How do military jobs compare to their civilian equivalents?

I'm considering a future in the military, but also want to know how these roles transition into civilian careers. What are some common military jobs and their civilian equivalents?

There's a clear path between many military jobs and their civilian counterparts, and you can learn valuable skills while serving that can be transferred to various fields. The exact equivalences can vary greatly depending on the specific role and field, but here are few common ones:

1. Infantry: Skills related to leadership, teamwork, and discipline are often sought out in many industries. Many infantry veterans find work in sectors like law enforcement, private security, emergency services, or even corporate jobs where leadership and management skills are valued.

2. Logistics/supply: If you work in military logistics or supply, it's easily translatable to civilian roles in logistics, supply chain management, or operation management in various industries ranging from retail to manufacturing.

3. Military Police: This is a direct path to civilian law enforcement careers. This could include becoming a police officer, sheriff, or working in federal law enforcement agencies.

4. Mechanics/technical roles: If you're in a mechanical or technical role within the military (such as aircraft maintenance, vehicle repair, etc.), these are clearly translatable to similar civilian jobs in various industries.

5. Intelligence Analyst: This can translate into a number of career paths in the civilian sector, including intelligence and security roles within the government, consulting firms, or even large corporations. Skills in data analysis can be particularly valuable.

6. Healthcare professionals: Many medical professionals trained in the Armed Forces are recognized by civilian medical boards, thus easing the transition into roles such as registered nurses, emergency medical technicians, and various medical specialists.

7. IT and communications: Technology and communications positions in the military transition well into civilian careers, with opportunities in IT management, network administration, and cybersecurity within a broad array of industries.

Remember, professional development doesn't end when you leave the military. Many veterans go on to use the benefits provided by the G.I. Bill to obtain further education and retrain for new careers entirely. Additionally, many employers value the discipline, leadership, and determination often found in veterans. So while there are clear parallels between military and civilian jobs, your career path can be very flexible after military service.