Hiring veterans and military-connected talent requires more than reviewing a resume, it requires understanding the depth of their experience. Military resumes often include acronyms, specialized job codes, and terminology unfamiliar to civilian recruiters. Without translation, the true value of a candidate’s expertise can be overlooked, leaving organizations at risk of missing top talent.
Unlocking the Value Behind Military Experience
Service members develop a unique combination of technical proficiency, leadership experience, adaptability, and discipline that is highly transferable to civilian roles. For example:
Technical and operational skills – From logistics coordination to cybersecurity operations, military personnel gain hands-on experience that maps directly to industry needs.
Leadership and teamwork – Veterans often lead diverse teams in high-pressure environments, providing mentorship and fostering collaboration.
Adaptability and problem-solving – Military training emphasizes resilience, rapid learning, and creative problem-solving in unpredictable situations.
Recognizing these qualities requires moving beyond the traditional resume review process and adopting a structured approach to skill translation.
Strategies for Translating Military Skills Effectively
Map Military Roles to Civilian Equivalents
Military occupational specialties (MOS) and job codes often do not align with civilian titles. Establish frameworks to interpret military experience in terms relevant to your business needs.
Focus on Core Competencies
Look beyond job descriptions to evaluate leadership ability, technical expertise, discipline, and adaptability. These competencies often predict long-term success more reliably than years of experience or industry-specific certifications alone.
Military Friendly® Membership: Streamlining Skill Recognition
Membership equips employers with the frameworks, tools, and best practices needed to recognize and leverage military skill sets efficiently. From translating experience into actionable insights to accessing a pool of pre-vetted, mission-ready candidates, Military Friendly® Employers gain a strategic advantage in hiring veterans.
By adopting these new rules of skill translation, organizations don’t just fill positions, they unlock high-potential talent capable of driving innovation, leadership, and operational excellence. Connect with our team to explore membership.
