Should I put my military service on my resume?

Yes, you should put your military service on your resume. Your military service is an asset because many employers value the skills and experience veterans possess. When putting your military experience on your resume, make sure to: use a military skills translator to find and highlight any transferrable hard and soft skills you gained from your military experience translate military terms , jargon, and other common military acronyms into civilian-friendly language that a hiring manager will understand convert military ranks into civilian job titles omit any combat or otherwise graphic details Additionally, when including your accomplishments and work history in your military experience, use hard numbers and include action verbs instead of phrases such as “responsible for” and “duties included.”

Where do you put military experience on a resume?

You put military experience on a resume in different sections depending on the position you’re applying for. If your military experience is highly relevant to the job you’re applying for, mention it in both your resume summary and your work experience section. If it’s less relevant to the role, only include it in your experience section and focus on highlighting transferable skills you gained that will help you in your new job.

What subject does military experience fall under on a resume?

Military experience falls under the subject “work experience” on a resume most of the time. Alternatively, if you attended a military academy, include your military experience in your education section. You can also add any military awards in a separate “Awards” section.

How to Put Military Experience On Your Resume

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Should you put military experience on your resume?

Yes, military service is considered work experience and should absolutely be included on your resume.

Some employers view military experience as proof of discipline and a strong work ethic, but it won’t replace job-specific qualifications. For example, if a hiring manager is seeking SQL expertise, they won’t overlook that requirement just because of your military background. Connect your experience to the specific job needs.

Many companies actively recruit veterans through dedicated hiring programs, recognizing the strong performance and leadership potential that comes with military service. Your experience can be an advantage with these organizations, especially when you demonstrate how your background fits their requirements.

How to list military experience on your resume

Follow these seven steps to present your military experience effectively on a civilian resume:

1. Put your military service in your work experience section

List your military positions chronologically in the work experience section of your resume, using the same format as civilian jobs. Make sure to include the following details:

Rank
Branch
Location
Dates of service
Positions held
Quantified accomplishments with hard numbers

Here’s an example of a strong work experience section for a veteran applying for a civilian job:

WORK EXPERIENCE

Staff Sergeant, Operations Supervisor
United States Marine Corps, Camp Pendleton, CA
March 20XX – Present

Coordinate logistics operations for 200+ personnel, managing $3M in equipment and supplies
Train and supervise 15 junior staff members in inventory management and safety protocols
Reduce supply chain delays by 40% through implementation of a new tracking system; recognized with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for operational excellence

Sergeant, Logistics Specialist
United States Marine Corps, Camp Lejeune, NC
June 20XX – February 20XX

Managed procurement and distribution for a large operational team
Maintained 98% inventory accuracy across 5,000+ line items
Collaborated with vendors to negotiate contracts and resolve delivery issues

Listing your military experience in the work experience section ensures employers recognize it as legitimate employment history, while allowing you to showcase leadership skills and technical achievements in a familiar format.

If you’re several years into a civilian career, consider condensing older military service that’s no longer directly relevant into a brief line. For example: “Staff Sergeant, Infantry Squad Leader, United States Army (20XX-20XX).”

2. Translate military jargon and acronyms

Replace military terminology with civilian equivalents in your work experience bullet points. Avoid using acronyms or service-specific terms that non-military employers won’t recognize.

Compare these examples:

Military Language	Civilian Translation
Led squad of 12 Marines in FOB security ops	Supervised 12-person security team protecting facility operations
Managed BN-level supply chain for Class IX	Oversaw supply chain operations for 800+ personnel, managing repair parts inventory and procurement
Conducted PMCS on 15 HMMWVs	Performed preventive maintenance on 15 vehicles to ensure operational readiness
Served as S-1 NCOIC managing admin section	Directed human resources operations, overseeing personnel records, payroll, and employee services for 200+ staff

For comprehensive translation support, reference a free military-to-civilian thesaurus.

Afterward, have a non-military friend, trusted colleague, or even AI review your resume to confirm civilian employers will understand it.

3. Only include relevant details about combat experience

Include combat experience only when applying for positions that value it, such as law enforcement or private security roles.

Avoid graphic details of your combat experience, instead focusing on transferable soft skills like leadership, decision-making under pressure, and operational management.

Here’s an example of how to present your combat experience effectively:

Directed tactical operations in high-pressure environments, making time-sensitive decisions affecting the safety of a 30-person team
Coordinated communications and supply logistics for a field team during a 12-month deployment
Collaborated with local authorities and international partners to implement security protocols
Trained and mentored 8 junior personnel in operational procedures and equipment maintenance

4. Highlight your transferable military skills

Throughout your military career, you’ve likely developed many soft skills that employers value, such as leadership, management skills, and technical expertise specific to your MOS, NEC, or AFSC.

To stand out, identify the military skills that directly match the job you’re applying for. Review the job posting carefully and mirror the language employers use.

