Does it feel like you are fighting a losing battle when it comes to landing a civilian job after you have served in the military?
You are not alone! Many veterans transitioning to civilian life often struggle to present their military experience and skillset in a way that aligns with civilian job expectations.
Ex-military service people can experience:
- Difficulty translating military roles and jargon into civilian language
- Underestimating how valuable and transferable their skills are in the private sector
- Lack of guidance when it comes to resume formatting and structure
- Feeling disconnected from the civilian job market’s expectations
If you’re experiencing any or all of these, you’re in the right place. We will address all of these common pain points here so you can effectively combat any doubts or uncertainties as you move from military to civilian life.
You can also take a look at our various templates and resume examples that can help guide you as you build your professional document.
Military-to-Civilian Resume Sample
Seeing a detailed example can help you see what works when it comes to updating your military resume to make it more suitable for job-seeking as a civilian.
This sample can be used as a template for your military-to-civilian transition resume.
[Jayne Smith]]
[Project Manager and Operations Leader]
[Location | email | phone number | Linkedin]
Summary
Disciplined and results-oriented U.S. Army veteran with 6 years of leadership and operational experience. Adept at driving team performance, solving complex problems, and meeting mission-critical deadlines. Transitioning to a civilian career in project management with a strong track record of delivering measurable results. Ready to bring strategic thinking and accountability to dynamic project teams.
Skills
- Strategic Operations Planning
- Team Leadership & Development
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation
- Logistics & Supply Chain Coordination
- Project Lifecycle Management (MS Project, Asana)
- Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
- Data Analysis & Reporting (Excel, Power BI)
- Process Improvement (Lean/Six Sigma)
- Inventory Management Systems (SAP, Oracle NetSuite)
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Experience
Staff Sergeant
2022 – 2024
Fort Benning, GA
- Implemented new training program for recruits, resulting in a 35% reduction in onboarding time.
- Led teams in patrols, tactical drills, and field exercises.
- Increased operational readiness rate from 85% to 96%.
- Coordinated Combat and Counter Insurgency Operations, overseeing mission planning and platoon logistics.
Platoon Leader
2019 – 2021
Fort Riley Army Base, KS
- Led a 60-person team in training exercises and mission preparation.
- Coordinated with other units and external organizations to achieve mission objectives with a 100% success rate.
- Managed platoon logistics, i.e., weapons and equipment maintenance and supply chain management with a budget of more than $7M.
Infantry Team Leader
2018 – 2019
Fort Riley Army Base, KS
- Mentored a team of 10 soldiers to ensure personal and professional development in alignment with mission readiness and organizational strategic goals.
- Raised team performance scores by 20% through implementation of new field training procedures.
- Maintained 100% accountability for weapons and assigned equipment worth $1M+.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration,
Baruch College, NY
Basic Training,
Fort Jackson, SC
Certifications
- Project Management Professional (PMP), 2025
Awards and Achievements
- Army Commendation Medal, 2022
- Good Conduct Medal, 2020
-
💡 Our expert’s advice
Note the use of words like “coordinated”, “mentored”, and “led”—words that hiring managers can relate to and that are applicable to many jobs in the civilian world.
How To Write a Civilian Resume With Military Experience
With the military-to-civilian resume example above, you can get a feel for how to translate military terms into civilian-friendly language, note your most valuable skills that are suited for a civilian job, and construct your civilian resume in the proper format.
Let’s delve into each resume section and format so you can develop an even deeper understanding of what it takes to write a military-to-civilian resume.
Remember, we’re here to help! Looking for a military resume builder or assistance with any resume? Access our AI resume builder and get started.
Choose your civilian resume format
In most cases, you will use the reverse chronological format for your resume. This is the most recognized format and one most expected by recruiters.
For a military-to-civilian resume, the functional/skills-based format is another option. In this format, you list your skills immediately following your contact information and resume summary and before listing your work history.
Skills-based hiring, where employers prioritize one’s abilities and skills over their experience, has become an increasingly popular approach.
According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 73% of companies used this approach in 2023 compared to 56% in 2022. In March 2025, SNI Companies, a nationwide staffing and recruiting company, stated that 2025 was “shaping up to be the year of skills-based hiring.”
