Photo By Anthony Small | Retired Air Force Master Sergeant. Matthew Nichols' recent fellowship at the Defense...... read more read more
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FORT BELVOIR, Va. — As he prepared for retirement from military service, Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Nichols sought an opportunity to continue serving while gaining civilian workforce experience. Through the Department of War SkillBridge program, he completed a five-month fellowship with Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy Quality Technical Directorate from May to September 2025.
Nichols was one of two first-time participants selected for the fellowship. During his rotation, he contributed to policy development efforts and supported initiatives related to bulk fuels quality assurance. His experience included participation in working groups tasked with revising the Department of War standard practice for quality assurance of bulk fuels and related products, Military Standard 3004-1.
Prior to his fellowship, Nichols served as superintendent of the Fuels Technical Training Schoolhouse with the 364th Training Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. His background in fuels training and operational leadership provided a strong foundation for the technical and policy-focused work at DLA Energy.
The DoW SkillBridge program allows service members to gain civilian work experience during the final 180 days of military service through industry training, apprenticeships and internships. For agencies such as DLA Energy, the program also serves as a workforce development tool.
Mark Mizrahi, chief of the Quality Policy and Training Division within DLA Energy Quality Technical Directorate, described SkillBridge as more than a transition mechanism. “The DoW SkillBridge program is more than a transition tool — it’s a strategic human capital pipeline,” Mizrahi said.
“For highly specialized roles like quality assurance specialist, where petroleum quality and technical expertise are essential and hard to source, the program allows us to identify, train and recruit transitioning military professionals who already bring a strong foundation to the workplace.”
Nichols said he learned about the program through the Transition Assistance Program and a retired military colleague at DLA Energy. He said the opportunity aligned with his desire to continue supporting warfighters after retirement.
“After my retirement from the military, I still wanted to serve my country by aiding warfighters around the world, which made the SkillBridge program a good fit for my goals,” Nichols said.
During his fellowship, Nichols said he gained a deeper understanding of how DLA Energy’s Quality Technical Directorate supports Department of War operations and collaborates across the agency. He also said mentorship from retired service members now employed at DLA Energy helped ease the stress associated with transition.
As he moves into the civilian sector, Nichols said he plans to leverage his SkillBridge experience to strengthen his resume and pursue future opportunities within DLA Energy.
Leaders within the directorate praised his professionalism and ability to adapt to headquarters-level operations, noting his contributions to policy refinement and training initiatives during the fellowship.
DoW SkillBridge continues to provide transitioning service members with structured pathways to civilian employment while supporting agency mission readiness beyond service.
For more information on SkillBridge, visit https://skillbridge.osd.mil.
This story was adapted from “SkillBridge Program: Service Member Gains Experience with DLA Energy Quality Technical Directorate,” by Kathryn Pegram, originally published by Defense Logistics Agency Energy.
| Date Taken: | 03.24.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 03.25.2026 08:24 |
| Story ID: | 561196 |
| Location: | ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Beyond Service: Air Force Master Sgt. Gains Policy and Quality Experience Through DoW SkillBridge with DLA Energy, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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