Here are some common transferable skills you can include on your resume:

Leadership and team supervision
Project coordination and execution
Technical troubleshooting and repair
Training and personnel development
Logistics and supply chain management
Security and risk assessment
Communication and documentation
Equipment operation and maintenance

For more ideas on transferable skills, try entering your military position in our AI skills generator below:

AI Resume Skills Generator

Make a high-impact skills section for your resume in seconds with our free software. Simply enter your job title and you’ll be matched with the most impactful skills for your industry.

Job title Step 1 / 2

5. Display your relevant military awards on your resume

Military awards are a powerful way to showcase key traits such as dedication, strong work ethic, teamwork, and integrity.

However, be selective about which awards you include: focus on those awards that are relevant to the job you’re applying for and prioritize merit-based recognition over routine service medals.

Include your awards in the experience section to show how they connect to your active duty achievements.

Here are some examples of how to incorporate military awards into your work experience bullets:

Supervised equipment maintenance for 25-vehicle fleet, reducing downtime 35%; awarded Army Achievement Medal for performance excellence
Directed facility operations across four locations with a $1.8M budget; recognized with Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for cost management

For more in-depth advice on how to list military awards on your resume, watch the following video from a Navy veteran and recruiter:

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6. List your military experience in your resume summary

If your military experience is relevant to the target position, open your resume summary with it.

This immediately establishes your background where recruiters look first, and connects your military skills directly to civilian job requirements. Focus on your years of service and strongest transferable skills.

Here’s an example:

RESUME SUMMARY

Supply chain manager with 6 years of military logistics experience, coordinating operations for 300+ personnel across multiple locations. Managed $2.5M equipment inventory with 99% accuracy while reducing procurement costs by 20%. Skilled in vendor negotiations, ERP systems, and cross-functional team leadership. Seeking to leverage operational expertise in a high-volume distribution environment.

7. Add your military education

Military academies and schools are highly regarded in the U.S. as top-tier educational institutions. If you’ve graduated from a military academy, take credit for your hard work by listing it in your resume’s education section.

In addition to your degree, you can include leadership courses and technical training that translate to valuable civilian qualifications.

Skip your basic training and high school diploma unless you lack a higher education degree.

Here’s an example of a veteran’s military education experience from West Point:

EDUCATION

UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY, West Point, NY
Bachelor of Science in Law and Legal Studies
May 20XX

Graduated with a 3.9/4.0 GPA
Dean’s List for 4 semesters (graduated 30 out of 900 cadets)
Superintendent’s Award for Excellence recipient (top 5% of cadet class in physical, academic, and military excellence)

Military experience resume sample

This military-to-civilian resume shows effective translation of combat engineering experience into civilian construction language:

An example of a military to civilian resume

Build Your Resume Now

Why this resume works:

Integrated awards: The Super Sapper award appears naturally within the experience bullets, showing recognition without needing a separate section
Strong skills section: Technical competencies like AutoCAD and structural analysis are directly applicable to construction roles
Eliminated jargon: Military terms like “Team Leader Combat Engineer” are clarified through context, such as demolition and construction work
Quantified achievements: Specific numbers (10 engineers trained, 3 junior engineers mentored) demonstrate leadership scale

Tips for landing a civilian job as a veteran

Now that you know how to properly add military experience to your resume, here are some tips to help you land your first civilian job:

Choose a career that matches your skills and experience

The most efficient way to choose a civilian career is to find jobs that align with your military experience. If you’re considering a career change and haven’t yet picked up the necessary skills, consider using your GI Bill benefits to pursue a university degree.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, these are the top industries employing veterans:

Industry	Percentage
Management, professional & related	44.5%
Production, transportation & material moving	15.7%
Sales & office	14.2%
Natural resources, construction & maintenance	12.8%
Service	12.8%

Browse industry-specific job boards to see how your military experience relates to these sectors. Technical specialties often align with production and construction, while administrative roles fit management and office positions.

Apply to top companies that hire veterans

Many companies actively recruit military talent through career development programs, skills training, housing assistance, and veteran-specific health benefits.

Forbes publishes an annual Best Employers for Veterans list, ranking companies that are committed to veteran hiring. Your military background could give you an edge over candidates with similar qualifications when applying to these organizations.

Use these free resources for veterans

Take advantage of these programs that help veterans transition to civilian careers:

SkillBridge
- A Department of Defense program offering civilian work experience during your final 180 days of active duty. Gain job skills while continuing to receive military pay and benefits.
LinkedIn Premium for Veterans
- Get one year of free LinkedIn Premium for active-duty military and veterans. Access enhanced job search tools, improved profile visibility, and expanded networking features.
Hiring Our Heroes
- Offers fellowships, corporate internships, resume reviews, and hiring events, particularly effective for corporate, operations, and leadership positions.
Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS)
- Provides employment resources, job training programs, and compliance assistance to help veterans transition to civilian careers. Offers career counseling and connects veterans with employers through local offices nationwide.
American Corporate Partners
- Free, year-long mentorship connecting veterans with corporate professionals for individualized career guidance.
Onward to Opportunity
- Free professional certifications and career coaching for veterans and military families in technology, business, and project management fields.
RallyPoint
- A veteran-focused networking platform that connects service members with employers and career opportunities.

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