Photo By Anthony Small | U.S. Army retired Maj. Charles Viney is featured in the Military-Civilian Transition...... read more read more
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As he prepared to transition from military service, Charles Viney knew he wanted to continue serving in a mission-driven role. Through the Department of War (DoW) SkillBridge program, he found a pathway to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Viney participated in SkillBridge with CBP#_msocom_1 , gaining firsthand experience inside the agency before separating from active duty. The program allowed him to apply the leadership, discipline, and operational mindset developed in uniform to a federal civilian environment.
Reflecting on his transition, Viney said the experience helped him see how his military background aligned with CBP’s mission.
“Trading camouflage for a CBP calling felt like a natural transition,” Viney said in the original CBP feature. “The mission to protect our borders and serve our country doesn’t change — the uniform just does.”
SkillBridge provides transitioning service members the opportunity to gain civilian work experience during the final 180 days of military service through approved training, apprenticeships and internships. For federal agencies such as CBP, the program also serves as a strategic recruitment pipeline, offering early access to experienced military talent.
During his internship in the Emergency Management Division, Viney gained exposure to CBP’s operational tempo, workforce expectations, and career pathways. The immersive experience allowed him to demonstrate his work ethic and professionalism over time, rather than through a traditional application process.
“The SkillBridge program gave me the opportunity to prove myself and understand the agency from the inside,” Viney said. “It reinforced that this was the right next step for me.”
Officials have noted that SkillBridge creates mutual benefit — helping service members prepare for civilian careers while strengthening agencies with professionals grounded in accountability, teamwork, and mission focus.
Viney said the transition was not about leaving service behind, but about continuing it in a new capacity.
“I still wanted to serve,” he said. “CBP gave me that opportunity.”
SkillBridge continues to provide structured pathways for transitioning service members to align their skills with meaningful civilian careers while supporting national security missions beyond service.
Explore DoW SkillBridge opportunities with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at: https://skillbridge.mil.mil/locations search keywords “CBP” or "Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
For more information on SkillBridge, visit https://skillbridge.mil.
This story was adapted from “Trading Camouflage for a CBP Calling: Charles Viney’s SkillBridge Path to CBP,” originally published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2026 17:15 |
| Story ID: | 565070 |
| Location: | ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Beyond Service: Veteran Finds New Calling with CBP Through DoW SkillBridge, by Anthony Small, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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