fulfill their minimum service requirement for commissioning 
prior to starting SkillBridge. 
 
8.  Officers serving under a retention bonus will not be permitted to start 
SkillBridge until the service obligation for that bonus is complete.        

"Officer lived up to the commitment they made when they signed up or stayed longer because we really really needed them? No SkillBridge for them."

9.  COs should consider whether allowing SkillBridge participation by Sailors 
in receipt of skill or billet-based special and incentive pays would 
negatively impact mission readiness.  In line with reference (a), COs are 
always fully authorized to deny or curtail SkillBridge requests in light of 
mission readiness impacts.        

"As usual, your most technically skilled, hard-to-recruit, most essential people should bear the brunt as individuals of the “competence punishment”. And if you dare to treat any of these people as a human being worthy of an equally supported military transition absolutely do not come to us asking for fills for your billets. Ever. Also if you just don't want to approve someone because you don't feel like it here's your reminder that you can just call it Mission Readiness lol"

10.  Sailors who relinquish an overseas housing allowance or overseas 
military housing to return to the continental United States for SkillBridge 
participation are not currently eligible for a housing allowance in line with 
reference (b).  This is a recognized gap that OPNAV is actively working with 
the Department of Defense in order to develop a solution.        

"This is messed up, right? We’ve known it for years, and it’ll probably be years before we implement a solution. In the meantime we are offering no workaround for sailors affected."

Of course this is written with sarcasm and cynicism and a bit of dramatic effect but it’s also accurate. There are so many more layers to unpack here. Can I get a QC? If you speak Navy too, I’d love to hear your translation!