Military-to-civilian resume sample in functional format
Here is another military-to-civilian resume sample for you to use as inspiration if you prefer to use a skills-first resume or functional format.
[Jayne Smith]
[Project Manager and Operations Leader[]
[Location | email | phone number | Linkedin]
Summary
Disciplined and results-oriented U.S. Army veteran with 6 years of leadership and operational experience. Active Secret Security Clearance. Adept at driving team performance, solving complex problems, and meeting mission-critical deadlines. Transitioning to a civilian career in project management with a strong track record of delivering measurable results. Ready to bring strategic thinking and accountability to dynamic project teams.
Core Competencies
- Strategic Operations Planning
- Team Leadership & Development
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation
- Logistics & Supply Chain Coordination
- Project Lifecycle Management (MS Project, Asana)
- Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
- Data Analysis & Reporting (Excel, Power BI)
- Process Improvement (Lean/Six Sigma)
- Inventory Management Systems (SAP, Oracle NetSuite)
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Relevant Experience Highlights
Leadership & Team Management
- Led and mentored teams ranging from 10 to 60 staff members, fostering high performance and cohesion.
- Developed and implemented a new recruit training program, reducing onboarding time by 35%.
- Mentored junior soldiers, raising team performance scores by 20% through innovative training strategies.
Project & Operational Planning
- Coordinated and executed complex mission planning and logistics for Combat and Counter Insurgency Operations.
- Oversaw tactical drills, field exercises, and cross-unit coordination with a 100% mission success rate.
- Increased operational readiness from 85% to 96% through process optimization.
Logistics & Resource Management
- Managed supply chain operations and maintenance for weapons and equipment valued over $7M.
- Maintained 100% accountability for gear worth $1M+ with no losses under command.
- Directed logistics planning and inventory control across multiple units and base operations.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration
Baruch College, NY
Basic Training
Fort Jackson, SC
Certifications
- Project Management Professional (PMP), Expected 2025
Awards & Achievements
- Army Commendation Medal, 2022
- Good Conduct Medal, 2020
Feature military-to-civilian qualifications in your resume summary
The resume summary is essentially the first thing a hiring manager will see on your civilian resume. Here’s the perfect opportunity to highlight skills that translate from your military experience to a civilian job.
To write a resume summary, you should include your number of years of experience, note a professional achievement or two, and indicate a few key skills.
Try to mention skills that are mentioned in the job post you are replying to and, when necessary, change the wording to make these skills more civilian-friendly.
It’s best to keep your summary around 3-4 sentences.
Summary
Experienced Security Specialist with 10+ years of military service focused on surveillance, loss prevention, and safety enforcement. Active Secret Security Clearance. Proven leader with a strong record of building and managing security teams in high-pressure environments. Skilled in risk assessment, conflict resolution, and maintaining order across diverse settings.
Add in-demand military and civilian skills
Here’s where you can leave off military-specific skills that would not be practical in day-to-day jobs. The fact that you were an expert marksman with an M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle, for instance, may not present a useful skill for most jobs.
Luckily, there are many military-learned skills that companies are looking for in job candidates that can be transferred easily to civilian life. It only takes re-framing one’s experiences in a way that underscores those skills that prove very useful in civilian roles.
We’ll take a look here to illustrate how to list hard, soft, and technical skills that you built in the military and how they can be translated for your civilian resume.
Soft Skills
- Leadership & Team Management: Leading diverse teams under pressure
- Adaptability: You thrive in unpredictable or fast-changing environments
- Discipline & Work Ethic: Consistent in meeting standards and mission goals
- Communication: Clear, concise communication in high-stakes settings
- Problem Solving & Decision Making: Making fast, effective decisions under stress
- Cultural Competency: Global working with diverse populations
Hard Skills
- Project Management: Leading missions means you can manage timelines, resources, and teams
- Emergency Response & First Aid: Critical for roles in security, safety, and public service
- Mechanical Repair & Maintenance: Useful in engineering, transportation, and field operations
- Weapons and Security Protocols: Relevant for law enforcement or private security roles
- Risk Assessment & Safety Planning: This is transferable to workplace safety, compliance, or HSE positions
Include soft skills throughout your resume
It is best practice to weave your soft skills throughout your civilian resume. Instead of simply listing them, show how you have used your soft skills in your achievements for each role.
Experience
- Led a cross-functional team of 20+ personnel, fostering collaboration and trust to complete high-stakes missions under strict deadlines—recognized for leadership and team cohesion.
- Communicated clearly and calmly in high-pressure environments, resolving conflicts and coordinating with diverse teams to ensure smooth operations and mission success.
If you developed any technical skills during your time in the military, as many do, definitely list these on your resume.
You might have, for example, performed maintenance on military vehicles or held positions in engineering or IT. This means that you have a deep understanding of computer systems, electrical systems, engines, lab equipment, or robotic systems.
🔧 Technical Skills
- Technical Writing & Documentation: Having the ability to produce clear reports and manuals
- Cybersecurity & Network Defense: Knowing how to protect systems from digital threats
- Data Analysis: Experience gathering intelligence and analyzing mission data is transferable to business intelligence roles among others
- IT Systems & Hardware: Familiarity with system setups, troubleshooting, and tech maintenance
- Logistics & Supply Chain Management: Expertise in coordinating resources, inventory, and transport
💡top tip
Replace anything that seems like military jargon with civilian terms; i.e., say you “supervised” or “led” instead of “commanded” or that you “collected data” or “surveyed” in place of “reconnaissance.”
It’s important to make these changes and use the right keywords, as these will stand out on a civilian resume and help your professional document pass through any ATS (applicant tracking system) scan.
Translate military experience on your civilian resume
You would think that someone who served in the military would stand out as a job candidate, as members of the armed forces are undoubtedly disciplined and possess a strong work ethic.
Well, a lack of responses to a veteran resume could be because in some cases, military terminology was not translated in the best way.
In other words, an army resume detailing your military service might not look or sound quite like the work history or experience section of a civilian resume. While your experience DOES translate, it simply needs to be worded correctly.
How should you best list your military experience on a civilian resume that relates your duties in the service in a way that shows you can assume the responsibilities of a civilian job?
First, let’s examine the way you would want to avoid when it comes to listing your military experience:
Wrong ❌
Field Artillery Officer
U.S. Army
September 2020 – October 2022
- Oversaw maintenance per TM standards; ensured PMCS was conducted pre- and post-mission.
- Supervised a 155mm howitzer gunline during FTX and live-fire ops.
- Coordinated with FDC to execute fire missions in support of maneuver elements.
- Managed emplacement of M777s per SOP and ROE guidelines.
In this example, you see several Army acronyms that hiring managers will not understand, nor be able to translate to the job they are offering.
So, your experience should look like this:
Right✅
Field Artillery Officer
U.S. Army
September 2020 – October 2022
- Streamlined equipment deployment processes, reducing setup time by 30% while increasing safety compliance.
- Led and trained a 15-member artillery team, improving unit readiness by 25% through rigorous field exercises and logistics coordination.
- Directed placement and operation of fire control systems, ensuring 100% accuracy in mission-critical communications across multiple units.
- Managed artillery post operations, overseeing maintenance and readiness of missile systems valued at over $10M.
In this example, the candidate clearly demonstrates management, planning, leadership, coordination, communication, and problem-solving skills. It’s always helpful and effective to include any measurable results, as you see in this example.
Furthermore, these qualities and results are presented without using military terms and phrases, making the information more accessible to recruiters.
Simply be cognizant of the acronyms and terms you grew accustomed to while in the military, and understand that those who never served will not be familiar with things that are common to you.
-
💡 Our expert’s advice
Most military performance appraisals are written in an action, impact, and result format. So, if you remember the strategy used for writing performance evaluations, this will help you write your resume.
Build in your military and civilian education and certifications
After detailing your relevant military work experience, you should list any formal education, military training, and certifications on your military-to-civilian resume.
Start with any colleges, universities, or military schools you attended, with dates (in reverse chronological order) and awarded degree, diploma, or designation.
List any military training, military academy attendance, or specialized training. You can include basic training here.
If you do not have any formal postsecondary education, then your education section would consist of military training details.
You would also add professional certifications you possess, both in and outside of the military. You might, for example, be a certified Military Dog Handler and also a Six Sigma certification. List these here.
Some companies might require some types of security clearance, such as those that manufacture military equipment, so it’s important to show that you have the necessary clearance.
