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OWF - For Military Leadership & Commanders

Learn how OWF serve as powerful management tools to support your Service Members' recovery, readiness, and successful transition.

A Tool for Mission Readiness & Career Transition

You play a critical role in the well-being and career progression of your Service members. Operation Warfighter (OWF) is an official DoD program designed to support you and your recovering Service members (RSMs) in this mission. Your participation provides RSMs with structured and supportive pathways for your RSMs to gain valuable work experience and prepare for their future. The OWF program helps ensure that RSMs are either developing new skills to bring back to your unit or are prepared for a smooth and successful transition to civilian life, reflecting positively on your command.

How OWF Supports Your Mission

  • Keeps RSMs engaged in a professional, supervised work environment.
  • Allows members to develop new administrative and technical skills that can benefit your unit upon their return to duty.
  • Provides a valuable, resume-building experience that aids in a successful transition if the member separates.
  • Ensures RSMs remain productive, which can improve morale and well-being.

OWF and SkillBridge: Key Comparisons

Understanding the fundamental differences between Operation Warfighter (OWF) and the DoD SkillBridge programs are critical. Knowing which program to recommend ensures your Service members receive the right support at the right time. OWF is a recovery and career exploration tool for those still on active duty and in a medical recovery status, while SkillBridge is a transition tool for those in their final months of service.

Program Comparison

Criteria Operation Warfighter (OWF) DoD SkillBridge Program
Eligible Participants Recovering Service members on active duty in a medical recovery status (e.g., in IDES). Active duty Service members who are within their last 180 days of service.
Purpose and Focus Career exploration, skill development, and gaining professional experience to support recovery and transition readiness. Specific job training for a civilian career with a high probability of employment upon completion.
Duration Flexible, part-time or full-time, for the duration of the member's recovery process. Must be completed within the member's final 180 days of active duty service.
Pre-requisites Must be enrolled in a Service Wounded Warrior Program and/or the Disability Evaluation System (IDES). Must have completed all required transition training (TAP) and obtained unit commander approval.
Locations Internships are with federal government agencies. Apprenticeships and training are typically with civilian industry partners.
Approval Placement is based on a mutual agreement between the Service Member, their medical providers, and the host federal agency. Requires formal approval from the unit commander confirming participation will not impact final out-processing.
Outcomes Provides valuable resume experience, networking, and a potential path to federal employment. Not a direct hiring program. Designed to lead directly to a job offer and employment in the civilian sector immediately after separation.

Leadership Resources & Downloads

Key Program Downloads

OWF Factsheet

A one-page summary of the OWF internship program's benefits and requirements.

Download

E2I & OWF Leadership Briefing

A ready-to-use presentation on program benefits for your unit.

Download

DoDI 1300.25

The official DoD Instruction that establishes policy and guidance for the E2I and OWF programs.

View/Download

Important Links

Warrior Care Policy Page

Access the official policies governing Warrior Care programs.

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Warrior Care Reference Center

A central hub for documents, policies, and program information.

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Warrior Care Recovery Coordination Program

Learn more about the Warrior Care Recovery Coordination Program (WCRCP).

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