Translating army service into civilian-understandable phrases on a resume requires a strategic method. This entails clearly articulating the abilities, coaching, and expertise gained throughout service and demonstrating their relevance to the specified civilian function. As an example, a army logistics officer would possibly spotlight expertise in provide chain administration, stock management, and useful resource allocation, emphasizing quantifiable achievements at any time when potential.
Efficient communication of army expertise considerably will increase the possibilities of securing civilian employment. It permits employers to acknowledge the dear transferable abilities veterans possess, similar to management, teamwork, self-discipline, and problem-solving underneath strain. Traditionally, veterans have confronted challenges translating their service into civilian careers. Nevertheless, elevated consciousness of the distinctive strengths veterans carry to the workforce, mixed with assets designed to bridge the hole, has created a extra favorable atmosphere for transitioning service members.
The next sections will delve deeper into particular methods for successfully presenting army expertise on a resume, together with translating army jargon, quantifying achievements, and tailoring the resume to particular job descriptions.
1. Translate Navy Jargon
Readability is paramount when presenting army expertise to civilian employers. Navy jargon, whereas commonplace inside the armed forces, can create confusion and obscure invaluable abilities and expertise. Translating this specialised terminology into civilian-equivalent phrases is crucial for guaranteeing recruiters and hiring managers perceive the relevance of a candidate’s background. For instance, referencing “MOS 11B” provides little perception to a civilian recruiter, whereas stating “Infantryman, specializing in small unit ways and fight operations” clearly communicates the function and skillset. Equally, changing “CONUS” with “Continental United States” avoids ambiguity and ensures clear communication.
Failure to translate jargon can result in a resume being ignored or misunderstood. A civilian recruiter might lack the time or assets to decipher army acronyms and terminology, doubtlessly resulting in certified candidates being dismissed. Conversely, successfully translating jargon showcases a candidate’s skill to adapt communication to totally different audiences, a invaluable ability in any civilian office. Contemplate a candidate itemizing “qualification with the M4 carbine.” Whereas informative inside a army context, a civilian employer would possibly higher perceive the phrase “proficient with small arms weapon methods.” This translation clarifies the ability and avoids potential misinterpretations. Moreover, utilizing clear language helps reveal crucial considering and communication abilities, additional enhancing the candidate’s profile.
Efficient translation of army jargon instantly contributes to a stronger, extra impactful resume. This apply ensures readability, highlights related abilities, and demonstrates adaptability, growing the probability of securing an interview. This translation course of requires cautious consideration of the audience and the particular necessities of the specified civilian function. Assets like military-to-civilian occupation translators and veteran-focused resume writing guides can help on this essential side of resume preparation.
2. Quantify Achievements
Quantifying achievements is essential for successfully translating army expertise onto a resume. Whereas army descriptions usually give attention to duties and duties, civilian employers search concrete proof of affect and outcomes. Quantifiable achievements present tangible proof of abilities and talents, enabling employers to evaluate a candidate’s potential contribution.
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Efficiency Metrics:
Utilizing metrics provides weight to accomplishments. Quite than stating “answerable for automobile upkeep,” a quantifiable assertion like “lowered automobile downtime by 15% via preventative upkeep applications” demonstrates a tangible affect. This data-driven method supplies employers with clear proof of a candidate’s effectiveness and effectivity.
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Scope and Scale:
Defining the scope of duties supplies context and demonstrates management capabilities. As a substitute of stating “supervised personnel,” specifying “led a crew of 12 personnel in advanced logistical operations” provides a clearer image of management expertise and accountability. Equally, quantifying the dimensions of operations, similar to “managed a funds of $2 million” or “oversaw the distribution of assets to five,000 personnel,” supplies invaluable context.
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Value Financial savings and Effectivity Enhancements:
Highlighting value financial savings or effectivity good points demonstrates worth and impactful contributions. Examples embody “carried out a brand new coaching program that lowered coaching prices by 10%” or “streamlined logistics processes, leading to a 5% enhance in operational effectivity.” These quantifiable achievements resonate with employers who search candidates able to delivering tangible outcomes.