If you’re applying to those types of companies, put your clearances at the top of your resume. Otherwise, add them to your Education section.
Examples of clearances and certifications are:
- Weapons Certification
- First Aid Certification
- Secret Level Clearance
- Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information Clearance (TS/SCI)
Example civilian resume education section
Here’s an example education section for someone who is ex-military and did not go to college. If you went to college you can add your degree in the place of the high school diploma.
Education and training
Strategic Operations Training
U.S. Army [Branch/School or Command, if known]
- Included leadership, mission planning, and operational strategy coursework
High School Diploma
[Name of High School], [City, State]
[Year Graduated]
>> Certifications <<
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt – Process improvement and operational efficiency, [Year – most recent first]
- Army Basic Leadership Course (BLC) – U.S. Army, [Year]
Additional sections to boost your military-to-civilian resume
What about information that doesn’t fit into any of the above sections?
Here’s where you’ll enlist additional sections to help boost your resume. You could include such sections as “Accomplishments/Achievements”, “Awards/Recognition”, “Memberships”, or “Activities.”
Accomplishments/Achievements
In most cases, you’ll list accomplishments that are easily transferable to civilian work-life in your Experience section if they tie directly to a specific job and are relevant to the role you are applying for.
But for relevant accomplishments that you did not gain through any work experience, you could include them in this section.
For example, you might have overseen a team responsible for maintaining aircraft for the U.S. Air Force that consistently led to a decrease in repairs. Add this fact! This shows you can be all you can be when it comes to teamwork and leadership.
In the example below, you can use this section to further demonstrate your leadership, management, and planning skills.
Professional Achievements
- Selected from among 50 platoon members to assist team leader in developing new training exercises that were later adopted in other platoons
- Achieved more than a 30% decrease in repairs of jeeps and armored vehicles as a member of the vehicle maintenance crew at Fort Dix, NJ, 2019-2021
- Managed the Soldier and Family Readiness Group (SFRG) at Fort Campbell, KY, 2022, leading to a 15% increase in participation in the program at this location
Awards
Were you awarded an Expert Marksman award? A Good Conduct Medal? Combat Action Badge?
These should definitely be listed on your military to civilian resume under the “Awards” heading.
By acknowledging these, you will show yourself to be hard-working, dedicated, focused, and attentive to detail.
Awards
- Army Commendation Medal, 2021
- Meritorious Service Medal, 2022
- Best Training Program, United States Army, 2021
Memberships
Being an active participant in professional or nonprofit organizations shows your dedication and eagerness to learn and grow within your profession.
Memberships also display collaborative, teamwork, and resource managementskills.
Memberships
- International Military Community Executives’ Association (IMCEA), 2022 – present
- Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Associate Member, 2020 – present
Activities
Under Activities, you might include any volunteer positions or special duties you held while in the military that show how you developed skills that translate into the job you are seeking.
Activities
- Volunteer, Charity Bowling Tournament, Veterans Helping Veterans Heal, 2024
- Mentor, Veterans Outreach Program, Charlotte, NC, 2022-2023
- Served as volunteer to help organize food drives in and around Columbus, GA, while stationed at Fort Benning, 2019-2021
Civilian Resume Keywords and Terminology Tips
We have emphasized in earlier sections that it’s crucial to replace military acronyms and phrases with words that are more accessible for civilian hiring managers reading your resume.
Translate military roles to civilian job titles
For example, change your military title to a more civilian-friendly title for a successful military transition resume whenever possible.
You might have been a “Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO)” or “Senior NCO” in your military life, but it’ll be a lot more effective to let civilian recruiters know that you were a “Supervisor.”
Some military veteran resume examples of military titles translated into civilian terms include:
- Commander – Senior Manager
88H Cargo Specialist – Distribution Manager - Supply Sergeant – Logistics or Supply Manager
- Force Squad Leader – Team Leader
Use clear action verbs
Undoubtedly, as a commander you gave orders to and directed personnel, while your duties as a supply sergeant led you to tracking inventory and ordering needed supplies.
These are details that a civilian hiring manager will relate to, so be sure to spell it out in terms that make sense to them.
So, you didn’t “deploy troops”, you coordinated teams; you didn’t “distribute tactical equipment”, you ordered requested supplies or managed logistics; you didn’t “perform reconnaissance”, you “collected data.”
