How To: Translate Military Terms
A recent ZipRecruiter study set out to determine the biggest challenges facing veterans as they search for civilian jobs. We interviewed both veterans and people who recruit veterans, and of those interviewed, 78% cited “translating skills” as a hurdle veterans must overcome*. This is unsurprising considering the military-specific terms and titles that are used within the service—terms which average civilians probably won’t understand—and explains why it can be difficult for veterans to communicate their abilities to civilian employers and get the interviews and jobs they want.
If you are a veteran on the civilian job hunt, building a basic understanding of how to translate your military experience to a civilian resume is crucial. You might find it useful to include your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code on your resume if you’re hoping to land a job similar to your military position. But if you’re seeking employment in a completely new line of work, incorporating basic corporate translations is the best way to make your resume civilian-friendly. Below, we’ve rounded up the most common military-specific terms (left) and their civilian equivalent (right).
Hierarchy or Seniority Level Terms
Military Title | Civilian Translation |
---|---|
Commander | VP, Director or Senior Manager or |
Executive Officer | Deputy Director or Assistant Director / Associate Director |
Field-Grade Officer | Executive or Manager |
Company Grade Officer | Operations Manager or Coordinator |
Warrant Officer | Department Manager or Department Head |
Senior NCOs | Supervisor or Coordinator |
Infantry | Security Manager or Security Enforcer |
First Sergeant | Personnel Manager, Manager |
Squad Leader | Team Leader or Team Lead |
Supply Sergeant | Logistics Manager |
Operations NCO | Operations Supervisor / Operations Manager |
Skills and Responsibilities Terms
Military Term | Civilian Term |
---|---|
AI | Additionally skilled in |
Combat | Hazardous conditions |
Company | Department or section |
Medal | Award |
Military Personnel Office | Human Resources |
Mission | Task, function, or objective |
Military occupation speciality | Career specialty |
Squad or platoon | Team |
Reconnaissance | Data collection and analysis |
Regulations | Policies or guidelines |
Security clearance | Security clearance |
Servicemembers | Employees |
Subordinates | Employees |
TAD/TDY | Business trip |
If you’re unsure about what types of civilian jobs to apply for, an MOS translator can help you hone in on the jobs you’re most qualified for based on your military experience. Here are a few to consider:
- CareerOneStop
- O*Net
- TAOnline
- Military.com
As a new member of the civilian workforce, you’ll be asked to speak to your military experience in resumes, cover letters, and interviews many times over. You want to make sure you have an arsenal of civilian-friendly tools and terms that allow you to do this, so you can show employers in any industry why you’re the right fit for their open job.
*ZipRecruiter Internal Data, July 2018. Of 14 candidates interviewed regarding the most prevalent challenges faced by Veteran job seekers, 11 listed and mentioned translating skills as the top challenge. These candidates were a combination of Veteran job seekers, Veteran-specific corporate recruiters, and non profit employment programs that serve transitioning Veterans.
Written by The ZipRecruiter Editors
At ZipRecruiter, our mission is to connect employers and job seekers with their next great opportunity. On the ZipRecruiter blog, we use insider experience and data derived from our AI-driven jobs marketplace to provide advice and insights on topics such as the job search process, interviewing, and labor market trends. Start your job search or post a job today and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn!