How to Add Military Experience to a Resume: A Comprehensive Guide

Transitioning from military service to the civilian workforce can be a significant step. One of the key elements in making this transition successful is crafting a resume that effectively highlights your military experience in a way that civilian employers can understand and appreciate. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to help you translate your military skills and accomplishments into a compelling resume that showcases your value to potential employers.

Understanding the Challenge

The biggest hurdle in adding military experience to a resume is the difference in language and context between the military and civilian worlds. Military jargon, acronyms, and specific roles are often unfamiliar to civilian hiring managers. Therefore, it’s crucial to translate your military experience into civilian-friendly terms, emphasizing transferable skills and quantifiable achievements. Simply listing your military rank and duties isn’t enough; you need to actively demonstrate how your military experience has prepared you for civilian roles.

Step 1: Decipher Your Military Experience

Before you start writing, take a thorough inventory of your military career. Think about your roles, responsibilities, training, and accomplishments. Don’t just focus on your job titles; delve into the specific tasks you performed and the skills you used. Here’s how to break down your military experience:

1.1. List Your Military Positions:

• Include your rank: Provide your full rank (e.g., Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain) for each position held.
• State your job title: While military job titles might not translate directly, list them accurately (e.g., Infantryman, Logistics Specialist, Intelligence Officer).
• Specify your dates of service: Use the exact start and end dates (month and year) for each position.
• Identify your branch: Clearly state which branch of the military you served in (e.g., U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard).

1.2. Identify Key Duties and Responsibilities:

This is where you start to delve into the details of your military experience. For each position, create a list of your key duties and responsibilities. Use action verbs to describe what you did. For example, instead of just saying “Managed personnel,” try “Supervised and led a team of 10 soldiers in daily operations.” Consider these questions to help you generate ideas:

• What were your daily tasks?
• What projects did you work on?
• What equipment or technologies did you use?
• What types of decisions did you make?
• What were your specific goals and objectives?

1.3. Highlight Accomplishments and Achievements:

Don’t just list what you did; highlight how well you did it. Focus on accomplishments rather than just duties. Think about situations where you went above and beyond, solved problems, or achieved notable results. Use quantifiable data whenever possible. For example, instead of “Responsible for inventory,” try “Managed a $2 million inventory, reducing loss by 15%.” Here are some ideas to consider:

• Did you receive any awards, commendations, or recognitions?
• Did you meet or exceed any performance goals?
• Did you implement any new procedures or improvements?
• Did you lead successful teams or missions?
• Did you train or mentor others?

1.4. Identify Transferable Skills:

The most crucial step is identifying the transferable skills you gained in the military that are valuable to civilian employers. Transferable skills are abilities that can be applied across different roles and industries. Here are some common transferable skills gained in the military, and examples of how to phrase them on your resume:

• Leadership: “Led a team of 20 individuals in a high-pressure environment”, “Developed and implemented training programs for junior personnel”.
• Teamwork: “Collaborated effectively with a diverse team to achieve mission objectives”, “Operated in a team-oriented environment to maintain operational readiness”.
• Problem-Solving: “Analyzed complex situations and developed effective solutions”, “Quickly resolved critical issues under time constraints”.
• Communication: “Effectively communicated technical information to diverse audiences”, “Provided clear and concise oral and written instructions”.
• Adaptability: “Quickly adapted to changing priorities and environments”, “Demonstrated flexibility in response to unforeseen challenges”.
• Time Management: “Successfully managed multiple tasks simultaneously while meeting strict deadlines”, “Prioritized tasks effectively to ensure mission success”.
• Project Management: “Managed large-scale logistical projects from planning to completion”, “Coordinated project resources and ensured timely delivery of results”.
• Attention to Detail: “Maintained meticulous records and ensured accuracy in all reporting”, “Conducted thorough inspections and adherence to protocol”.
• Technical Skills: (Specific to your role): “Proficient in the operation and maintenance of heavy machinery”, “Skilled in network administration and cybersecurity protocols”.
• Discipline: “Maintained a high level of discipline and adherence to standards”, “Demonstrated a strong work ethic and commitment to mission objectives”

Step 2: Crafting Your Resume Sections

Once you have deciphered your military experience, you can begin crafting your resume. Here’s how to approach different resume sections:

2.1. Contact Information:

• Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, and LinkedIn profile URL.
• Consider adding your current city and state (optional).

2.2. Professional Summary/Objective:

This is your chance to make a strong first impression. Here are a few approaches you can take:

• Summary: Use this option if you have more than a few years of experience. It should be a brief paragraph that highlights your key skills and accomplishments and how they align with the jobs you are targeting. Focus on transferable skills and your career goals. For example: “Highly motivated and results-oriented military veteran with 8+ years of leadership experience in high-pressure environments. Proven ability to lead diverse teams, solve complex problems, and achieve challenging goals. Seeking a position where my skills in leadership, project management, and communication can contribute to the success of a dynamic organization.”
• Objective: Use this if you have less experience. An objective statement should be a brief statement of your goals, but still relevant to the roles you’re pursuing. For Example: “Seeking an entry level management role where my experience in logistical coordination, team leadership and problem solving can be utilized effectively.”
• Tailor it: Customize this section for each specific job you apply for. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the requirements.

