Transitioning from military service to the civilian workforce can be a challenge, especially when it comes to translating military experience into terms that civilian employers can easily understand. Veterans possess valuable skills—leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and discipline—that are highly sought after in the civilian job market. However, the key to success lies in how these skills are communicated on a civilian resume.
A well-crafted resume can help veterans stand out from the competition, showcase their unique qualifications, and demonstrate their ability to succeed in a civilian role. In this blog, we’ll provide tips on how to translate military skills into civilian terms on a resume, helping veterans make a strong impression on potential employers. With guidance from organizations like Warrior Allegiance, veterans can build a resume that highlights their strengths and sets them on a path to career success.
1. The Importance of Translating Military Experience into Civilian Terms
Military roles are often complex, with job titles, duties, and skills that may not directly translate into civilian terminology. While veterans may have developed excellent leadership, technical, and management skills, civilian employers may not fully understand how these skills apply to the job they’re hiring for. That’s why it’s essential for veterans to translate their military experience into language that civilian employers can easily recognize.
By effectively translating military experience, veterans can:
- Highlight Transferable Skills: Many skills learned in the military are directly transferable to civilian jobs, but employers may not recognize them unless they’re clearly stated in civilian terms.
- Stand Out in the Job Market: A well-structured resume that speaks the language of the civilian job market can help veterans stand out from other applicants and demonstrate their qualifications for the role.
- Avoid Confusion: Using military jargon or acronyms on a resume can confuse potential employers who are unfamiliar with military terms. Clear, civilian-friendly language helps ensure that the veteran’s qualifications are easily understood.
2. Identifying Transferable Skills
The first step in creating a civilian resume is to identify the skills developed during military service that are transferable to civilian jobs. These skills often include leadership, problem-solving, communication, technical expertise, and adaptability—qualities that are highly valued in any industry.
Common Transferable Skills from Military Service:
- Leadership: Veterans often have experience leading teams, managing personnel, and making critical decisions under pressure. Employers are always looking for candidates with proven leadership skills.
- Problem-Solving: In the military, veterans are trained to think quickly, assess situations, and find effective solutions. Problem-solving is a key skill in many civilian jobs, from management roles to technical positions.
- Teamwork: Veterans have extensive experience working as part of a team, collaborating with others to achieve a common goal. Highlighting teamwork skills is essential for roles that require collaboration, such as project management or customer service.
- Communication: Clear communication is critical in both military and civilian environments. Veterans who have experience communicating complex information to diverse audiences should highlight these skills on their resumes.
- Technical Expertise: Many veterans receive specialized technical training during their service, including IT, engineering, logistics, or aviation skills. These technical abilities can easily transfer to civilian industries.
- Adaptability and Resilience: Military life demands adaptability in dynamic and sometimes challenging environments. Employers value candidates who can thrive in fast-paced, ever-changing workplaces.
3. Translating Military Jargon into Civilian Language
One of the biggest hurdles for veterans when creating a resume is translating military jargon and acronyms into civilian-friendly language. The key is to describe your military experience in terms that hiring managers without military backgrounds will understand. Here’s how to do it:
Avoid Military Titles and Codes
Military job titles, such as MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) codes, AFSC (Air Force Specialty Codes), or NEC(Navy Enlisted Classification), may not make sense to civilian employers. Instead of using military-specific titles, translate your role into a civilian equivalent.
For example:
- Instead of: “Infantryman, MOS 11B”
- Use: “Team Leader in Tactical Operations”
- Instead of: “Logistics Specialist, MOS 92A”
- Use: “Supply Chain and Inventory Manager”
Focus on the Responsibilities, Not the Title
In addition to translating your military title, focus on describing the responsibilities and achievements you had in the role. Highlight the specific duties you performed, the results you achieved, and how they relate to the civilian job you’re applying for.
For example:
- Instead of: “Served as a squad leader, responsible for overseeing unit operations.”
- Use: “Led a team of 10 personnel in executing tactical operations, ensuring mission readiness and safety. Managed team training, coordinated logistics, and improved efficiency by 20%.”
Translate Acronyms and Technical Terms
Military resumes often include acronyms or technical terms that civilian employers may not understand. Replace acronyms with their full descriptions and simplify technical language where possible.
For example:
- Instead of: “Managed C2 systems and executed ISR missions.”
- Use: “Managed command and control systems and coordinated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.”
4. Structuring a Civilian Resume
Once you’ve translated your military experience, the next step is to structure your resume in a way that emphasizes your qualifications and aligns with civilian hiring practices.
Start with a Strong Summary or Objective
Your resume should begin with a summary or objective statement that briefly explains your background, skills, and career goals. This section should focus on the value you bring to the employer and how your military experience translates into success in a civilian role.
For example: “As a highly motivated and results-driven professional with 10+ years of experience leading teams in high-pressure environments, I bring strong leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills to the workplace. Adept at managing complex projects and streamlining operations, I am seeking to leverage my military experience in a management position within the logistics industry.”
Highlight Key Skills in a Skills Section
Including a skills section is an effective way to showcase your transferable skills. Tailor this section to the job you’re applying for, focusing on skills that match the job description.
For example: Key Skills:
- Leadership and Team Management
- Strategic Planning and Execution
- Supply Chain and Inventory Management
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation
- Budgeting and Financial Oversight
- Crisis Management and Problem-Solving
Include a Professional Experience Section
Your professional experience section should outline your military roles and responsibilities, using civilian language to highlight your accomplishments. Use bullet points to keep the section concise and easy to read. Quantify your achievements whenever possible, as this provides concrete evidence of your abilities.
For example: Logistics Operations Manager | U.S. Army | 2015–2021
- Led logistics operations for a 500-member unit, managing inventory, transportation, and supply chain processes.
- Supervised a team of 20 personnel, ensuring timely delivery of equipment and materials with 98% accuracy.
- Developed and implemented new inventory control procedures, reducing supply chain inefficiencies by 15%.
5. Tailoring Your Resume for Each Job Application
One of the most important resume-writing tips is to tailor your resume for each job application. This involves adjusting your resume to emphasize the skills, experiences, and achievements that are most relevant to the specific role you’re applying for.
- Analyze the Job Description: Before applying for a job, carefully review the job description and identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Highlight these skills on your resume.
- Use Keywords: Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Incorporating keywordsfrom the job description can help your resume pass through the ATS and reach a hiring manager.
6. How Warrior Allegiance Supports Veterans in Resume Building
Warrior Allegiance is committed to helping veterans successfully transition to civilian careers, offering resources and guidance on resume building, career development, and more.
- Resume Workshops and Coaching: Warrior Allegiance provides resume writing workshops and one-on-one coaching to help veterans translate their military experience into civilian-friendly resumes.
- Career Counseling: The organization offers career counseling services, helping veterans identify the skills and strengths that will make them stand out in the job market.
- Networking Opportunities: Warrior Allegiance connects veterans with networking events and mentorship programs to help them find job opportunities and connect with potential employers.
Conclusion
Building a civilian resume using your military experience is about more than listing your past roles—it’s about translating your valuable skills into terms that civilian employers can easily understand. By focusing on transferable skills, avoiding military jargon, and tailoring your resume to the job you’re applying for, you can create a strong resume that highlights your strengths and sets you up for success in the civilian job market.
With support from organizations like Warrior Allegiance, veterans can access the resources and guidance needed to build a winning resume and secure rewarding civilian careers. Whether you’re just starting your job search or looking to refine your resume, taking the time to translate your military experience effectively is the key to standing out to potential employers.
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