Transitioning from military service to the civilian workforce is a journey filled with opportunities—and yes, a few challenges (but you’ve tackled worse, right?).
One of the biggest hurdles my clients struggle with—translating their military job titles into something that doesn’t leave civilian hiring managers scratching their heads. So is it ok to change your military job title? The short answer is, YES!
Civilian recruiters will not take the time to research what an AOR is.And let’s face it: a title like “Chief Petty Officer,” “Battalion Commander,” or “Guardian Space Operator” (yes, Space Force folks, I see you!) carries serious respect in the military, but to a civilian hiring manager, your handing them a puzzle. They likely won’t know whether you were launching satellites, leading teams, or saving the world (probably all three).
This guide is your go-to resource for reframing your military experience in a way that’s relatable, valuable, and—dare we say—impressive to civilian employers. Ready? Let’s get started!
Why Military Titles Don’t Translate Directly
Military job titles are steeped in rank, hierarchy, and tradition. To civilians, they can feel like another language. A hiring manager might have no idea what a “Command Chief Master Sergeant” does or what it means to be a “Coast Guard Boatswain’s Mate.” Without translation, your experience might get lost in translation.
For example:
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- Chief Petty Officer (CPO): In the Navy, this title screams “leadership.” But to a civilian? It might sound like you were a nice guy who kept things ship-shaped. In reality, you likely managed operations, led teams, and optimized performance—a great fit for roles like “Operations Manager” or even “Director of Operations.”
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- Battalion Commander: This role oversees 300–1,000 personnel, manages resources, and plans large-scale operations. In civilian speak, this translates to “Director of Operations” or “Senior Program Manager.” Pro tip: Be sure to include how large your organization was, based on number of personnel supported.
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- First Sergeant: You’re a mentor, advisor, and all-around morale booster. Civilian equivalent? Think “Senior HR Manager” or “Leadership Development Specialist.”
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- Space Force Orbital Analyst: Sure, it sounds like you’re plotting the next Mars mission (and maybe you were), but civilian employers might understand “Aerospace Operations Analyst” or “Data and Systems Strategist” better.
The Many Hats Military Leaders Wear
One of the best-kept secrets of military service is how many roles you’ve already mastered. From Air Force logisticians to Coast Guard rescue swimmers, every role comes with a toolkit of skills that civilian employers crave.
1. Project Management
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- Example: Planning and executing large-scale missions or deployments.
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- Quantify: How many mission/deployments, and what $ amount your project budget was?
2. Human Resources (HR)
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- Example: Managing personnel, resolving conflicts, and overseeing career development.
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- Quantify: How many personnel were you directly and indirectly responsible for?
3. Training and Development
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- Example: Designing and implementing training programs.
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- Quantify: How many employees did you train.
4. Operations Management
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- Example: Streamlining processes and managing resources.
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- Quantify: What $ amount in resources did you manage? And can you estimate by what % you streamlined processes? Or, how many workforce hours were saved?
5. Logistics and Supply Chain Management
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- Example: Coordinating resources and maintaining readiness.
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- Quantify: How much in assets were your responsible for? What % of operational readiness was maintained?
Tailoring Job Titles to Fit Civilian Roles
Here’s the secret sauce: Your military experience is flexible. You can tailor your job titles depending on the role you’re applying for, as long as you stay honest and highlight your value. Again, is it ok to translate your military job title? Yes! Here is a specific example…
Client Spotlight: Trey’s Transition
Trey, a Senior Supply Chain Manager with over 20 years in the Navy, needed his experience translated. His original title—“Logistics Specialist Chief”—didn’t mean much to civilian recruiters. By reframing it as “Senior Supply Chain Manager” and highlighting his $115M acquisition budget and $2.3B in equipment management, he landed multiple interviews for leadership roles in logistics and supply chain management.
How to Tailor Your Job Title
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- Start with the Job Description
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- Match Civilian Terms
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- Be Honest AND Strategic
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- Customize for Each Role
Examples Based on Target Roles
Military Title to Civilian Title
Battalion Commander—Director of Operations
First Sergeant—Senior HR Manager
Logistics Specialist Chief—Supply Chain Manager
Flight Commander—Director of Flight Operations
Boatswain’s Mate—Maritime Operations Manager
Orbital Analyst—Aerospace Systems Strategist
If you are targeting a Federal position through USAJobs.gov or a DOD contractor, you don’t have to “civilianize” information as heavily and can include your military title as well.
Here is a specific example of how you can format your resume to include both your military job titles and civilian equivalent title:
Flexibility in Framing Your Experience
Your military career is a treasure chest of skills. Tailor your profile by emphasizing different aspects of your experience, depending on the job:
Highlight Leadership Roles:
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- Military: “Led a squadron of 150 airmen during disaster relief operations.”
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- Civilian: “Directed 150-member disaster response teams, coordinating logistics and achieving 100% mission success.”
Showcase Technical Expertise:
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- Military: “Maintained operational readiness of satellite communications.”
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- Civilian: “Managed satellite communication systems, ensuring 99% uptime.”
Emphasize Industry-Specific Skills:
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- Military: “Executed maritime patrols in high-risk zones.”
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- Civilian: “Conducted risk management and operational planning for maritime logistics.”
Quantify Achievements:
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- Civilian employers love numbers! Highlight metrics!
Hey, transitioning isn’t easy—but neither was your military career, and look how far you’ve come! You have the leadership, resilience, and adaptability that employers dream of. With the right translation and a little strategy, you’ll not only land a civilian job—you’ll thrive. ✨
If you’ve got questions or want help tailoring your resume, reach out—I’d love to hear from you! Let’s make your experience shine brighter than ever.
Written by Cassie Hatcher
Cassie Hatcher
CEO of Career Confidence | Military-to-Civilian Transition Expert | Helping Veterans & Service Members Secure $100K+ Roles | Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) & Certified Veteran Career Strategist (CVCS) 18,289 followers View PageCEO of Career Confidence LLC, a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), and Certified Veteran Career Strategist (CVCS) who translates military leadership experience to ensure your resume is on target for the civilian workforce.
For 10+ years, Career Confidence has specialized in translating military experience into accomplishments-focused resumes. Our goal is to help military service members find their next mission with a resume that captures employers’ attention and highlights their unique military experience.
We have a couple of great resources, including a free quiz designed specifically for Military & Veterans to answer the question, What type of resume do I need?“
If you already have a resume, you can purchase a $100 in-depth resume review with a screen-recorded, comprehensive analysis from a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW).
I also have a custom ChatGPT to help servicemembers translate their military experience.
Please share this article with a fellow servicemember who is transitioning into the civilian workforce!
https://chatgpt.com/g/g-kPGuaWsuh-military-to-civilian-skills-translatorDo you have a specific job title you need help translating? List it below 👇 👇 👇