As another example, perhaps you assumed a wide range of MP duties during your service. However, for a hiring manager unfamiliar with military jargon, such as MP standing for Military Police, simply stating that you handled MP duties will not be informative and could even be confusing.
It’s better to provide the details of this work, for example, you “performed patrol duties; conducted criminal investigations; carried out search and seizures; led traffic stops; oversaw suspect interviewing; and responded to traffic accidents.”
Always lead off a bullet point beneath your job title with an action verb. For a military-to-civilian resume, some of the best power words to employ are:
- Led
- Built
- Trained
- Directed
- Managed
- Advanced
- Designed
- Developed
- Operated
- Motivated
- Collaborated
Need help? Want to make sure you’re using the most effective keywords? Our resume builder can suggest bullet points that are succinct and use the correct industry terminology, based on an individual’s work experience.
Common Mistakes To Avoid on a Military-to-Civilian Resume
Here are some common mistakes that you can easily overcome when you’re changing your army resume to one that is more suited to civilian positions.
Forgetting to decommission the military jargon
This is one we’ve discussed earlier but bears repeating, as this might be one of the most common mistakes when it comes to creating a civilian resume when one has a military background.
For example, while you may be used to referring to yourself as an MSgt E-8 or a CWO4 in the Marines, that will basically mean nothing to a hiring manager in the civilian world.
It will help to spell it out: Master Sergeant or Chief Warrant Officer 4. Then, detail your achievements following your job title.
💡top tip
Designations such as E-8 simply reflect pay grade and only have meaning within a military organization. You can leave such information off your civilian resume.
Failure to tailor your resume
In many cases, candidates who are creating a military-to-civilian resume will describe their experience in the armed forces without regard to exactly what a hiring manager is looking for within a specific job.
It’s most effective to tailor your resume to each job you are applying to.
You might have been responsible for performing routine maintenance on tanks and jeeps, for example, but that’s not going to help if you’re applying for a job as an accountant.
It’s crucial that you thoroughly review each job description and note the skills the employer is seeking. Highlight those skills in your skills section and resume summary to help your document stand out.
Omitting transferable skills
Your time in the military undoubtedly exposed you to many activities and responsibilities and you surely built skills in many areas.
It might be tempting to list skills such as combat readiness and weapons handling, especially if you excelled in these areas, but remember: describe it in a way that civilians can relate to.
So, instead of omitting information about commanding a unit of 200 men through dozens of successful combat readiness missions with no losses or errors because it might sound too “military”, you would instead say:
“Led teams and oversaw projects that drove organizational success.”
Useful Resources for a Military Veteran Job Search
Once you have successfully created an effective military to civilian resume, what next? You could, of course, comb job sites looking for positions that most closely match your skills and background.
You could also make use of resources that are designed specifically for military veterans seeking employment, such as the following:
Employment resources for Veterans
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a range of employment resources for military veterans. The site includes links to a transition center to help you find jobs that match skills you developed while serving and to an Interest Profiler where you can list interests that will assist you in finding jobs you would most like to do.
Military One Source
Provided by the Defense Department, Military OneSource helps with everything from resume building to networking. You’ll find resources such as counseling assistance to help with your transition from the military to civilian life, employment workshops, paid work experiences and apprenticeships, and connections to employers specifically seeking to hire veterans.
Hiring Our Heroes
The nonprofit U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation oversees a workforce development and training program called Hiring Our Heroes. The program connects active-duty members, veterans, and even military spouses to virtual and face-to-face networking opportunities, hiring events, 6- and 12-week civilian workforce fellowships, and workshops.
Writing a Resume When Coming Out of the Military: Conclusions
Let’s face it: transitioning from the military to civilian life may not be easy, but with the right resume, resources, and resilience, you can successfully make that transition and start a career that best suits your skills and military experience.
Remember:
- Translate your military experience into language that’s most relatable to hiring managers
- Don’t undervalue your transferable skills
- Match skills developed in the military to jobs that are looking for those specific abilities
- Use keywords and action verbs that are most likely to be recognized by ATS systems
So, do you feel ready to march into a job-seeking battle with your own military-to-civilian resume?
Use one of our free resume templates to help create your document and check out our many resume examples to make sure your document is all it can be.
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