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Awards and Recognition:
Together with awards and recognition supplies additional validation of achievements and demonstrates distinctive efficiency. Itemizing particular awards, similar to “Awarded the Military Commendation Medal for excellent management,” provides concrete proof of recognition and reinforces the candidate’s {qualifications}. It is very important briefly clarify the importance of the award in civilian phrases to make sure its relevance is known.
By quantifying achievements, army expertise turns into extra impactful and simpler for civilian employers to grasp. This apply permits candidates to showcase their contributions successfully, growing their competitiveness within the civilian job market. Translating army expertise into quantifiable achievements bridges the communication hole between army and civilian sectors, enabling employers to acknowledge the true worth veterans carry to their organizations.
3. Spotlight Transferable Abilities
Highlighting transferable abilities varieties a cornerstone of successfully presenting army expertise on a civilian resume. Navy coaching usually cultivates a novel set of abilities not readily obvious to civilian employers. Straight connecting these abilities to the necessities of civilian job descriptions is crucial for demonstrating a candidate’s suitability. For instance, expertise main a squad can translate to confirmed management and crew administration abilities relevant to undertaking administration or supervisory roles. Equally, expertise in logistics or provide chain administration inside the army instantly interprets to equal civilian roles. A candidate proficient in working advanced army tools can emphasize technical aptitude and adaptableness, invaluable belongings in technical fields. The flexibility to thrive in high-pressure army environments demonstrates adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving abilities, wanted in varied industries.
Failure to focus on transferable abilities can result in underselling invaluable expertise and {qualifications}. A resume merely itemizing army duties with out connecting them to civilian-relevant abilities dangers being ignored. A candidate may need in depth expertise in cybersecurity inside the army, however itemizing solely technical army jargon with out emphasizing abilities like community safety, risk evaluation, or incident response fails to speak the true worth of that have to a civilian employer. Conversely, a candidate who explicitly states abilities in strategic planning, threat evaluation, or disaster administration gained via army management roles instantly demonstrates their relevance to a broader vary of civilian positions.
Successfully highlighting transferable abilities bridges the hole between army expertise and civilian profession alternatives. This course of requires cautious evaluation of job descriptions, identification of related key phrases, and clear articulation of how army expertise interprets to these necessities. Doing so maximizes the affect of a resume, enabling employers to acknowledge the dear skillset veterans supply. Assets such because the Navy Abilities Translator and veteran-focused profession counseling providers can present invaluable help in figuring out and articulating transferable abilities. This important step considerably will increase a veteran’s possibilities of securing interviews and finally, profitable profession transition.
4. Use Civilian Job Titles
Utilizing civilian job titles is crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of a resume that features army expertise. Whereas army occupational specialties (MOS) or different military-specific titles are readily understood inside the armed forces, they usually lack which means for civilian hiring managers. Translating army roles into equal civilian job titles ensures quick readability and permits recruiters to shortly grasp a candidate’s expertise and skillset. This apply considerably improves the possibilities of a resume being correctly understood and thought of.
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Readability and Understanding:
Civilian job titles present quick context and understanding for recruiters unfamiliar with army terminology. For instance, as a substitute of itemizing “11B Infantryman,” utilizing a title like “Safety Specialist” or “Staff Chief” immediately conveys the character of the function and its potential civilian purposes. This readability is crucial for attracting consideration in a aggressive job market.
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Key phrase Optimization:
Applicant Monitoring Methods (ATS) usually scan resumes for particular key phrases associated to the job description. Utilizing civilian job titles ensures resumes align with widespread business terminology, growing the probability of being flagged by ATS and reaching human reviewers. A army title like “92A Automated Logistical Specialist” could be ignored, whereas “Provide Chain Supervisor” or “Logistics Coordinator” instantly aligns with widespread business key phrases.
