Job Search Strategies for Active Duty Military and Veterans

Translating Military Experience to Civilian Jobs

 

Now that you have drafted a list of all of your skills, awards, honors, education, training, etc. the next step is to translate your military experience into a language that civilian managers understand, value, and desire from prospective employees. You do not want to skip or overlook this step of the resume writing process. It is important that you are able to communicate effectively your amazing skills and abilities acquired from your military experience and here on this page are ways you can translate your military experience to the civilian world and effectively communicate your skills to any employer.

Military Terminology 

Employers reject resumes that contain language they do not understand. While some of the military terminology you use is common to you and those who may have served, for the average employer, it is not. As such, it is important to use terms that are interchangeable; therefore, improving your resume's readability for civilian employers.

Here are examples of some military titles/terms and suggested civilian titles/terms. 

Military Title/term

 civilian title/term

AH-64

Military Helicopter

AAM-ARCOM, NAM

Award, Recognition

Brigade

Group, Division

Combat/War

Hazardous conditions

FOB, AFB

Base

Medal

Honor, Award, Recognition

Military Occupation Specialty

Career Specialty

Mission

Task, Objective, Responsibility

NCO, Squad Leader, Commander, Watch Captain

Supervisor, Manager, Team Lead, Operations Supervisor

NCO Academy

Leadership/Management Training

Reconnaissance

Data Collection, Analysis

S3

Operations Department

Soldier, Airmen

Individuals, Staff, Employees, Colleague

Squad, Platoon, Battalion

Team, Section, Department, Agency, Organization

Subordinates

Employees, Staff, Team, Personnel

Supply Sergeant

Logistics Manager

Military Education

While serving in the military, you may have also completed additional education and training. For example, you may have taken courses or attended workshops related to initiating, planning, leading, and briefing missions. These courses can translate to the skills often listed on project manager job descriptions. Do not forget to include this type of valuable information in your master resume and if relevant to the job description, in the resume you submit to the employer. Create a section called "Trainings and Certifications," Additional Education and Training," etc. and list the education, training or course you completed. You may also want to include a simple statement explaining the education, training, or course you completed in terms understandable to civilian employers.

Military EDUCATION/TRAINING

 civilian TERMINOLOGY

Advanced Individual Training (AIT)

Advanced Skills Course in ...

Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC)

Basic Leadership and Management Development Course

Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course (BNOC)

Intermediate Leadership and Management Development Course

Combined Arms Staff College

Senior Managerial Leadership School

War College

Executive Leadership School

Sample Translation

Military Experience: An infantryman with 23 years in the Army (E-9/Command Sergeant Major) operated tanks and weapons  dug ditches, and addressed issues of enlisted soldiers.

Civilian Translation: Supervised, trained and evaluated 40 personnel, supporting more than 2,000 troops in four countries, with an inventory list of 1,500 line items, and material assets valued at $65M

Online Resources - Military Translations