About SkillBridge 

The DOD SkillBridge program is an opportunity for service members to gain valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the last 180 days of service. DOD SkillBridge connects transitioning service members with industry partners in real-world job experiences.

 

For service members, DOD SkillBridge provides an invaluable chance to work and learn in civilian career areas. For industry partners, DOD SkillBridge is an opportunity to access and leverage the world's most highly trained and motivated workforce at no cost. Service members participating in DOD SkillBridge programs continue receiving their military compensation and benefits, while industry partners provide the civilian training and work experience.

 

Installation and unit commanders who have members about to transition from active duty, bridge the gap between their service members' end of service and the beginning of their civilian careers with the DOD SkillBridge participation. Commanders ease this military-to-civilian transition period for their members when they permit SkillBridge participation with trusted employers.

 

Service members can be granted up to 180 days of permissive duty to focus solely on training full-time with approved industry partners after their chain of command, field grade commander, provides written authorization and approval. These industry partners offer real-world training and in-demand work experience while having the opportunity to evaluate the service member's suitability for future employment.

 

To apply, please submit the requested information to the link provided here. 

​

Job Description

• Advise clients to improve their understanding of complex national and international security issues. 

• The ideal candidate will be an energetic, detail-oriented professional who is interested in national security and comfortable operating in a fast-moving team-based environment. 

• Candidates should have excellent writing skills and be proficient in drafting background papers and presentations. 

• This is a client facing role that requires exceptional communication skills and ability to learn and synthesize complex information quickly and effectively.

​

Responsibilities

• Serve on a client-facing team. The firm has clients of various sizes across a wide variety of industries. Fellows are expected to quickly understand the priorities of each client and the nature of the firm’s work.

• Research assigned topics and develop materials in support of client interactions. Must be able to understand specific and implied tasks, conduct independent research on cross functional topics, develop materials for internal and external use, and identify and communicate issues and potential solutions. 

• Assist with business development opportunities, including identification of potential clients as well as market research and analysis. 

• Assist in producing weekly, monthly and annual summaries for clients on topics of interest and firm activity. Coordinate and execute events and meetings in support of the firm and clients. 

• Develop and maintain a professional network within the national and international security ecosystem. 

• Support the execution of events for the Pallas Foundation, the firm’s non-profit dedicated to advancing and developing the next generation of national security leaders. 

• Conduct initial due diligence on potential investment opportunities in support of the firm's venture capital arm, Pallas Ventures. 

• Perform other professionally appropriate assigned tasks as required. 

• Contribute in a meaningful, substantive way to national security.

 

Qualifications

• At least two years of relevant work experience. 

• Work in military, government, public policy consulting, emerging technology, marketing, or communications, or other relevant national security experience is a plus.

• Knowledge of and passion for national security. 

• Willingness to continuously learn and push outside of one’s comfort zone.

 

Professional Development

1. Leadership Professional Development (LPD) Series: The LPD series consists of regular programming of introductory briefs on topics relevant to national security, emerging technology, consulting, finance, & related industries. These 30-45 minute briefs are conducted by senior leaders at Pallas Advisors, as well as the Pallas network as a whole. They are scheduled with regularity throughout the program, and topics include, but are not limited to, DoD 101, Wall Street 101, Federal Innovation Ecosystem, The National Defense Strategy (NDS), The Budget and PPBE Process, Mgmt Consulting 101, COCOMs 101, The 4th Industrial Revolution and more.

2. Fireside Chat Series: The Fireside chat series consists of regularly scheduled opportunities for the Skillbridge participants to engage with senior leaders in a small group setting, to solidify career and leadership lessons, as well as provide an opportunity for professional development and networking. 

3. Direct mentorship: The candidate will be paired with a Director who has 18-20+ years of experience, and will conduct an hour of direct mentorship per week to map specific objectives, discuss professional development, and assess performance. 

4. Specific Goals for the Fellowship:

   • Develop strategic thinking. 

     • Policy paper. Candidate will select an emerging technology area to research, select a position (recommendation for a DoD innovation office), and write a policy recommendation. This paper may be submitted for publication.

     • SASC hearing murderboard. Candidate will assist in the research and preparation for a COCOM congressional hearing murderboard.

   • Learn strategic advisory and consulting.

     • Client meetings. Candidate will observe and participate in Client meetings on a regular basis.

     • Candidate will learn and use the Pallas methodology to assist clients.

   • Exposure to the full National Security ecosystem.

     • Candidate will become familiar with the National Security ecosystem to include: the Department of Defense (and all services); Combatant Commands; Administration; the Hill; Think Tanks; former senior officials; media; companies; trade associations; national security investors; and the international community.

   • Exposure to the dual-use Venture Capital ecosystem.

     • Understanding of start-up and mid-sized emerging technology companies and the various roles within (government sales; government relations; company executives; C-suite.

     • Introduction to the national security venture capital network.