Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to become an Operation Socrates candidate?

Becoming an Operation Socrates candidate is completely free. We rely completely on our partnerships and donations to help place and train our interns and candidates.

No, though a bachelor’s degree helps expedite the journey it is not a requirement to be an Operation Socrates candidate. You can still attend a DoD Skillbridge internship without a bachelor’s degree. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree we can help you find the college and teacher program that is the best fit for you.

What are the benefits of the DoD Skillbridge internship?

The DoD Skillbridge internship is a great way to see if teaching is the right career path, earn experience, build your teaching resume, network, and build relationships with potential employers. Most importantly the internship offers the opportunity to learn from an experienced and highly effective teacher to help set you up for success as you begin your teaching career.

What can I expect from the DoD Skillbridge internship?

At Operation Socrates we understand the uncertainty and difficulty that comes with transitioning from the military. We try to be as flexible as possible and attempt to customize each internship to accommodate the wants and needs of our candidates. During the internship, each candidate is paired with a mentor teacher within their preferred subject area. The candidate works alongside the mentor teacher between 90-180 days. The first portion of the internship is observing the mentor teacher to identify and understand the various teaching techniques and strategies employed in the classroom. During the second portion, the candidate begins working with small groups of students or one on one with students to start employing the skills taught by the mentor teacher. The third and final portion of the internship allows the candidate to design, teach, and assess complete lessons, under the supervision and with assistance from the mentor teacher. Upon completion of the internship, if the candidate has performed satisfactorily, then the candidate will be offered a teaching position within the school district, contingent upon the necessary state certification requirements.

Yes, that’s perfectly fine. The various skills, life experiences, and basic leadership lessons learned during the military are all immensely beneficial towards building a strong teaching foundation.

There is no specific military occupation or specialty that guarantees you will be a great teacher. The most important attribute is the desire to make an impact on the next generation by passing along the lessons, values, and experiences you’ve learned during your service. Certain positions and experiences within the military do provide a strong foundation for teaching. Any service-member with leadership, cultural, advisor, instructor, or recruiting experience, is encouraged to apply.

Absolutely, the most important requirement is the desire to make an impact on the next generation by passing along the lessons, values, and experiences you’ve learned during your service.

I don’t know what subject I want to teach, how do I decide?

The answer to this question is different for everyone based on their individual circumstances. Our candidate advisors can help recommend and connect you to programs based on your goals and requirements. We are partnered with several veteran-friendly teacher programs that have extensive experience supporting military service-members and veterans. These often are good fits for our candidates.

By serving in the military you have already demonstrated a commitment to serving others, the ability to work with a diverse range of individuals and cultures, and countless other attributes that have provided you with an abundance of life experience compared to the average teacher candidate coming out of college. You can continue to enhance your resume by coaching, tutoring, working, or volunteering with the youth of America.