How do I translate a military job description for a resume?

I'm looking into joining the military after high school but also want to keep my civilian career options open. How can I effectively translate a military job description into terms that would be attractive on a civilian resume?

Understanding how your military skills translate into civilian qualifications shows employers that you bring valuable skills to the table. Here's a general guide on how to do that:

1. Understand Job Duties: The first step is to carefully examine the job role you had in the military and articulate your specific duties. For example, if you were an Infantryman, instead of writing "Led patrol missions", you could write, "Directed and coordinated a team for various field exercises, enhancing strategic thinking and leadership skills."

2. Use Universal Language: Use language that is easily understood in the civilian world. Avoid using military jargon or codes. For example, instead of writing "In charge of communications for a company ", write "Managed and supervised communication channels for a large team".

3. Highlight Soft Skills: Employers value attributes such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, all of which are often developed in military roles. For example, you could write, "Led a team of X people in high-pressure situations, demonstrating effective team management and decision making."

4. Quantify Achievements: Where possible, use hard numbers and statistics to show the impact you made in your role. For instance, rather than writing "Reduced errors", you could write, "Implemented a new process that cut errors by 50%."

5. Tailor your Resume: Be sure to tailor your resume to each job you apply for. Look closely at the job posting and identify keyword phrases or skills that seem important to the role. Match these with your own skills and experience.

It can be difficult to translate military experience into civilian terms, but with a bit of thought, it's definitely possible. Remember, the goal is to help civilian employers see the incredible value your military experience brings to their organization.