Better Data Tracking, Analysis Would Help Military Transition Program: GAO
A program that helps members of the U.S. military transition into the civilian workforce could be improved, if the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were more efficient at collecting and analyzing data.
That’s the conclusion of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) analysis of the SkillBridge program. The GAO review of SkillBridge was ordered by Congress under the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
GAO noted that almost 12,000 service members participated in SkillBridge in the first half of fiscal year 2024. The program provides industry training, apprenticeships, and other job opportunities to military members in the last six months of their service.
However, GAO found that DOD and DHS are dropping the ball on tracking and analyzing data on the program’s effectiveness. GAO noted that tracking procedures vary between the different branches of the military and that there is no department-level analysis.
“Moreover, none of the military services have conducted a comprehensive analysis of SkillBridge program data to ascertain if the program is meeting the needs of its service members,” stated the report.
For instance, the Army started to standardize its data collection in May 2023. The Navy, Air Force, and Space Force collect data but pull that data from separate sources. Coast Guard officials say their SkillBridge program office is not resourced to track and analyze data.
“GAO says the “ad hoc data collection” means the “military services are unable to assess if the SkillBridge program is meeting service members' needs and are also unable to formulate corrective action plans to address any identified issues or challenges.”
In addition, the report noted that lack of data collection can also lead to insufficient oversight of the program.
Recommendations
GAO made six recommendations to DOD and one to DHS.
They include updated SkillBridge program guidance to include what types of program data should be tracked, reporting data to the Military-Civilian Transition Office, and for the Coast Guard to systematically collect and analyze program data.
