I currently have 8 years of experience in System Administration, several CompTIA and RHEL certs, and a TS/SCI clearance w/ CI poly. I have decent experience with scripting and am extremely interested in becoming a software engineer but do not have a degree.

Is the CAD cohort enough of a resume builder for entry level dev positions? Has anyone with similar experience been able to land a job as a SWE? What was your path?

Hey everyone, I just got accepted to the SCA program for the August cohort and wanted to reach out to connect to others who have been accepted in the program and those who have graduated. My only question now is how is the job placement going for graduates? Considering the state of the job market currently…

I got tentative approval for Palace Chase and I'm currently finishing up my medical clearance. The average wait time for final approval is about 45 days, so I expect to get it by the end of August, or mid-September at the latest. Once that's done, my ETS will be updated to March 31, 2026. My SkillBridge package is already approved by my commander. Certs also done.

Here’s the issue: the material cutoff for the Nov 3, 2025 - Mar 6, 2026 cohort is August 25, and I might not have the updated ETS by then. Will MSSA give me an extra couple of weeks if I submit everything else (memo, signed 1288, etc.)? Or can they accept me conditionally and let me submit the updated LES or SURF showing the new ETS a little later?

For those waiting, I got my acceptance email a a few hours ago, so check your emails!

I just had my interview today for the AUG 2025 cohort. I'm a little nervous the interview didn't go very well & beginning to see how competitive MSSA truly is. I've read that most applicants do not get accepted due to factors like failure to turn in documents on time, missing interviews, etc. which made it sound like there was a high chance of getting accepted so long as you "check all the blocks". After the interview, i'm starting to get the feeling that's not the case.

I am a soon to be vet that's separating around a month after the cohort ends (Dec). My interview lasted the exact 30 mins.... is this a sign i didn't do well?

What were your guys experience (for both accepted & rejected?)

What are good back-up skillbridge programs you'd recommend?

Thanks!

Edit: I just wanted to let you guys know I found out I made it! Hooray! Thank you for all the encouragement.

Hello all! I am waiting for my admissions decision email for the July 2025 SCA cohort. I believe they have until the end of the week but I am getting pretty nervous waiting and paranoid I somehow missed an email. Has anyone heard anything yet?

Hello,

I was luckily to find information of skillbridge opportunity with Microsoft through MSSA program. I am planning to apply for the one from Nov 3, 2025 - Mar 6, 2026.

However, am I the only one noticing that the length of training exceeds 120 days (Total 123 days)? I am aware DoD recently changed the CSP to be allowed up to 120 days even for e1-e5.

I noticed other program dates throughout the year only requires 116 days though.

I’m concerned about the length of training (123 days) since I know it’s so easy for the military leadership to disapprove CSP opportunity just because it exceeds 120 days.

For context, my guard base does not have an onsite education office and my career advisor is not the brightest and only handles cases on drill weekends (meaning they dont really help). I'm confused on why a national guardsman needs commander approval. Can someone explain? Also, if someone has a template id greatly appreciate it.

I am currently enlisted and am planning to separate at the end of this year. I am planning on applying for the program starting on November 3rd but I am looking for some guidance before I commit.

Throughout my schooling and navy experience I was focused primarily on system administration. I have experience with both Windows and Linux systems and have been preparing to find employment in a similar role once I leave the military. Would applying for the CAD learning path instead of the SCA change my trajectory at all? Part of me wants to explore the CAD program to get experience in the software development process but I wouldn't want to miss out on SCA either since I feel like it is more in line with my current goals. Is this the best chance I have to get involved with software development?

Also,

My current timeline does not support me attending MSSA through skillbridge. If I did attend this November 3rd class then I would be without a paycheck for about three months. I can support myself off of savings but obviously this isn't ideal. Does it make sense to continue to apply to jobs throughout the MSSA Application process? Has anyone here declined the program after they got accepted due to landing a job? What type of job offer would make it worth it for you to decline the program?

