Core4ce is supporting transitioning service members through the Department of War SkillBridge program, which provides military personnel with valuable civilian work experience during their final months of service.
For employers, SkillBridge offers access to one of the nation’s most highly trained and mission-focused talent pools. At Core4ce, the program reflects a broader commitment to supporting veterans and creating pathways into the defense and national security industries.
A Structured Fellowship in Business Management and Strategy
Core4ce’s SkillBridge opportunity is a Business Management Fellow position in a cleared environment. The 60- to 180-day program is designed for senior transitioning service members seeking to translate their military operational and staff experience into roles involving business leadership, strategy, and corporate operations.
Through training and mentorship, fellows learn to develop business cases, support executive decision-making, assess business-unit financial performance, interpret Salesforce pipeline data, and coordinate input from finance, operations, human resources, contracts, and growth teams.
The fellowship culminates in a capstone business case and executive outbrief, giving fellows an opportunity to demonstrate the skills they developed throughout the program.
Each fellow is assigned a Core4ce manager and receives direct mentorship, just like any other employee. The fellowship is led by Chief Strategy Officer and fellow veteran Dave Ross, who understands the opportunities and challenges of transitioning from military service.
“Programs like SkillBridge give service members leaving active duty a chance to apply their experience in a new context, build confidence in the business environment, and continue serving in meaningful ways,” Ross said.
Ross leads weekly check-ins and milestone reviews focused on professional development and practical skill-building.
Creating Value for Fellows and Core4ce
The SkillBridge program benefits both transitioning service members and the teams they join. By connecting with highly qualified service members early in their transition to civilian careers, Core4ce strengthens its veteran hiring efforts while gaining new perspectives shaped by military experience.
“SkillBridge strengthens our talent pipeline and supports veteran hiring by bringing in individuals whose military experience offers valuable perspectives, leadership, and problem-solving skills,” said Danielle Greer, Talent Acquisition Lead.
Most recently, Core4ce welcomed Paul Norris as a SkillBridge fellow as he completed 20 years of service with the United States Air Force.
Ken Phillips, ACS Business Development Executive and Norris’s supervisor, said Norris brought relevant, firsthand insight to the team’s customer engagement efforts.
“He served as an honest broker and challenged our customer engagement assumptions,” Phillips said.
Norris also contributed to account planning and pursuit strategy while gaining insight into the defense industry and preparing for his transition to civilian work.
“His professionalism and thoroughness helped us build stronger account plans and strategize effectively on key pursuits,” Phillips said. “We were proud to help him transition from a career Air Force officer to his next chapter with greater insight into the defense industry and business strategy.”
Currently, Core4ce is pleased to have Robert Thelen supporting the team as a SkillBridge fellow. Thelen brings more than two decades of experience in national security and influence operations.
Investing in Transition, Leadership, and Mission Success
As Core4ce continues to grow, the SkillBridge fellowship represents an investment in both people and mission. By helping transitioning service members apply their leadership and operational expertise in a civilian business environment, Core4ce is supporting military transition while strengthening its ability to serve customers across the defense and national security sectors.