Norfork has gained some much-appreciated help from a new face over the last few months. Ryan Luczkowiak, a 21-year member of the Air Force, has been lending a helping hand with a bit of everything. He has been working under a unique program known as SkillBridge. SkillBridge is a Department of Defense initiative that allows military personnel approaching the end of their service to gain real-world experience in civilian workplaces. Participants remain employed by the military during their internship, which typically occurs within the last 180 days of their active duty. This arrangement provides organizations like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with skilled, disciplined, and motivated individuals, while offering service members a valuable opportunity to explore new career fields and transition smoothly into civilian life.
To participate, service members must meet eligibility requirements and secure approval from their commanding officer. The program is designed to support both the host organization and the intern, ensuring that the experience is mutually beneficial.
Ryan has embraced the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of Norfork’s operations. He particularly enjoys sampling fish, assisting with vaccinations, and observing the distribution of trout—a process that brings together science, conservation, and community engagement. As an extremely avid trout fisherman himself, Ryan finds great satisfaction in seeing firsthand how these efforts contribute to healthy fisheries and vibrant local ecosystems. We are glad to have Ryan around and are immensely thankful for his service to our country. The SkillBridge program gets two thumbs up from all of us at Norfork National Fish Hatchery.
