Bridgestone Retail Operations, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, has partnered with the Army Career Skills and Department of Defense (DOD) SkillBridge programs to launch a Military Fellowship Program. This program aims to provide transitioning service members with practical training and career opportunities in the automotive industry.
The pilot program will be initiated at two Firestone Complete Auto Care stores located near Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Participating service members will receive up to 180 days of automotive technician training while still receiving their military pay and benefits, the company said.
Marko Ibrahim, president of Bridgestone Retail Operations, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting military personnel and highlighted the valuable skills service members bring to the civilian workforce, particularly in the automotive industry, such as leadership, accountability and technical proficiency.
Bridgestone’s Military Fellowship Program is part of a broader initiative by the DOD SkillBridge program, which collaborates with various organizations to offer service members civilian work experience through training, apprenticeships or internships in the final 180 days of their military service. This initiative complements the Army Career Skills Program, which encourages soldiers to utilize training and development opportunities throughout their military careers.
Additionally, the program aligns with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, particularly the “Empowerment” value. The E8 Commitment comprises eight values that start with the letter “E,” reflecting Bridgestone’s corporate ethos.
