I'm considering joining the military but am curious about which military roles are most comparable to civilian jobs. Can anyone share examples of military positions and their civilian equivalents, especially in fields like tech or engineering?
Indeed, many military jobs do have civilian counterparts. With your interest in tech or engineering, here are few examples:
- Military IT Specialist: If you're interested in information technology, a role as an IT specialist in the military could translate into a civilian role like an IT Manager or Network Administrator in the civilian world. This role involves managing and troubleshooting networks, hardware, and software.
- Avionics Technician: In the military, avionics technicians repair and maintain electronic systems in military aircraft. In the civilian world, this could translate to a career as an Avionics Equipment Repairer or a role in the Aviation industry, maintaining commercial aircraft systems.
- Combat Engineer: Combat engineers often handle construction and demolition tasks under combat conditions. In the civilian world, they might find work as civil engineers or construction project managers. They could also specialize in a variety of fields, from environmental to structural engineering.
- Signal Officer: Signal Officers in the military work with communication systems, managing the setup, operation, and maintenance of all systems. After leaving the military, these skills could allow a position as a Communications or Networking Engineer in a civilian company.
- Nuclear Engineer: Some military branches have positions related to nuclear engineering and operation, such as the Navy's nuclear-propulsion program. These military roles can later transition into nuclear engineering positions in various industries, from energy to public policy.
Do note that often, individual skills and qualifications–gained from formal education, on-the-job training, and practical experience—will determine the ease at which a military role can transition to a civilian job. And of course, this is not an exhaustive list of all the tech and engineering roles in the military! Be sure to explore the multitude of career paths available as they each offer unique skills and experiences.
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