SkillBridge Program Smooths Veteran’s Transition to New Career at Navy Federal

By: Allison Stevens

“The only cure we need is security.”

So says Veteran Phanya “West” Sisoukrath, a security expert at Navy Federal Credit Union. After 3 decades in the field, the phrase is now his mantra—and physical (as opposed to financial) security is his mission at the world’s largest credit union.

An Asian American from an immigrant family, Sisoukrath comes to his new role at Navy Federal after a long history in the field.

Raised in small-town North Carolina, Sisoukrath joined the US Marine Corps after graduating from high school—not long after the birth of his daughter and the 2001 terrorist attacks. “I wanted to protect my family, and I wanted to protect my country,” he recalls.

Over the next 2 decades, Sisoukrath “hopped all over,” moving from Japan to Brazil to Iraq during the Global War on Terrorism—and back to the United States. Throughout much of that time, he served in the Marine Security Guard, the vaunted service that protects US embassies and consulates. He shifted to teaching in 2015, training junior Marines how to protect dignitaries, handle classified materials and secure facilities.

Looking to his past

After 21 years of service, Sisoukrath was ready for something new. In 2023, he decided to retire—and joined the roughly 200,000 Servicemembers who separate from service every year. Like many of his transitioning peers, he feared the unknown.

He knew he'd bring to his new role a competitive skillset, a commitment to service and teamwork and a sense of pride in a job well done. At the same time, he understood that military responsibilities don’t always align with company job titles, and that many Veterans encounter challenges navigating the job market, climbing the corporate ladder and shifting from military to corporate culture.

As he faced retirement, he wasn’t sure how he'd translate his extensive military experience to a corporate setting. He had a wife and kids to support, and his final military paycheck loomed on the horizon. “I was nervous. I didn’t know how I would provide for my family. I needed to find a job, and I was going to do everything I possibly could to continue to bring in that income.”

For resolve, he looked to his past.

Sisoukrath’s parents immigrated from Laos in the 1970s to flee communism, political instability and persecution for their involvement with US-backed forces during the Vietnam War. They survived a harrowing swim across the Mekong River, reached safety in Thailand and fled to the United States, where they settled in the rural South, an area with relatively few people of color, let alone immigrant families from Southeast Asia. Sisoukrath’s parents took factory jobs to support their family, while Sisoukrath and his siblings worked toward high school degrees while learning English and coping with occasional racism.

After high school, Sisoukrath enlisted in the military, where he faced culture shock again. As in childhood, he adapted well—taking to the military's “tight bedsheet corner” culture and its values of inclusion and belonging.

"It completely restructured my thought process,” he said. "I saw my fellow Marines as brothers and sisters in arms. The only color I saw was green.”

Adapting to change

Having adapted to change before, he knew he could do it again. As he prepared to leave the military, Sisoukrath took advantage of training in how to develop a resume that appeals to corporate recruiters and other military-provided opportunities to ease his transition.

Key was SkillBridge, a program offered by the US Department of Defense (DoD) that provides transitioning Servicemembers with the opportunity to apprentice for approved companies during the last 6 months of service. Sisoukrath interviewed for fellowships with multiple companies, but Navy Federal stood out.

“The staff were efficient and responsive,” he said. “They provided me with a sense of comfort and gave me all the information I needed,” inspiring him to sign on the dotted line. During his 2023 fellowship, he received on-the-job training and opportunities to network and participate in supplemental activities—as well as a pathway to full-time employment. Navy Federal, meanwhile, benefited from Sisoukrath’s training and experience, which was paid for by the DoD, while assessing him for future employment.

Sisoukrath passed with flying colors. In 2023, he was offered a full-time job as a security officer at Navy Federal’s headquarters in Vienna, Va., and was promoted to senior security specialist 3 months later. Today, he creates courses for junior officers to train them to respond to security crises and teaches CPR and emergency response, work for which he recently won an award for superior performance.

The SkillBridge program has been a win for all involved. It enabled the DoD to support the “best possible outcome” for Sisoukrath and other participants—not just short-term jobs, but careers with good pay and advancement. It gave Navy Federal access to an exceptional recruit. And, it helped Sisoukrath transition seamlessly into civilian life—without missing a beat or a paycheck.

The program exceeded expectations, Sisoukrath says. “It allowed me to comfortably transition from military to civilian culture at a comfortable pace. I learned how corporate culture operates, and I got to experience a different working environment.”

Britt Bloch, Navy Federal’s vice president of Talent Acquisition, Strategy & Recruiting, says the program is “essential to our mission at Navy Federal, enabling transitioning Servicemembers like West to translate their extraordinary skills into meaningful civilian careers seamlessly.”

Navy Federal has hired 120 SkillBridge fellows into full-time positions, she notes, reflecting a 78% conversation rate. “By attracting and retaining exceptional talent, we directly enhance our ability to serve our Members—embodying our commitment: Mission First, People Always.”

Sisoukrath works with a “great team” and leaders who ensure he has the tools he needs to be successful. “My boss recently told me, ‘Man, I feel like you’ve been working here for years.’” About one year out of the military and one generation removed from his family’s native Laos, Sisoukrath feels the same way.

In short, SkillBridge gave Sisoukrath the sense of security he has dedicated his life to giving others—a cure during a pivotal life moment.

Learn more about Navy Federal’s efforts to help military members find new careers.