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Demonstrates Adaptability:
Utilizing civilian job titles demonstrates a candidate’s understanding of the civilian job market and their willingness to adapt their communication model. This adaptability is a invaluable asset in any office and alerts a proactive method to profession transition.
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Facilitates Direct Comparability:
Civilian job titles facilitate direct comparability with different candidates from civilian backgrounds. This degree enjoying subject ensures army expertise is evaluated pretty and permits recruiters to simply assess a candidate’s {qualifications} relative to different candidates.
Using civilian job titles on a resume considerably enhances a veteran’s skill to attach with potential employers. This apply ensures readability, improves ATS compatibility, demonstrates adaptability, and facilitates direct comparability with different candidates, finally growing the probability of securing a civilian job interview. Assets similar to military-to-civilian job title converters and veteran-focused resume writing guides can help in precisely translating army roles into their civilian equivalents. This important step is instrumental in bridging the communication hole between army expertise and civilian profession alternatives.
5. Tailor to Goal Roles
Tailoring a resume to focus on particular roles is paramount when transitioning from army service to a civilian profession. Generic resumes usually fail to focus on the relevance of army expertise to particular person job necessities. A focused method ensures the resume speaks on to the wants of every potential employer, maximizing the affect of military-acquired abilities and expertise. This customization demonstrates a proactive method and a real curiosity within the particular function, growing the probability of securing an interview.
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Key phrase Optimization:
Fastidiously reviewing job descriptions and incorporating related key phrases into the resume is crucial. Applicant Monitoring Methods (ATS) usually filter resumes primarily based on key phrase matches. Aligning the resume with the particular language used within the job description will increase its visibility and improves the possibilities of reaching human reviewers. For instance, a veteran making use of for a undertaking administration function ought to incorporate key phrases like “undertaking planning,” “threat administration,” and “crew management,” that are generally related to such positions, and join them with related army expertise.
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Highlighting Related Abilities:
Emphasizing the transferable abilities most related to the goal function ensures the resume resonates with the hiring supervisor. Whereas a veteran would possibly possess a broad vary of abilities acquired throughout army service, choosing and highlighting these instantly relevant to the particular job necessities demonstrates a targeted and tailor-made method. A veteran making use of for a logistics function ought to prioritize abilities like provide chain administration, stock management, and procurement, even when additionally they possess different abilities like fight operations or weapons dealing with.
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Quantifying Achievements with Context:
Quantifying achievements is crucial, however offering context related to the goal function provides important affect. As a substitute of merely stating “managed a funds,” tailoring the outline to “managed a $2 million funds for logistical operations supporting 5,000 personnel” aligns instantly with the necessities of a senior logistics administration function. This context demonstrates the dimensions and complexity of the achievement, making it extra related and spectacular to the hiring supervisor.
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Addressing Particular Necessities:
Straight addressing the particular necessities outlined within the job description demonstrates consideration to element and a real curiosity within the function. If a job description emphasizes expertise with particular software program or applied sciences, the resume ought to spotlight any related army coaching or expertise in these areas. This focused method demonstrates a candidate’s preparedness and suitability for the place.
Tailoring a resume to every goal function considerably will increase the effectiveness of presenting army expertise to civilian employers. By optimizing key phrases, highlighting related abilities, offering context for achievements, and addressing particular necessities, veterans can reveal the direct applicability of their army expertise to civilian careers. This tailor-made method enhances the resume’s affect, making it extra prone to seize the eye of hiring managers and finally result in profitable profession transitions.
6. Give attention to Outcomes
Specializing in outcomes is paramount when translating army expertise onto a civilian resume. Whereas army resumes usually element duties and duties, civilian employers prioritize demonstrable outcomes and quantifiable achievements. This shift in focus requires reframing army expertise to showcase the affect of actions and contributions. Trigger and impact relationships have to be clearly articulated. For instance, as a substitute of stating “answerable for automobile upkeep,” highlighting the end result, similar to “lowered automobile downtime by 15% via implementation of a preventative upkeep program,” demonstrates tangible affect and quantifiable success. Equally, somewhat than stating “managed logistics,” quantifying the achievement with “optimized logistical operations, leading to a ten% discount in transportation prices” showcases the direct affect of actions. This results-oriented method instantly addresses what civilian employers search: proof of worth and contribution.
