NPower Taps Retired Army Colonel to Scale SkillBridge Cybersecurity Pipeline for Veterans

National tech training nonprofit NPower is doubling down on its bet that veterans can help close the cybersecurity talent gap—and that leadership matters just as much as curriculum. The organization has appointed Jarrett A. Thomas II, U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.), as Executive Director of NPower SkillBridge, its Department of Defense–approved program that trains transitioning service members for civilian cybersecurity and IT careers.

The move signals both momentum and ambition. SkillBridge, now entering its third year, has already graduated more than 500 service members and boasts outcomes many workforce programs would envy. Bringing in a senior leader with deep military, operational, and workforce-transition experience suggests NPower is preparing for its next phase: scale.

A Leader Who Knows the Transition Firsthand

Thomas arrives with more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning tactical, operational, and strategic roles in the U.S. Army. His résumé includes command of one of the Army’s most elite and rapidly deployable formations—experience that translates well to the high-stakes, fast-evolving world of cybersecurity.

Most recently, Thomas served as Director of the U.S. Army’s Soldier for Life program, where he helped design and execute enterprise-wide initiatives supporting more than one million service members, veterans, and military families. That role placed him at the intersection of workforce readiness, employer partnerships, and large-scale systems change—precisely the skills needed to grow a national training pipeline.

In other words, this isn’t a ceremonial appointment. It’s an operational one.

“I’m honored to join NPower and excited to support the continued growth and impact of the SkillBridge program,” Thomas said. “This work represents a powerful opportunity to equip transitioning service members with the skills and pathways they need for successful civilian cybersecurity or IT careers.”

Why SkillBridge Matters Now

The appointment comes at a moment when the cybersecurity labor shortage shows no signs of easing. Industry estimates continue to peg the global shortfall in the millions, while employers struggle to find candidates with both technical skills and real-world discipline.

Veterans, particularly those transitioning out of active duty, sit at a natural crossroads. They bring operational rigor, security awareness, and leadership experience—but often lack civilian-recognized certifications or clear entry points into private-sector tech roles.

That’s where SkillBridge fits in. Approved by the Department of Defense, SkillBridge allows service members to participate in civilian training programs during their final months of active duty—at no cost to the participant.

NPower’s version focuses squarely on cybersecurity and IT, pairing intensive technical instruction with career readiness and job placement support.

What Sets NPower’s Program Apart

Plenty of organizations offer cybersecurity bootcamps. Fewer do it with the structure, outcomes, and military fluency NPower brings to the table.

Since launching, the NPower SkillBridge Cybersecurity Program has produced results that stand out in the crowded workforce development space:

• 516 service members graduated in just three years

• 81% secured employment or continued education

• 97% earned industry-recognized cybersecurity certifications

• 96% successfully completed the program

Participants earn credentials that hiring managers actually recognize, including CompTIA Security+, Network+, and Splunk Core Certified User—certifications aligned with entry- and mid-level cybersecurity roles.

Just as important, the program layers in career coaching, employer connections, and job placement support, addressing the “last mile” problem that trips up many training initiatives.

Built by People Who’ve Made the Jump

One of NPower SkillBridge’s quieter advantages is its team. The program is led by professionals with more than 50 years of combined experience in workforce development and veteran support. Several are NPower alumni who have personally navigated the shift from military service to civilian tech careers.

Instructional staff add another 25+ years of expertise across IT, cybersecurity, systems operations, and leadership training. The result is a learning environment grounded in both technical credibility and lived experience—an important differentiator when teaching service members preparing for a major life transition.

This emphasis on authenticity matters. Programs that don’t understand military culture often struggle with retention or relevance. NPower’s completion rate suggests it has figured out the formula.

Leadership as a Growth Strategy

Thomas’ appointment isn’t just about continuity—it’s about expansion. With more than 20 years of service to military-connected communities, NPower has built a strong foundation. The next challenge is scaling responsibly without diluting outcomes.

That’s where Thomas’ background becomes especially relevant. Running Soldier for Life required aligning federal agencies, nonprofits, employers, and service members around a shared mission. SkillBridge operates in a similarly complex ecosystem, involving the Department of Defense, training providers, and private-sector employers hungry for talent.

“Thomas’ appointment reflects the strength and momentum of the NPower SkillBridge program and the veteran-led team behind it,” said Bea Tassot, VP of Field Operations and Military Programs at NPower. “With experienced leadership, proven outcomes and instructors who understand the military-to-civilian transition firsthand, our SkillBridge program is delivering results for service members and employers alike.”

Translation: the program works, and now it’s time to make it bigger.

Implications for Employers and the HR Tech Ecosystem

For employers, especially those struggling to staff security operations centers or IT teams, SkillBridge represents a low-risk, high-impact talent pipeline. Graduates arrive certified, trained, and accustomed to working in high-pressure environments—often with security clearances and leadership experience baked in.

For the broader HR tech and workforce development market, NPower’s progress highlights a growing trend: mission-driven training programs tied directly to employability, not just skills acquisition.

As companies rethink degree requirements and lean more heavily on certifications and demonstrated capability, programs like SkillBridge may become a model—not an exception.