How SkillBridge Helped a U.S. Army Veteran Launch His Civilian Career
From Army Recruiter to Civilian Marketing Leader: How Moses Toliver Landed the Right Role Through SkillBridge
When Moses Toliver began planning his transition from the U.S. Army to civilian life, he knew one thing for certain: he could ace an interview. Years as a recruiter had sharpened his communication skills and confidence to excel in the hot seat. The real challenge was getting an interview in the first place.
“My number one priority was to have a job lined up before I signed out of active duty. The question became, ‘What do I have to do to get there?’”
— Moses Toliver
That question led him to a position as a Candidate Success Representative through RecruitMilitary’s DoW SkillBridge internship program, a decision that would transform not just his job search, but his perspective on the entire transition process.
What Is the DoW SkillBridge Program?
The Department of War SkillBridge program allows service members to gain hands-on civilian work experience in their final 180 days of active duty. Through partnerships with trusted organizations like RecruitMilitary, participants receive real-world training, networking opportunities, and professional development support, all while still on active duty.
A Crash Course in Civilian Hiring
With a background in marketing and a strong education, Moses wasn’t starting from scratch. However, the private-sector hiring process had changed dramatically since the last time he searched for a job.
Through RecruitMilitary’s workshops, one-on-one coaching, and SkillBridge mentorship, he learned how to:
- Translate military experience into civilian terms
- Build a professional LinkedIn profile
- Approach employers with confidence and focus
“RecruitMilitary provides the tools to pick your own destiny. You can’t place a value on that after years of having little choice over your career path.”
— Moses Toliver
The Long Game Pays Off
Moses started the DoW SkillBridge program in March, but it wasn’t until May that he felt ready to begin applying for jobs. In the meantime, some members of his cohort had already announced job offers, which made him question his approach.
“I was getting nervous. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong.”
— Moses Toliver
But in the final weeks of the program, things shifted.
“I started getting two, three, sometimes five interviews a week. That’s when I knew I was on the right track.”
— Moses Toliver
His patience paid off. Soon, those interviews became second and third rounds, and eventually, multiple offers.
Beyond the Job Offer
Today, Moses is the Supervisor of Marketing and Community Outreach at Newport News Public School District. He credits his time in RecruitMilitary’s DoW SkillBridge program with preparing him to land the role.
From resume resources to job-market insight and networking support, Moses took advantage of everything RecruitMilitary offered. Along the way, he gained something just as important: confidence.
“I knew I wanted to pursue a marketing or talent acquisition role. My time at RecruitMilitary gave me the confidence to go after those roles and know I had a real shot at landing one.”
— Moses Toliver
Advice for Fellow Veterans
Moses now encourages other transitioning service members to:
- Focus on the industry you want, not just a specific employer
- Use your available resources fully and be patient with results
- Temper expectations, but stay committed to getting to the interview stage
“Hang in there. You’re not doing it wrong. You just have to keep moving.”
— Moses Toliver
A Different Kind of Basic Training
Moses draws a powerful parallel between military onboarding and civilian career preparation:
“It takes six months to turn a citizen into a soldier. Without programs like this, you get one week of TAP and then they tell you, ‘Go out there and do great things.’ This program gives you months to ask yourself: ‘Who are you beyond the uniform? What value can you bring to another organization?’”
— Moses Toliver
Those months, he says, were invaluable. They gave him clarity, confidence, and ultimately, the power to choose his next mission.
“Once I had my story down, a solid resume, and the right connections, I realized the job market isn’t as treacherous as I thought. I can do this.”
— Moses Toliver
Start Your SkillBridge Journey
Whether you’re just beginning your military-to-civilian transition or ready to explore your next career move, RecruitMilitary can help you succeed.
RecruitMilitary’s Career Resources DoW SkillBridge Program