Actual-life examples additional illustrate the significance of specializing in outcomes. A army medic making use of for a civilian nursing place would possibly state “offered emergency medical care in fight conditions.” Whereas descriptive, a results-oriented method would emphasize outcomes, similar to “administered emergency medical remedy to over 200 casualties, leading to a 95% survival charge.” This quantified achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of the medic’s abilities in a high-pressure atmosphere. An officer answerable for coaching personnel would possibly state “developed and carried out coaching applications.” A results-oriented method would quantify the affect: “developed and carried out coaching applications that improved soldier proficiency by 20%, as measured by standardized efficiency evaluations.” These examples reveal the ability of showcasing quantifiable outcomes, offering concrete proof of abilities and talents.
Understanding the importance of specializing in outcomes empowers veterans to successfully talk the worth of their army expertise to civilian employers. This method clarifies affect, strengthens the resume’s narrative, and aligns with civilian expectations. It addresses potential challenges in translating army jargon and expertise into civilian-understandable phrases, instantly contributing to a simpler and aggressive resume. By showcasing the tangible affect of their actions, veterans can successfully bridge the hole between army service and civilian profession alternatives, maximizing their possibilities of success within the civilian job market.
7. Use Motion Verbs
Sturdy motion verbs are essential for successfully speaking the worth of army expertise on a civilian resume. These verbs inject dynamism and precision into descriptions, remodeling passive statements of accountability into lively demonstrations of abilities and accomplishments. This lively voice engages the reader and supplies a clearer image of a candidate’s capabilities, instantly contributing to a extra compelling and impactful resume.
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Readability and Impression:
Motion verbs exchange imprecise language with concise and impactful descriptions. As a substitute of “answerable for coaching new recruits,” utilizing “Led, mentored, and educated 20 new recruits, leading to a 100% go charge on qualification checks” supplies particular particulars and quantifiable outcomes, showcasing the candidate’s management and coaching skills.
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Demonstrates Initiative and Possession:
Motion verbs emphasize proactivity and possession of accomplishments. Phrases like “Spearheaded the event of…” or “Applied a brand new technique that…” spotlight a candidate’s initiative and contribution, contrasting sharply with passive phrases like “was assigned to” or “participated in.” This distinction demonstrates management qualities and a proactive method to problem-solving.
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Key phrases for Applicant Monitoring Methods (ATS):
Many firms make the most of ATS to scan resumes for particular key phrases. Motion verbs usually align with these key phrases, growing the probability of a resume being chosen for overview. Verbs like “managed,” “led,” “developed,” “carried out,” and “optimized” are incessantly wanted by employers and ought to be strategically integrated when describing army expertise.
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Conciseness and Readability:
Motion verbs contribute to concise and impactful writing, avoiding pointless jargon and enhancing readability. This streamlined method permits recruiters to shortly grasp the essence of a candidate’s expertise and {qualifications}, maximizing the affect of the resume inside restricted overview time. For instance, utilizing “streamlined logistics operations, lowering transport prices by 15%” is extra impactful and simpler to grasp than a lengthier, passive description.
The strategic use of motion verbs considerably enhances the presentation of army expertise on a civilian resume. This apply clarifies accomplishments, demonstrates initiative, aligns with ATS key phrases, and improves readability. By successfully using motion verbs, veterans can guarantee their resumes resonate with civilian employers, showcasing the dear abilities and expertise gained via army service and maximizing their possibilities of success within the civilian job market.
8. Keep Constant Formatting
Constant formatting is essential for presenting army expertise successfully on a civilian resume. A well-formatted resume enhances readability and professionalism, enabling recruiters to shortly course of data and grasp the worth of a candidate’s {qualifications}. Inconsistencies can create distractions and detract from the content material, doubtlessly resulting in a damaging first impression.
