​L-R: Sean Morrone, James Adams, Takeshi Ei​, Brian Brodie, Ray Ryan, Dave Roberts and John Seguin.

Brian Brodie and Matthew Hoopes are spending their final months as active service members at Electric Boat (EB) through DOD SkillBridge, a Department of Defense (DOD) program established to ensure the ease of transition to civilian life for service members. DOD SkillBridge connects men and women in uniform with approved industry partners, providing them the opportunity to obtain civilian work experience for up to 180 days before exiting the service. Participants work a 40-hour work week while maintaining their full DOD salary and benefits, allowing them to focus on gaining valuable experience to kick-start their civilian careers after service. Over 50,000 service members have benefited from DOD SkillBridge since the program’s pilot in 2011.

EB began partnership with DOD SkillBridge just this year, and already has six candidates slotted for participation in 2024. Brian and Matthew are the first two candidates to start their programs with us on April 25, and both are looking forward to serving on the EB team. “It’s a big day, it’s a great program and it’s a great opportunity,” said Brian, who is enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a lead petty officer on the USS Indiana. He will be working as a test engineer for submarine electrical systems and components—something he’s all too familiar with as a submariner.

Matthew, an avionics technician in the U.S. Airforce, will be completing the program in the ship test organization, or STO. Originally from Connecticut, Matthew has been stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and flew back just this Wednesday, April 23, to start the program. “When I found out Electric Boat had the SkillBridge opportunity, I was excited to be back around family.”

L-R: Anna Leigh, Sean Morrone, Emil Casciano, Matthew Hoopes, Ray Ryan, Alexandrea Weber and Amanda Hillegas-Gaccione.

EB is just as excited for this new partnership, which is connecting us with military talent who have extensive experience, skills, expertise, and most importantly, a shared understanding of the importance of our mission as shipbuilders. Each and every EB employee serves their country on a daily basis through shipbuilding excellence, and we employ thousands of veterans who bring with them the same dedication to service. “This program provides our company with top military talent, and at the same time, helps our transitioning service members into a civilian career,” said Ray Ryan, EB’s veteran and military recruiter. “I’m excited to help ensure this partnership with DOD SkillBridge is successful, and I want to thank all my fellow coworkers in staffing (D647). Working together as team made this happen.”

Transitioning service members who successfully complete DOD SkillBridge and meet all necessary requirements are eligible to receive a full-time offer to work at Electric Boat at the end of their program. Although his program has just begun, Brian has already accepted an offer to join EB full time at the conclusion of DOD SkillBridge.

Welcome aboard to Brian and Matthew, and congratulations on this exciting opportunity. We wish you the best of luck throughout this experience and are glad to have you on the team. EB looks forward to welcoming our additional 2024 SkillBridge participants later this year.

To learn more about DOD SkillBridge at Electric Boat, please reach out to Ray Ryan.

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