Skip to main content
🎖️Veterans Resource

Military to Civilian
Federal Resume Guide

Translate your military experience into federal job qualifications and leverage your veterans preference for government careers.

Understanding Veterans Preference

Veterans preference gives eligible veterans an advantage in federal hiring. This benefit can significantly improve your chances of landing a federal position.

5

5-Point Preference

  • • Veterans who served during certain periods
  • • Campaign badge or expeditionary medal recipients
  • • 5 points added to passing exam scores
10

10-Point Preference

  • • Disabled veterans (30%+ rating)
  • • Purple Heart recipients
  • • Certain spouses and family members

Military MOS to Federal Series Translation

Your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) often translates directly to federal job series. Here are common transitions:

Military RoleFederal Series
Signal Officer (25A)2210 - IT Specialist
Military Police (31B)0083 - Police Officer
Intelligence Analyst (35F)0343 - Management Analyst
Logistics Officer (90A)2001 - Supply Specialist
Combat Medic (68W)0620 - Practical Nurse
HR Specialist (42A)0201 - HR Management

How to Translate Military Experience

1

Convert Military Jargon to Civilian Terms

Replace acronyms and military-specific terms with civilian equivalents. 'Platoon Sergeant' becomes 'Team Supervisor of 30+ personnel.'

2

Quantify Your Accomplishments

Use specific numbers: budgets managed, personnel supervised, equipment value, training hours delivered.

3

Highlight Transferable Skills

Leadership, project management, training, logistics, and communication skills are highly valued in federal positions.

4

Include Security Clearance Information

If you hold or held a security clearance, include the level and status. Many federal positions require clearances.

5

Document All Training and Certifications

Military training often has civilian equivalents. Include course names, dates, and credit hours.

Popular Federal Series for Veterans

1035

Public Affairs Specialist

GS-5 to GS-15

1701

General Education and Training

GS-5 to GS-15

1712

Training Instructor

GS-5 to GS-12

1810

General Investigator

GS-5 to GS-13

1811

Criminal Investigator (Special Agent)

GS-7 to GS-15

2001

General Supply Specialist

GS-5 to GS-12

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I translate my military experience to a federal resume?
To translate military experience: (1) Convert military job titles to civilian equivalents; (2) Translate acronyms and jargon to plain language; (3) Quantify accomplishments with metrics; (4) Map your MOS/rating to relevant federal job series; (5) Highlight leadership, training, and technical skills; (6) Include security clearance information if applicable.
What is veterans' preference and how does it work?
Veterans' preference gives eligible veterans an advantage in federal hiring. 5-point preference is for veterans who served during certain periods. 10-point preference is for disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and certain family members. Preference points are added to passing examination scores and provide priority in hiring for competitive service positions.
Which federal job series are best for military veterans?
Popular federal job series for veterans include: 2210 (IT Specialist) for signal/cyber personnel, 0343 (Management Analyst) for officers and senior NCOs, 1811 (Criminal Investigator) for military police and investigators, 0083 (Police Officer) for security forces, and 0080 (Security Specialist) for those with clearance experience.
Can I use my military training to qualify for federal jobs?
Yes, military training can count toward federal job qualifications. Document all formal training, certifications, and professional military education. Many military courses have civilian equivalents recognized by federal agencies. Include course titles, completion dates, and credit hours in your resume.

For more general federal resume guidance, see our comprehensive guide:

← Back to Federal Resume Guide

Ready to Build Your Federal Resume?

Our builder helps veterans translate military experience into OPM-compliant federal resumes.

Start Building for Free
Military to Civilian Federal Resume Guide | Veterans Transition | JobMatchPro