Put Your Army Experience to Work: Job Title Examples to Help Bridge the Gap

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Everyone has a unique story to tell, and many don’t realize that their experiences in the Army may be of great value to future employers. It’s not always easy to bridge the gap, however; how you explain your military experience on a civilian resume is crucial for employers to understand what you can do. As someone who served in the Army, you undoubtedly have many valuable and admirable traits. But these traits often get lost in translation on a traditional civilian resume. What you did and accomplished in the Army might not be immediately apparent to employers, which can be a problem when finding the right job. You need a way to bridge the gap between your military past and future civilian career. Putting your military experience on your resume effectively makes your time in the Army relatable to potential employers. Highlighting your accomplishments, skills, and any specialized training you received in the Army in a way that makes sense to civilian job titles can be challenging. Still, by doing so, you can demonstrate to future employers precisely what you bring to the table and how you can be an asset to their team. This article will provide job title examples to help bridge the gap between your army experience and the civilian workforce. By understanding how best to explain your skills and achievements to future employers, you can showcase the value you bring and maximize your chances of getting the desired job. Read on to learn more about translating your army experience into a successful resume.

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Introduction

Military veterans can gain valuable skills, knowledge, and experience during their service. After transitioning to civilian life, these veterans must find ways to showcase their expertise and translate it into civilian terms that potential employers understand and appreciate. A resume is an essential part of the job search process. Having the right job title on your resume can help potential employers understand your qualifications and make an informed hiring decision.  

When crafting your resume and writing job titles, focusing on the civilian workplace and how your military experience applies is essential. Think about how to organize and prioritize the information on your resume and how to use a job title to capture your experience in the military accurately. Here are some tips for how to craft and use job titles for a military resume. 

The first step to crafting a job title is identifying the civilian equivalent of your position in the military. Many civilian employers may not understand the hierarchy and organization of the military, so focusing on how your experience and skills translate to the civilian world is essential. Consider what the employer needs and how your experience in the military can be applied to meet those needs. How does your Army training add value to your future employer?

Ensure your job titles are relevant, clear, and concise. Use language commonly understood in the civilian job market and avoid military abbreviations or jargon. Also, highlight your accomplishments, such as awards, promotions, and individual or team contributions, to demonstrate the value you can bring to a potential employer.

Yes, there are many military-friendly organizations that have a staff capable of understanding most military jobs and specialties. A federal organization’s ability to understand your service makes it easier for you to write your resume without much fanfare or thought into your Army experience. That said, when crafting a job title for your resume, thinking about how to showcase your skills and experience best is crucial. Employers, federal or not, want to understand what you bring to the table.

Remember, most of you are competing in a large pool of applicants. Think about not only the job, but the team you will join. What do they want? Use descriptive language to capture the scope of your work and responsibilities. Think about the tasks you performed and how your work impacted the overall mission. Here are some job titles examples and Army experience from a military resume translated for a civilian audience:

• Field Artillery Cannon Crewmember: Small-group leader who leveraged systems and successfully utilized tactics to support various operations. Ability to multitask and troubleshoot in a high pace environment.
• Infantry Platoon Leader: Analyzed training needs to develop new training programs for 36.  Modified and improved existing programs while applying principles of learning models and theories.
• Logistics Officer: Managed the supply chain of $200 million, ensuring that equipment and personnel needs were met promptly. 

When crafting job titles for a resume, it’s essential to focus on how your experience translates to the civilian job market. Think about the skills, knowledge, and experience you possess and add value to the company you want to join.

Understanding the Difference Between Civilian and Military Titles

Civilian and military titles are often used interchangeably, but the two should not be confused. Civilian titles are usually based on the individual’s career path, such as manager, engineer, or accountant, while military titles are based on rank and service. Understanding the differences between these two types can help you write a resume.

Civilian titles are typically those earned through higher education after completing a degree program or other program of study, such as Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, or Ph.D. These types of titles are typically associated with specific professions or research fields and are often used to identify an individual’s level of expertise further.

On the other hand, military titles are typically earned through promotion within the military. Each rank corresponds to a particular title, such as Private, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, etc. These ranks identify the individual’s level of responsibility and authority within the military. In addition, the individual’s rank will also determine their pay grade.

When writing an army resume, it is essential to distinguish between civilian and military titles. While both are important for identifying an individual’s expertise and experience, using the correct titles for each is crucial. It is also important to note that you do not interchange military titles with civilian ones. For example, a civilian engineer could not be referred to as a Major, as this title is reserved for military personnel.

Job Title Examples to Translate Your Army Experience with Results

Commissioned Officers

Per the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, enlisted members typically conduct the following: “plan, organize, and lead troops and activities in military operations; manage personnel; operate and command aircraft, ships, or armored vehicles; and provide medical, legal, engineering, and other services to military personnel.” Below you will find a handful of common positions and respective translations.

• Platoon Leader: Small Group Manager, Lead Supervisor
• Company Commander: Planner, Operations Manager
• Executive Officer: Business Manager
• Operations Officer: Operations Supervisor, Project Manager, Project Lead
• Executive Officer: Assistant Director, Lead Supervisor/Manager
• Battalion Commander: Business Executive, Deputy Director

Junior Enlisted and Noncommissioned Officers

Per the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, enlisted members typically conduct the following: “participate in, or support, military operations, such as combat or training operations, or humanitarian or disaster relief; operate, maintain, and repair equipment; perform technical and support activities; and supervise personnel.”

