Service members participating in career skills programs, often guided by AFI (Air Force Instruction) or similar regulations across different military branches, must be aware of gift acceptance protocols from industry partners. A general rule dictates that service members cannot accept gifts from SkillBridge industry partners. However, exceptions exist under specific conditions to ensure fairness and equal opportunity within these career skills programs.
SkillBridge providers have the discretion to subsidize or reimburse costs associated with subsistence, lodging, and travel between a service member’s home station and the program location. This financial support is permissible if it is offered universally to all participants in similar training, irrespective of their military affiliation. Crucially, this must be explicitly and transparently stated by the SkillBridge provider in their application. This ensures that no preferential treatment is given to service members, aligning with ethical guidelines and maintaining the integrity of the career transition program.
For instance, consider a service member engaging in a SkillBridge internship with “Company X” while on permissive TDY. This internship program also includes civilians from the general public. If Company X extends an offer to cover airfare and lodging/meals for all interns, including service members and civilians, then the service member is authorized to accept this offer. This scenario exemplifies equitable treatment, where benefits are not exclusive to military personnel but are available to all participants of the career skills program.
Conversely, a situation may arise near the conclusion of a SkillBridge internship where a service member is invited for an interview at Company X’s headquarters in another state. If Company X offers to cover interview travel expenses for the service member but does not extend the same offer to civilian interns also invited for interviews, then the service member is prohibited from accepting the travel expense reimbursement. This is because the benefit is not offered universally to all interview invitees, creating a disparity based on military status, which is not permissible under the guidelines.
It is paramount that service members and their Chain of Command engage in open communication with their servicing Legal Office to discuss the specifics of any gift or benefit offer. This proactive approach ensures compliance with ethical standards and regulations. For further detailed information, service members are encouraged to consult resources such as the SkillBridge Program Participant Ethics Brief available within the Resources section, which provides comprehensive guidance on navigating these ethical considerations within career skills programs. By adhering to these guidelines and seeking appropriate counsel, service members can confidently participate in SkillBridge and other career skills programs while upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct.
