Service members participating in the Army Career Skills Program (SkillBridge) while on Permissive Temporary Duty (PTDY) must be aware of specific guidelines regarding gifts and reimbursements from industry partners. Understanding these rules is crucial to maintain ethical standards and compliance within the program.
Generally, service members are prohibited from accepting gifts directly from SkillBridge industry partners. This is a standard practice to avoid any perceived conflict of interest or undue influence. However, there are exceptions specifically designed to support service member participation in valuable training opportunities.
SkillBridge providers have the option to subsidize or reimburse certain costs associated with program participation. These allowable reimbursements can include subsistence, lodging, and travel expenses from the service member’s home station to the program location. Crucially, for a service member to accept such reimbursement, it must be offered universally to all participants in the training program, regardless of their military affiliation. This ensures fairness and equal opportunity within the SkillBridge program. This offer must also be clearly and explicitly stated by the SkillBridge provider within their program application.
Consider these examples to clarify the policy:
Example 1: Internship Program with Universal Benefits
Imagine a service member undertaking a SkillBridge internship with “Company X” while on PTDY. This internship also includes civilian participants. If Company X provides airfare and accommodation/meal coverage for all interns, including the service member, then the service member is authorized to accept this offer. The key is that the benefit is extended to everyone, not just military personnel.
Example 2: Interview Travel Expenses – Not Permitted
Conversely, suppose towards the end of the same SkillBridge internship, Company X invites the service member for an interview at their headquarters in another state and offers to cover travel expenses. However, if civilian interns are not offered the same interview travel benefits, then the service member is NOT allowed to accept the travel expense reimbursement from Company X. This is because the benefit is not being offered universally to all internship participants.
Before accepting any offer of gifts or benefits, service members and their Chain of Command are strongly advised to consult with their servicing Legal Office. This proactive step ensures full compliance and clarity in specific situations. Further details can be found in the SkillBridge Program Participant Ethics Brief available in the Resources section for comprehensive guidance. Adhering to these guidelines ensures the integrity and ethical operation of the Army Career Skills Program.