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Font and Font Dimension:
Sustaining a constant font and dimension all through the resume ensures a clear {and professional} look. Utilizing a regular, simply readable font like Instances New Roman, Arial, or Calibri in a dimension between 10 and 12 factors is really helpful. Various fonts or sizes can create a disorganized and unprofessional impression, doubtlessly signaling an absence of consideration to element. For instance, utilizing totally different fonts for headings and physique textual content or inconsistent font sizes between sections can disrupt visible circulation and detract from the content material.
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Spacing and Margins:
Constant spacing and margins contribute to a elegant and arranged presentation. Utilizing customary margins (sometimes 1 inch on all sides) and constant spacing between sections and contours of textual content improves readability and visible attraction. Inconsistent spacing, similar to massive gaps between sections or uneven line spacing, could make the resume seem cluttered and unprofessional. As an example, sustaining constant spacing between job entries ensures a transparent and arranged presentation of expertise.
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Headings and Subheadings:
Utilizing clear and constant headings and subheadings improves the group and readability of the resume. Constant formatting of headings, similar to utilizing daring textual content or a barely bigger font dimension, helps information the reader’s eye and facilitates fast entry to data. Inconsistencies in heading types can disrupt the visible hierarchy and make the resume troublesome to navigate. For instance, utilizing totally different capitalization types or font sizes for headings all through the resume can create confusion and detract from the general presentation.
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Dates and Areas:
Consistency in formatting dates and areas ensures readability and professionalism. Constantly utilizing both the month-year or month-day-year format for dates and utilizing a constant model for areas (e.g., Metropolis, State) avoids confusion and maintains a elegant look. Inconsistent formatting, similar to utilizing totally different date codecs inside the identical part or abbreviating areas inconsistently, can create a disorganized impression. For instance, itemizing one job’s location as “San Diego, CA” and one other as “New York Metropolis, NY” lacks consistency.
Constant formatting instantly contributes to a elegant {and professional} resume, enabling army expertise to be introduced clearly and successfully. A well-formatted resume enhances readability, improves ATS compatibility, and creates a optimistic first impression, finally growing the probability of success within the civilian job market. Consideration to those seemingly minor particulars can considerably affect how a recruiter perceives a candidate, emphasizing professionalism and a spotlight to element, essential attributes for any civilian function.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Addressing widespread inquiries relating to the inclusion of army expertise on a resume clarifies finest practices and assists transitioning service members in successfully speaking their {qualifications} to civilian employers. The next questions and solutions present invaluable insights into this important side of profession transition.
Query 1: How ought to army ranks be introduced on a resume?
Whereas together with rank can present context, it is usually simpler to give attention to the management duties and achievements related to that rank. Clearly articulating the scope of management, such because the variety of personnel supervised or the dimensions of operations managed, supplies extra impactful data for civilian employers. Utilizing civilian management titles like “Staff Chief,” “Supervisor,” or “Mission Supervisor” can additional make clear roles and duties.
Query 2: Is it essential to record each army task or responsibility?
Itemizing each task is not all the time vital. Prioritize relevance. Give attention to experiences and abilities instantly relevant to the goal civilian roles. Tailor the resume to every particular job software, emphasizing essentially the most related facets of army service. This focused method maximizes affect and avoids overwhelming the reader with pointless data.
Query 3: What if army expertise is the one skilled expertise?
Even when army service includes the whole lot {of professional} expertise, focus stays on transferable abilities and quantifiable achievements. Spotlight management, teamwork, problem-solving, technical proficiencies, and every other abilities related to the specified civilian profession. Quantifying achievements at any time when potential supplies concrete proof of capabilities.
Query 4: How can safety clearances be addressed on a resume?
Merely stating the extent of clearance held is adequate. Keep away from together with particular particulars concerning the clearance course of or categorised data. For instance, stating “Held Prime Secret clearance” is adequate with out divulging delicate particulars. Focus ought to stay on abilities and expertise related to the goal function.