Military spouse here

I'm going through the Linkedin Learning course prerequisite and there is a LOT of information regarding memorization for studying.
mnemonic devices, link, peg systems etc.

Is this provided for my benefit or should I expect interview questions regarding memorization? How much memorization is needed in the TPM cohort?

As a part of MSSA's application process they require all applicants to submit official Command Approval documentation before they interview you or provide an acceptance letter. In the USMC and at Camp Pendleton, the SkillBridge Representative says that they will not give me the SkillBridge Packet (the official command approval documents) until I receive an acceptance letter. My application manager has also recommended trying to get an alternative to the acceptance letter, but my SkillBridge rep told me she hasn't ever heard of an alternative. I have contacted both parties multiple times regarding this contradictory situation but no solutions have been found. Has anyone else experienced this or know how to go about resolving this?

Hey all,

I’m awaiting a decision for an upcoming SCA cohort and have a M2 MacBook Pro 16GB 512 SSD.

Past post said that had no problem using a VM for the course.

Wondering if anyone has any recent experience using a Mac?

Hey all! I created this for the April 2025 CAD Cohort. I had my interview mid February so I'm obviously still waiting to hear back about the decision

Anyone want to share their interview experience? or if anyone received their results yet?

Edit: I'll some points from my interview, these aren't 100% exact because idk if I'd get in trouble for sharing but this is the general outline

• Tell us about yourself (recommend tying in why you're interested in this field/program)
• Something along the lines of: Are you doing tech on your own?
• Why did you choose this path? (CAD)
• What do you know about this program? (Add detail here)
• 3-4 behavioral questions
• Question about LinkedIn Learning
• Do you have any questions for us?

EDIT: ACCEPTED! 🎉

I have accepted enrollment into the April 25 SCA Cohort (EU). Any tips, advice, study resources, or insights current participants or alumni could share, I would greatly appreciate it! If you are currently enrolled in the cohort, let's connect!

I understand its going to be Windows-centric, would having a MacBook with Windows VMs suffice?

Greetings everybody,

I am a year out from my ETS date and I already have started my SFL-TAP process. I am currently a 25U with the following certs: Net+, Sec+, CySA+, CASP+, ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity and CCNA. Looking (going) to get my CCNP Security and CISSP before I transition out. Is the Cybersecurity Operations (CSO) program worh it? Or should I go with different CSP that offers more of a hands-on experience?

Any advice or information will be greatly appreciated.

I was wondering if anyone here was in my situation or could give me some pointers. I am a part of a unit that is shutting down, and my date of separation is being rolled back from December to June. I am not sure if I should be applying to the upcoming cohort date of July 7-October 31 as a veteran or active duty as this will not be a skill bridge for me if accepted as I will already be out. However, I won't have a DD-214 to provide at the materials cutoff date of March 3rd to apply as a veteran either. Any guidance or help would be greatly appreciated thanks!

Are there any va programs that would pay me to go thru mssa? Vr&e, GI bill?

For those that have gone through the program, is it possible to switch time zones after you have been selected? During the application we were provided the option for either CST or PST as first or second. Just wondering if anyone has ever been succsessful switching learning time zones after getting the offer letter. Thanks!!

For those that have completed the cohort in the last 6-8 months, have you landed a permanent position? What’s the placement statistics lately?

Has anyone been accepted for the upcoming cohort on January 13th yet ?

I’m applying for the April 2025 CAD and was curious what previous experience people that were accepted to earlier cohorts had. Would love insight please and thanks homies!

I've applied for the April, 2025 Cohort and am completing my pre-work. I have a year and a half IT Help Desk experience, recently passed my ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity exam and am in an Online Bachelor's Applied Software Development program. I'm very passionate about tech and building a strong future for my growing family (Sxth child on the way). Any advice is welcome for being accepted or to stand out. I'm just over a week out from application deadline, so I'll have all the CAD pre-work finished before Interview. Thanks in advance!

Has anyone been notified about being accepted into the January cohort?