2.3. Military Experience (Professional Experience Section):

You can choose to combine your military experience with civilian experience in one section or keep them separate. Here’s how to format it:

• Position Title: Use your military title and a civilian equivalent if it helps clarity. Example: “Logistics Specialist / Supply Chain Coordinator”
• Military Branch and Unit/Location: Include your branch, and if you feel it adds value, the specific unit, base or duty station.
• Dates of Service: Use the same dates you listed previously.
• Description: Here’s where you detail your responsibilities and achievements using the information from step 1. Remember to use civilian language, action verbs, and quantifiable results. For Example:
  • Instead of: “Managed a squad of 10”
  • Try: “Supervised and mentored a team of 10 personnel, providing performance feedback and ensuring effective mission execution.”
  • Instead of: “Conducted maintenance on equipment”
  • Try: “Performed routine and preventative maintenance on complex equipment, ensuring operational readiness and reducing equipment downtime by 10%.”
• Use bullet points: Keep each bullet point concise and focused on a single achievement or responsibility.

2.4. Civilian Experience (If Applicable):

If you have any previous civilian work experience, list it after your military experience, following a similar format. Focus on transferable skills and accomplishments.

2.5. Education:

• List any degrees you’ve earned, including your major and the institution.
• Mention any relevant military training or certifications, such as advanced technical courses, leadership training, or security clearances.
• Include the names of the courses, dates of completion, and locations.
• If applicable, include community college credits earned in the service.

2.6. Skills:

Create a dedicated skills section to highlight both hard and soft skills. This section should include:

• Hard Skills: These are technical skills, such as proficiency in specific software, equipment, or technical procedures.
• Soft Skills: These are personal attributes and interpersonal abilities, like leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Tailor it: Just like the summary section, tailor the skills section to fit the jobs you’re pursuing, looking closely at keywords in the job description.

2.7. Optional Sections:

Depending on your background and the jobs you are applying for, consider adding these sections:

• Awards and Recognition: List any military awards or commendations. Consider the relevance of these to the specific roles.
• Volunteer Experience: If you have any volunteer experience, especially related to your field of interest, be sure to include it.
• Security Clearance: If you have an active security clearance, list the level and type.
• Languages: If you are proficient in other languages, mention them here.

Step 3: Formatting and Proofreading

The appearance and clarity of your resume are just as important as the content. Here are some formatting and proofreading guidelines:

3.1. Formatting:

• Choose a clean and professional font: such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
• Use consistent formatting: Be consistent with font sizes, bolding, bullet points, and spacing throughout your resume.
• Use clear section headers: Make it easy for hiring managers to navigate your resume.
• Use white space effectively: Don’t overcrowd your resume; allow for white space to make it more readable.
• Keep it concise: Aim for a maximum of two pages unless you have substantial and relevant experience. For entry-level positions, keep it to one page.
• Save it as a PDF: To preserve formatting, save your resume as a PDF before submitting it.

3.2. Proofreading:

• Proofread carefully: Mistakes on a resume are an immediate red flag. Proofread your resume multiple times.
• Use a grammar and spell checker: Tools like Grammarly can be helpful in identifying errors.
• Ask for feedback: Have a trusted friend, family member, or career counselor review your resume for errors and clarity.
• Review it one last time before sending: It’s worth one last pass to catch any potential errors.

Step 4: Tailor Your Resume for Each Application

One of the most important things to understand about resumes is that they aren’t generic documents. You should tailor your resume for each specific job application. This means:

• Read the job description carefully: Identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is looking for.
• Use keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description into your resume to help it pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Highlight relevant experience: Focus on the experience and skills that are most directly related to the specific job.
• Adjust your summary/objective statement: Tailor it to address the specific needs and requirements of the employer.

Key Takeaways

Adding military experience to a resume requires careful translation, strategic organization, and effective communication. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a resume that showcases your military background as a valuable asset to civilian employers. Remember to translate your military experience into civilian-friendly terms, emphasize transferable skills, and use quantifiable achievements. Take the time to tailor each resume for specific job applications and proofread thoroughly before submitting. Good luck on your journey!

Additional Resources

• Military-to-Civilian Skills Translator: Use online tools that help you identify the civilian equivalents of military jobs and skills.
• Career Counselors: Seek out career counselors who specialize in helping veterans transition to civilian careers.
• Veteran Organizations: Connect with veteran organizations that offer career support, networking opportunities, and job boards.
• LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field and explore relevant job postings.

By understanding these steps and dedicating the time required, you can create a compelling resume that highlights your military experience and opens doors to new career opportunities. Remember that your service has provided you with invaluable skills and experiences, and presenting them strategically will make you a highly desirable candidate. Embrace this journey, and celebrate your progress!