Additionally, here are some job title examples translated into a comparative civilian

• Team Leader: First-Line Supervisor
• Squad Leader: Small Group Leader, Shift Manager
• Platoon Sergeant: Supervisor, Manager, Trainer
• First Sergeant: Manager, Group Organizer, Senior Trainer
• Supply Sergeant: Supply Technician, Logistics Manager
• Operations NCO: Operations Supervisor, Project Manager

Army resume job titles should be distinct and relevant to the purpose of the resume. Civilian titles should be used to list education and experience related to the individual’s desired career path. In contrast, military titles should be used to list positions held in the military and promotions received for each rank. By properly distinguishing between these two types, an individual can ensure their resume is accurate and professional.

Key Skills to Highlight on Your Resume

Highlighting critical skills on your resume is essential to help employers understand your abilities and experience. Having the right skills listed on your resume can also help you stand out from other candidates and ensure you get the job you’re looking for. ArmyConnect is here to assist you if you are looking for Army resume job title examples to highlight your Army experience. It is important to make note of anything attribute, characteristics or achievement that will set you apart from other applicants. Here are a few considerations:

• First is communication. Communication is a vital skill for any job. Army leaders must communicate clearly and effectively to work with your team, coordinate operations, and guide the other soldiers in your unit. Showcasing your communication skills on your resume can help employers see you’re an effective communicator. 
• Second, leadership. Leadership is a crucial skill in any job, particularly in the Army. Employers will want to know you can lead a team and motivate others to work towards a common goal. Highlight any leadership roles you’ve had in the past and any accomplishments you’ve achieved in those roles. 
• The third is problem-solving. Problem-solving, coupled with critical-thinking, is essential in any job, especially in the military. You need to be able to think on your feet and come up with creative solutions to complex problems. Showcase your problem-solving skills by showing employers how you’ve solved problems in the past. 
• Fourth is teamwork. Teamwork is essential in the Army. You need to be able to work together with your team and cooperate with others to get the job done. Highlight your ability to work with a group by showing employers how you’ve worked with them. 
• Last is discipline. Discipline is a critical skill in the Army. You need to be able to follow orders and adhere to the rules and regulations of the Army. Highlight how you’ve used discipline in your past experiences.

These are just a few skills you should highlight on your resume for an army job application. Communication, leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and discipline are essential for any military job. Showcase these skills on your resume to ensure you stand out from other candidates and get the desired job.

Tips for Translating Your Army Experience

Translating your military experience into civilian job titles can be a daunting task. The skills and knowledge you acquired in the military may be industry-specific and difficult to translate into civilian language. However, you can make the transition smoother by following a few tips.

1. First, take the time to reflect on the skills and knowledge you acquired while in the military. Make a list that includes hard and soft skills and anything else you believe is relevant to a civilian job search. You should also consider the specific job titles you held while in the military and your duties.
2. Next, research the civilian job titles that are related to your skills. This can be done by searching for job postings in the same industry or talking to people who have transitioned from military to civilian life. This will help you to determine which job titles and duties best match your military experience.
3. Once you have a list of potential job titles, you should also research the duties typically associated with those titles. Again, you can use job postings to determine what is expected of someone in that job or talk to people who currently hold that position. This will give you an idea of what to include in your resume and cover letter when applying for the job.
4. Finally, you should use language that is more relatable to civilian employers. Instead of using military jargon, opt for language more widely understood in the civilian world. This will help ensure your resume and cover letter are more easily understood.

By taking the time to research potential job titles and duties and ensuring that your resume and cover letter are written in civilian language, you can increase your chances of success when applying for civilian jobs. With a little effort and research, you can successfully translate your military experience into a civilian job title

Resources to Help You Find the Right Job

Finding the right job can be a daunting task, especially if you are in the military. You will need to consider the location of the job, the type of work, and the salary offered. For those who have served in the military, there are a variety of resources to help you in your search. Here are a few of the best resources to help you find the right job:

• Military.com: Military.com’s job search is one of the most comprehensive resources for finding a job after leaving the military. You can use the site to search for job openings, find career advice, and connect with employers.  
  
• LinkedIn: LinkedIn job search is quickly becoming a great resource for military personnel. You can create a profile, search for jobs, and network with other professionals in your field. LinkedIn also has a Veteran’s job search tool that allows you to search for jobs specifically for veterans.  
  
• USAJobs.gov: Looking to move into Federal service? USAJobs.gov is the official website for jobs with the U.S. Government (USG). You can search for jobs by location, type, and military branch.  
  
• Indeed.com: Indeed is one of the old, but still modern job search engines. This website serves as an excellent resource for military personnel looking for a job after leaving the military. You can search through job opportunities and find resumes, and Army resume job title examples.  
  
• Military Transition Network: The Military Transition Network is a LinkedIn page dedicated to helping military personnel transition into the civilian workforce. You can search for jobs and resources and attend networking events with employers.

It is important to remember that finding the right job takes time, effort, and dedication. Utilize these resources to help you in your search for the perfect job. Take advantage of the resources listed above, including Army resume job title examples, to help you search for the right job after leaving the military. Good luck!

Conclusion

When crafting your resume, include relevant positions from your time in the Army. Your job history could be anything from “Weapons Squad Leader” to “Battalion Commander” and everything in between. By highlighting your military service in this way, you can demonstrate to employers the experience and skills you have gained and how they will apply to the new position you are applying for. Additionally, this will also show that you have been successful in the Army and have a solid commitment to service.  

You can also demonstrate a commitment to service by including relevant activities from your time in the Army. For instance, if you volunteered in your community, traveled overseas, or attended a military conference, these details can all be included in your resume. These activities will help employers understand more about your past experiences and how they will apply to the job you are applying for.  

Overall, showcasing your military experience on your resume is vital to make a strong impression. Using relevant job titles and activities from your time in the Army is a great way to show employers how your background will be an asset to the position you are applying for.

Sources

• “Military Careers : Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 25, 2023. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/military/military-careers.htm.