Query 5: What assets can be found to help with translating army expertise?
Quite a few assets exist to help veterans in translating army expertise onto a civilian resume. These embody on-line army abilities translators, veteran-focused resume writing guides, and profession counseling providers supplied by veteran organizations. These assets present invaluable steering and help in the course of the profession transition course of.
Query 6: How can veterans handle employment gaps on account of deployments or different service commitments?
Handle employment gaps instantly and concisely. Briefly clarify the explanation for the hole, similar to “Navy Deployment” or “Energetic Obligation Service,” together with the dates of service. Give attention to the abilities and expertise gained throughout that interval and their relevance to the goal civilian function. This transparency and give attention to transferable abilities mitigate potential issues about employment gaps.
Successfully translating army expertise onto a civilian resume requires cautious consideration of viewers, related abilities, and quantifiable achievements. These FAQs supply steering for navigating this course of and guaranteeing a profitable transition into the civilian workforce.
Further assets and in-depth steering on particular facets of resume writing for veterans might be discovered within the following sections.
Suggestions for Presenting Navy Expertise on a Civilian Resume
Successfully speaking the worth of army expertise to civilian employers requires a strategic method. The following tips present sensible steering for crafting a compelling resume that highlights related abilities and achievements.
Tip 1: Translate Navy Jargon: Substitute military-specific phrases and acronyms with civilian equivalents. For instance, translate “MOS 11B” to “Infantryman, specializing in small unit ways and fight operations.”
Tip 2: Quantify Achievements: Use metrics to reveal the affect of contributions. As a substitute of “answerable for automobile upkeep,” state “lowered automobile downtime by 15% via preventative upkeep applications.”
Tip 3: Spotlight Transferable Abilities: Join army abilities to civilian job necessities. Expertise main a squad can translate to “confirmed management and crew administration abilities.”
Tip 4: Use Civilian Job Titles: Translate army roles into equal civilian job titles. For instance, use “Logistics Coordinator” as a substitute of “92A Automated Logistical Specialist.”
Tip 5: Tailor to Goal Roles: Customise the resume for every job software, emphasizing abilities and experiences related to the particular necessities. Incorporate key phrases from the job description.
Tip 6: Give attention to Outcomes: Emphasize outcomes and quantifiable achievements somewhat than simply itemizing duties and duties. Showcase the affect of actions.
Tip 7: Use Motion Verbs: Start descriptions with sturdy motion verbs to create dynamic and impactful statements. Examples embody “led,” “managed,” “developed,” and “carried out.”
Tip 8: Keep Constant Formatting: Guarantee knowledgeable look with constant fonts, font sizes, spacing, margins, and heading types.
By following the following tips, candidates can create a compelling resume that successfully interprets army expertise into civilian-understandable phrases, maximizing their possibilities of securing interviews and finally, profitable profession transitions.
The next part supplies a concise conclusion and reinforces the significance of successfully presenting army expertise on a civilian resume.
Conclusion
Efficiently integrating army expertise right into a civilian resume requires a strategic method that bridges the communication hole between army and civilian sectors. Key components of this course of embody translating army jargon into civilian-understandable phrases, quantifying achievements with metrics and impactful language, highlighting transferable abilities related to focus on roles, and utilizing civilian job titles for readability and key phrase optimization. Constant formatting and a results-oriented method additional improve the resume’s effectiveness, permitting recruiters to shortly grasp the worth a candidate brings. Tailoring the resume to every particular job software ensures essentially the most related {qualifications} are introduced, maximizing affect and demonstrating real curiosity within the alternative.
Efficient presentation of army expertise is crucial for profitable profession transition. By using these methods, transitioning service members can showcase the dear abilities, expertise, and dedication cultivated throughout army service, guaranteeing their {qualifications} are acknowledged and valued by civilian employers. This clear and concise communication empowers veterans to compete successfully within the civilian job market and safe fulfilling careers that leverage their distinctive strengths.
