Translating Military Experience into a Civilian Career: A Veteran’s Guide

When I came home from deployment, I could lead a team, manage complex logistics, and handle stress most people can’t imagine—but none of that fit neatly into a job title on LinkedIn. Like many veterans, I learned that a civilian career isn’t about starting over—it’s about translating what you’ve already done into language employers understand.

If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t know how to explain what I did in the military,” this guide is for you.

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1) Identify Your Transferable Skills

The qualities that made you successful in service—leadership, integrity, adaptability—are exactly what employers want. The key is translation.

Military Skill → Civilian Translation
Mission planning → Strategic or project management
Chain of command → Team structure / leadership hierarchy
After-action report (AAR) → Post-project review / performance evaluation
Logistics coordination → Supply chain / operations management
Squad leader / section lead → Team supervisor / operations lead

Pro tip: Replace acronyms with plain English. Instead of “NCOIC,” say “Operations Lead” or “Team Supervisor.”

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2) Translate Your MOS or Rating to Civilian Roles

Your MOS or rating maps to real civilian titles. Use reputable crosswalks (for example, the O*NET Military Crosswalk) to find equivalent job titles and keywords.

Examples:
• 42A Human Resources Specialist → Human Resources Assistant, Personnel Coordinator, Recruiting Associate
• 68W Combat Medic → Medical Technician, Healthcare Support Specialist, EMS Coordinator
• 25B Information Technology Specialist → IT Support Specialist, Systems Administrator, Help Desk Analyst

Search civilian job boards using those titles and mirror the keywords you see in the descriptions.

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3) Build Your Civilian Brand: Resume, LinkedIn, Interviews

Resume: Lead with impact, not rank. Quantify results.
“Led a 12-person logistics team; reduced delivery times by 40% supporting 200+ personnel.”
“Managed $1.2M equipment inventory with zero losses; implemented process that cut discrepancies by 35%.”

LinkedIn: Use the About section to tell your story—values, strengths, and mission. Add certifications, volunteer work, and skills endorsements. Set your headline beyond “Veteran,” such as “Operations Leader | Logistics & Process Improvement | Team Development.”

Interviews: Translate jargon. “Commanded a platoon” becomes “Supervised a 30-person operations team.” Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to share short, measurable examples.

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4) Certifications and Bridge Programs

• DoD SkillBridge: Hands-on internships during your last 180 days of service.
• CompTIA / AWS / PMP / SHRM: Align certifications with your target field.
• Apprenticeships and community college certificates: Fast tracks into skilled careers.

Choose one certification that appears repeatedly in job postings you’re pursuing—that’s your best investment.

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5) Top Resources for Veterans

• VA Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E): Career counseling, training, and job placement.
• Hire Heroes USA: Free coaching, resume reviews, and job connections.
• LinkedIn Veterans Program: One year of LinkedIn Premium plus LinkedIn Learning.
• American Job Centers / State DVS (such as Virginia DVS): Local, veteran-focused career support.
• Mentor Networks: Veterati and American Corporate Partners for one-on-one mentoring.

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6) Action Plan for This Week

1. Pick three civilian job titles that match your MOS.
2. Rewrite your resume bullets with metrics and civilian language.
3. Update your LinkedIn headline and About section.
4. Identify one certification to pursue.
5. Apply to three roles and request two informational interviews.

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Own Your Story

You’ve already proven your ability to lead, adapt, and deliver under pressure. Now it’s about telling that story with confidence—in your resume, on LinkedIn, and in every interview.

Veterans don’t need to reinvent themselves; they need to restate who they already are.

Have questions or want feedback on your resume or LinkedIn? Drop a comment below or message me—I’m here to help.

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Do you need a VSO/VSR?
Video appointments are available!
To request a video appointment, please call the office or send
an email to Barbara.Sotorodriguez@dvs.virginia.gov. 
In-person appointments available at the Virginia
Department of Veteran Services – Springfield Benefits Office.

VDVS – https://vesa.dvs.virginia.gov/