Military to Civilian Resume Guide: Examples & Essential Resources

Difference between a military and civilian resume

Transitioning from a military career to a civilian one requires more than just translating military jargon into civilian language. The structure and content of a military resume differ significantly from that of a civilian resume. 

These are the main differences between a military resume and a civilian resume: 

• Length: A military resume is detailed, including important military career information such as unit, locations, ranks, branches served, duties, award and achievements. This information alone and lengthen the resume. A civilian resume is one to two pages long, focusing only on job-relevant qualifications.
• Skills:   A military resume must highlight your military job duties and responsabilitis. Meanwhile, a civilian resume will be focused on the job-relevant skills the candidate brings to the table, not their entire skill set. 
• Terminology: The armed forces have their own language. The Department of Defense even created a dictionary, including acronyms. A military resume can use these terms, but a civilian resume simply uses professional English language. 
• Formatting:   Military resumes tend to be more uniform and structured, while civilian resumes allow for more creativity and flexibility in terms of format and layout. In both instances, the resume must keep a professional layout.I 2I 2I Hi 111122

Understanding these differences can be a critical step in achieving your career goals and in preparing your military to civilian transition resume. 

Military-to- civilian resume examples

These military to civilian resume examples show you how it can be done. Looking for an example in a specific industry? Our resume examples collection has them.

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Careers for your military to civilian transition

How to write a military to civilian resume

Writing a military resume requires a unique approach to effectively showcase your skills, experiences and qualifications gained during military service. While you will receive the required documentation to write a resume, this quick guide will help you create a winning military to civilian resume. 

• Write a compelling professional summary

If the recruiter reads nothing but the top of your military resume, which information from your career history will grab their attention? A professional summary is your introduction to the hiring manager. It uses three to five sentences to present yourself, your years of experience, expertise and an important accomplishment — or two! As a professional in transition, you can also include a sentence stating your future plans or the role you’re seeking. 

For example:

• Build a work history using civilian terminology 

Your work experience section is essential in your military transition resume. It will show a potential employer what you can do. Whether you name it professional history or work experience, it must include your relevant experience, the position name and employment dates. 

A key component of your military to civilian resume will be your Verification of Military Experience and Training, or VMET, which helps you translate your skills and experience from the armed forces to the civilian workforce. 

The VMET is a thorough document outlining your entire military career and it will include an equivalent to use in your resume. For example:

This VMET entry can translate to:

• Skills

The skills section of a military to civilian resume is a crucial component that showcases the unique abilities and experiences acquired during military service. Transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce requires effectively translating military skills into marketable qualifications that employers can understand and appreciate.

Once again, use your VMET and choose 6 to 10 skills for a resume that works best with your application. Analyze the job description and emphasize the skills that are most relevant to the position, ensuring that you present yourself as a strong candidate.

• Education and Training

The education section of a military to civilian resume should highlight academic qualifications, specialized military training, relevant coursework and academic honors or awards. List degrees and certifications obtained, along with the name of the institution and date of completion. Mention coursework or training that demonstrates proficiency in a specific field or industry and any academic honors or awards received.

It's essential to include any specialized military training or certifications applicable to the civilian job you're applying for. Lastly, if you're still pursuing a degree or certification, mention it, along with the expected date of completion. An effective presentation of education demonstrates commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

Military to civilian resume objective examples

A well-crafted resume effectively communicates how your military background aligns with your desired civilian career path. These examples highlight how to combine your military years of experience and job-relevant skills to show the qualifications you bring to the table. 

Career tools for your military to civilian transition

When transitioning from military service to a civilian career, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference. Counseling services provided by the military or civilian organizations can help you identify your career goals and create a transition plan.

• MyPerfectResume’s Resume Builder —   Find prewritten bullet points and resume templates specifically designed for transitioning military personnel. With user-friendly features, it helps create a professional resume that highlights transferable skills and boosts your chances of landing a civilian job. Plus, you can confirm your military transition resume works using the ATS Resume Checker. 
• American Job Centers — A valuable resource for military personnel transitioning to civilian careers. They offer job search assistance, career counseling and training programs to help with the transition process.
• CareerOneStop — An online portal that provides a wide range of resources, including career exploration tools, job search assistance, and information on training and education programs.
• Department of Defense Credentialing Opportunities On-Line — Helps service members translate their military skills into civilian credentials and certifications, making them more competitive in the job market.
• HIRE Vets Medallion Program— Recognizes employers who hire and support veterans, providing a valuable resource for job seekers.
• Transition Assistance Program (TAP) — Provides comprehensive transition assistance to service members, offering workshops, counseling and resources to help them successfully transition to civilian life.
• VA Solid Start — A program that ensures transitioning service members receive personalized support and resources from the Department of Veterans Affairs to promote a successful transition into civilian life.

In addition to the government resources, you can find private and non-for-profit assistance like:

• American Corporate Partners—  A non-profit organization that offers mentoring and career development programs for veterans. This program pairs veterans with corporate professionals who provide guidance and support as they transition to the civilian workforce.
• American Legion — Provides a range of services to veterans, including job search assistance, education benefits and advocacy. It is one of the largest veterans organizations in the United States.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) — It has a range of services to veterans, including job search assistance, education benefits and advocacy as well as the VFW Transition and Employment Resource Center.

These are only a few examples of the organizations that can help you translate your military experience into a successful civilian career. Combine their knowledge with our Resume Builder for a smoother transition in your career. 

Tips to build your military-to-civilian resume

• Choose a military resume template to fit your information and show your professional style.
• Figure out your next step. Customizing a resume for its intended purpose improves your chances of getting noticed. There is no need to figure out your entire career immediately, just what you’ll be using your resume for. 
• Use civilian-friendly language and avoid military jargon. Focus on highlighting skills such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability. 
• Include quantifiable accomplishments in your experience section to show how successfully you’ve used your skills. 
• Take advantage of civilian transition programs. The Veterans Affairs Department is dedicated to assist you in life after the armed forces, including figuring out employment. Don’t limit yourself to just the VA. Use other resources, like the Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop, Veterati, American Corporate Partners’s Mentoring program, among others. 
• Start working on your transition to the civilian side 18 months before it happens. This will allow you to request all the necessary documentation to help you build a resume and find your next step. 
• Learn from resume examples for different industries. A resume example can show you how a good resume looks and what it includes, as well as finding a military resume template to fit your personality during your civilian transition. 

Key takeaways

• A military resume is a key component in your transition to civilian resume.
• Request your VMET document before you start working on your military resume. It’ll help you translate military terminology to the civilian workforce.
• Tailor your resume to the application. Whether you’re using the resume to apply for a job or complete a college application, use the application guidelines to customize your military transition resume. 
• Use the available tools, like our Resume Builder, to write your military resume confidently and backed by expert guidance.
• A resume builder can also take out the guesswork when it comes to your military resume template. It will automatically adjust your content to fit your template and allow you to customize as you go. 
• Find all available resources to help ease your transition into the civilian workforce: from official government channels to private assistance and mentorship programs. Understanding your next step will help you create a military to civilian transition resume that works.