Test Drive the Next Chapter: A SkillBridge Experience at Buffumville Lake and Hodges Village Dam

By Lieutenant Colonel Dave MacPhail, Engineer, U.S. Army

SkillBridge is a program that eligible servicemembers can utilize when seeking a new profession as they end their service commitment to the country. It essentially is an internship with a company you are interested in learning about. There are numerous opportunities for service members to browse as part of their navigation through the transition assistance program.

On a busy summer day at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District’s Buffumville Lake in Oxford, Massachusetts, a park ranger may direct visitors to available parking, answer questions about water safety, inspect facilities, replace aging signs and help ensure families can safely enjoy the outdoors. The same can be said for Hodges Village dam, where there are a myriad of trails for dirt bikes, hikers and mountain bikers that need daily maintenance.

It is hands-on work, highly visible to the public and far removed from many of the assignments I held during my Army career. It was also exactly the type of experience I sought as I prepared to transition from military service. I am a retiring Army lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, leaving the Army this winter. During most of my career, I served in infantry brigade combat teams or led engineer formations supporting them. My background includes mechanical and environmental engineering, project management, and service as the deputy engineer/commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District.

As retirement approached, my family and I decided to remain in New England so we could establish greater stability as our children entered high school. That decision meant I needed to think deliberately about my next profession. I wanted more than a smooth departure from the Army—I wanted an opportunity to explore a possible career field, gain practical experience and make an informed decision about what would come next. That is what led me to SkillBridge.

During my assignment with New England District as the deputy engineer, I traveled across the six New England states to learn about the district’s projects and programs. One project that stood out was Buffumville Lake, just south of Worcester. The project combines the USACE civil-works mission with a public recreation area used by fishermen, hikers, picnickers and families enjoying the beach and lake.

My first interaction with the Buffumville Lake team came during an earlier visit, when I presented its members with the district’s “Blue Lobster” safety award. The team had helped support the medical evacuation of an ill visitor from the park. Their actions reflected an organization that was prepared, safety-focused and committed to serving the public.

When it came time to select a SkillBridge opportunity, Buffumville Lake was a natural fit. It was close to home, connected to an organization I knew well and offered the hands-on experience I wanted. I joined the ranger team for two months in the middle of the recreation season, when hundreds of visitors arrived at the lake each day. Some aspects of the work felt immediately familiar. Assisting visitors, explaining safety expectations, directing people to appropriate parking areas and helping maintain a clean, functional recreation site all require communication, attention to detail and a service mindset. Those skills transfer easily from military service. Other parts of the job pushed me outside my normal experience. I built replacement signs for aging infrastructure around the park and learned that ranger work in New England comes with its own occupational hazards. One encounter with poison ivy resulted in a course of steroids and a memorable reminder that hands-on work often comes with lessons no classroom can provide.

That contrast was one of the most valuable parts of the experience.

After years of leading formations and managing complex programs, SkillBridge placed me in a role where the mission was immediate and visible. A properly placed sign, a clear safety message or a helpful interaction with a visitor could directly improve someone’s day and contribute to safe operations at the project.

The experience also gave me a renewed appreciation for the full scope of the Corps of Engineers mission. USACE plans, designs and manages complex infrastructure, but that mission also depends on the people who maintain public spaces, safeguard visitors and keep civil-works projects operating day after day. At Buffumville Lake, that work is visible in every repaired sign, every well-maintained facility and every safe day on the water.

For Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians and Coast Guardsmen considering retirement or separation, SkillBridge is worth exploring early. A well-chosen assignment can provide time to test a career field, learn from experienced professionals and determine whether a workplace and profession are the right fit before transitioning from active service.

My advice is to seek an opportunity that requires participation rather than observation. Ask questions. Learn the daily work. Be willing to start at the ground level, even after serving in positions of significant responsibility. The goal is not simply to add another line to a résumé; it is to gain the perspective needed to make a confident transition decision.

For me, serving as a park ranger at Buffumville Lake provided more than hands-on experience. It offered a new view of service, a deeper understanding of USACE’s civil-works mission and a practical way to begin the next chapter.

Here’s some advice for transitioning Service Members to get the most out of the SkillBridge Program:

1. Start early. Give yourself time to research career fields and identify assignments that support your long-term goals. Feel free to call a company or government organization that is not listed on the SkillBridge portal. With enough time, they can gain access and host you.
2. Choose hands-on work. Look for an opportunity to experience the daily responsibilities of a profession, not simply observe them.
3. Use your network. Former leaders, colleagues and professional contacts may help identify organizations and assignments worth considering.
4. Be ready to learn. A transition assignment is an opportunity to build new skills and understand a new workplace culture.
5. Consider the complete fit. Evaluate location, family needs, mission, growth potential and whether the work is sustainable after military service.

In conclusion, the SkillBridge program was an excellent fit for me as a transitioning service member.  The opportunity to support a meaningful mission and serve the people in my direct local area were rewarding and uplifting.  I highly recommend seeking out a SkillBridge with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  For more information on USACE SkillBridge opportunities please contact Ashlie S. Jenkins, mailto:ashlie.s.jenkins@usace.army.mil or 202-761-1816.

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