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Check out the latest Staffmark timely articles, news, and stay informed about our latest innovations, awards, service lines, and more.
News + Events
Check out the latest Staffmark timely articles, news, and stay informed about our latest innovations, awards, service lines, and more.
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Cincinnati, OH, November 7, 2025
An Inside Look at SkillBridge with Staffmark
A Pathway from Military Service to Civilian Career Success
By Matt McGowan, Director of Social Impact, Staffmark Group
Every year, more than 200,000 U.S. service members take off the uniform for the last time, stepping into a civilian world that can feel both exciting and uncertain. They bring with them unparalleled discipline, training, and adaptability but often face the challenge of translating their activity duty skills into civilian careers.
That is where the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program steps in. Designed for service members in their final 180 days of active duty, SkillBridge offers real-world training, apprenticeships, and internships with approved industry partners. Participants continue receiving their military pay and benefits while gaining hands-on experience in civilian workplaces. It is an opportunity that benefits both the service member and the employer.
For Staffmark Group, a proud SkillBridge partner, this program has been a powerful avenue for connecting skilled, mission-driven veterans with meaningful careers. Staffmark has hired 32 veterans internally through SkillBridge and placed many more at client organizations, helping ease the transition between military and civilian life while enriching workplaces with outstanding new hires.
Bridging Two Worlds
For many veterans, leaving the structure and identity of military life can be one of the most difficult parts of the transition. The SkillBridge program gives them the time, space, and support to discover who they are and what they want to do outside of their military identities.
Olsen Betron, a 20-year Air Force veteran and now Community Impact Manager at Staffmark Group, shared how crucial that time was for both him and his family.
“The DoD SkillBridge program was an enormous help in transitioning, not just for me but for my family,” Betron said. “It gave us the opportunity to work remotely with a great team while catching up on lost time with loved ones after so many deployments.”
Lakisha Croley, who served 23 years in the Air Force before joining Staffmark as an Employee Relations Specialist, echoed that sentiment.
“It helped me adjust to the simple things, like hearing just my first name again instead of my rank,” Croley reflected. “After more than two decades in uniform, that kind of change can be emotional. The program gave me space to get used to civilian life while I was still technically active duty. It helped me find peace of mind and confidence before fully stepping into my new chapter.”
For both Betron and Croley, SkillBridge was more than professional training. It was a bridge between two worlds. It allowed them to reconnect with family, rediscover their civilian identity, and gain a sense of belonging that made the next phase of their careers not just possible but deeply fulfilling.
Translating Military Skills into Civilian Success
Service members leave the military with an impressive range of skills and experiences. Through SkillBridge, they can translate those strengths into civilian career paths where their knowledge and experience are highly valued.
Richard Ward, who served more than 12 years in the Army as a medic, found that SkillBridge helped him understand the kind of environment where he could thrive.
“It helped me understand what to expect while transitioning out of the uniform and realize the skills I was bringing with me,” Ward explained. “That understanding alleviated stress and gave me confidence in what I could offer.”
Today, as an Organizational Development Manager at Staffmark Group, Ward applies his experience leading teams in high-pressure environments.
“The ability to handle fast-paced, ever-changing situations and to work with diverse individuals has been invaluable,” he said. “Those experiences help me navigate challenges every day, whether I’m working with internal teams, clients, or talent.”
Amber Mullen, an Employee Relations Specialist and Air Force veteran, shared a similar story. She entered the SkillBridge program looking for experience to add to her resume and found a career she loves.
“It opened the door to a wonderful career opportunity,” Mullen said. “SkillBridge helped me build confidence and find my footing outside of the military. The investigative and communication skills I learned as a law enforcement specialist translated perfectly into my HR role. It was rewarding to see how my experiences carried over into something new.”
For many participants, SkillBridge is what reveals the connection between military experience and civilian potential. It allows veterans to see how their service-developed strengths can have impact in business and their communities.
Purpose Beyond the Program
For some veterans, SkillBridge is a first step toward a lasting career with Staffmark Group. The program helps them test new skills, explore different roles, and find a sense of direction.
Kayla Cole, an Air Force veteran who now works as an Onsite Manager, described SkillBridge as the foundation for her career growth.
“The program is amazing, no matter how long you’ve been in the military,” Cole said. “It lets you experience civilian jobs before you have to fully support yourself, which makes the transition so much easier. It really cemented my career entirely.”
Cole started her journey with Staffmark through SkillBridge as an intern at a client site. That experience led directly to full-time employment.
“I began as an intern, then became an onsite supervisor, and now I’m an onsite manager,” she explained. “I don’t think any of that would have been possible without SkillBridge.”
For Betron, Ward, Mullen, Croley, and Cole, the common thread is opportunity. Each used the program to explore new paths and find professional purpose in helping others succeed.
“My advice to other service members is to do it as soon as you can,” Betron said. “Stop worrying about leaving your team behind and take the opportunity to establish your new identity. The mission will continue without you, but your transition deserves attention and care.”
Staffmark’s Ongoing Commitment to Veterans
At Staffmark Group, the partnership with the DOD SkillBridge program represents more than recruitment. It reflects a commitment to helping veterans find meaningful work where they can continue serving in new ways.
Beyond the numbers hired, Staffmark has built a community of veterans who continue to support one another and bring the values of service, integrity, and teamwork into their roles and to our entire company.
As Richard Ward put it, “SkillBridge helped me realize my future is my own. It showed me that I can keep pursuing what I’m passionate about, even outside the uniform. That passion for growth and helping others is what drives me every day.”
Excellent Travels in Both Directions with SkillBridge
The DOD designed SkillBridge to make the transition from military to civilian life smoother, but its impact goes far beyond the individual. Employers gain access to dedicated, skilled professionals who have spent their careers mastering discipline, teamwork, and adaptability in high stress and complex environments. Veterans gain the confidence and clarity to start a new chapter and filled with possibility.
For Staffmark Group, supporting service members through SkillBridge is both a privilege and a promise. Every veteran who joins our team strengthens our culture, our purpose, and our belief in what people can achieve when given the chance to grow.
To learn more about how Staffmark supports veterans across the country, visit https://smgroupna.com/operation-hired/.
About Matt McGowan:
Matt McGowan is the Director of Social Impact for Staffmark Group and RGF Connect. An Army veteran, Matt helped start SMG’s “Operation: Hired” military + veteran hiring program and was the inaugural Chair of the SMG Military Alliance Business Resources Group.
