Military Resume Examples and Guidelines

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

Elmer Davis

Writing a great resume is essential for anyone willing to advance their army career or craft a military resume. Following a few simple steps can help you convince recruiters that you are the most suitable candidate for the job.

This article is broken down into sections, each describing elements of a resume, including military resume examples and military cover letter examples. By following our advice, you can construct a resume that will help you secure your ideal job.

The guide will provide a step-by-step instruction for crafting a remarkable military resume. It will definitely make you stand apart from others and improve your prospects of getting hired.

Military resume examples

Military police resume example:

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Military adviser resume example:

Felicia B. Rodgers

706-778-6491 | felicia-rodgers@email.com | Washington, DC

Objective:

Dedicated and experienced Military Advisor seeking to leverage extensive knowledge and expertise in strategic planning, operational tactics, and leadership development to support and enhance the effectiveness of military units and organizations.

Work experience:

Military Advisor at Iron Legion Alliance (Washington, DC)

January 2018 - Present

• Provide expert advice and guidance to senior military officials on strategic planning, intelligence analysis, and operational tactics.
• Collaborate with international military counterparts to develop and implement joint training exercises, fostering interoperability and alliance cohesion.
• Conduct assessments of local military forces, identifying strengths and weaknesses to recommend targeted capacity-building initiatives.
• Contribute to the development and execution of counterinsurgency strategies, enhancing stability and security in volatile regions.

Combat Operations Officer at Shadow Brigade (Baltimore, MD)

September 2012 - December 2017

• Directed combat operations in high-stakes environments, ensuring the effective deployment of personnel and resources to achieve mission objectives.
• Led reconnaissance missions and coordinated air support to provide real-time intelligence to ground forces, optimizing decision-making and situational awareness.
• Implemented risk mitigation measures and contingency plans to safeguard personnel and equipment in hostile environments, minimizing casualties and operational disruptions.
• Mentored and trained junior officers in tactical warfare techniques, instilling a culture of excellence and readiness within the unit.

Military Training Instructor at Phoenix Elite Division (Phoenix, AZ)

June 2010 - August 2012

• Designed and delivered comprehensive training programs on weapons proficiency, combat tactics, and battlefield medical procedures, ensuring unit readiness for deployment.
• Conducted performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback to enhance individual and team effectiveness in combat scenarios.
• Facilitated simulations and practical exercises to simulate real-world combat situations, fostering critical thinking and adaptive leadership skills among trainees.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Military Science, Eastern Washington University | 2010

Certifications:

• Military Advisor Certification, Joint Military Advisory Board | 2022
• Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I Certification, Joint Staff College | 2010

Skills:

• Strategic Planning and Analysis
• Operational Tactics and Doctrine
• Leadership and Team Building
• Training and Development
• Interagency Coordination
• Risk Management and Mitigation
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Crisis Response and Management
• Fluent in Spanish and French

Top Secret Clearance:

• Active (issued in 2018)

Formatting and style

To make your military resume leave a lasting impression, you need to ensure flawless clarity of the content. There are several key points to consider as you begin formatting your resume:

• Format. Choose an easy-to-read font and stick to one font throughout your document. Aim for a consistent layout and use bolding, italics, and underlining strategically to draw attention to important points.
• Writing Style. Use a professional tone and avoid slang or jargon. Be concise and focus on accomplishments rather than duties.
• Word Choice. Utilize powerful action words to describe accomplishments. Include metrics and data when possible.
• Spacing. Keep paragraphs short of no more than three sentences per paragraph. Use white space effectively to separate sections of the military-to-civilian resume.

As you compose your military resume, prioritize content based on relevance to the job you are applying for. Remember that the goal of your resume is to get an interview – so make sure your resume accurately reflects who you are professionally!

"No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation."

General Douglas MacArthur

Contact information

This part is of utmost importance as it is the identification of you among other applicants.

You may also provide a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one. Double-check that the details are accurate and up-to-date so that recruiters can easily reach out to you and invite you for the interview.

Resume summary

A great military resume summary should emphasize the essential abilities, qualifications, and experiences that qualify you for the job. It should emphasize special accomplishments or accolades attained and unique knowledge possessed.

Below is general advice for composing an effective military resume summary example:

1. Focus on your most relevant qualifications and transferable skills from other experiences.
2. Use specific language to describe your achievements and awards to give the reader an idea of how you stand out from others.
3. Keep your summary short while still conveying the necessary information about yourself.

Example 1:

Experienced, devoted ex-serviceman of the U.S. Navy with more than 10 years of military service. Expert in leading teams and providing exceptional customer service. Awarded multiple commendations for excellent performance and outstanding leadership. Proven ability to remain calm under pressure and succeed in challenging environments.

Example 2:

Boasting an extensive background in the United States Navy spanning over 10 years. Demonstrated expertise in leading operations and training personnel in a highly efficient manner. Proven record of success in developing innovative strategies to improve operational effectiveness. Awarded numerous accolades, including the Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal.

Work experience

"It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle."

Norman Schwarzkopf

When it comes to listing military experience on your resume, provide a comprehensive overview of your doings over the course of your career. It is usually organized in chronological order, which helps hiring managers follow your professional growth over time.

If you are writing a military-to-civilian resume, your employment history has to be adjusted for civilian roles, showcasing your relevant talents, successes, and achievements.

This section should include details of your military service, any civilian positions you may have had, and any voluntary activities you have done. For each listing, state the company/military base (if you can) you worked/served for and the positions occupied. Indicate the period you spent there and provide a brief list of key responsibilities and notable outcomes.

Having a clear record of your service history, as well as any relevant civilian job experience can give you an advantage in the pursuit of your next job. Not only does it demonstrate your commitment to serving your country, but it also shows employers that you have acquired valuable skills from both military and civilian roles that you can transfer into the workplace.

In summary, creating a detailed record of employment in a military resume requires attention. Make sure to provide accurate details of your accomplishments, as well as list them properly in chronological order. In this way, employers can easily understand your qualifications.

Education

It is critical to itemize education information correctly as this is often a deciding factor in whether or not you get the job.

The academic section of your military resume should be organized chronologically, with the most recently received credentials appearing first. Demonstrating a clear picture of your educational background will help potential employers understand the progression of your learning journey.

Including your army training in the academic background can be beneficial when applying for a role within the military. It reveals that you have specific skills and knowledge of the field. It demonstrates that you have been trained in following safety protocols and regulations, which is desirable to a military employer.

To summarize, when organizing education information for a military resume, make sure to incorporate all relevant classes and training courses you finished during service. Also, document any certifications and awards received.

Military skills for resume

Your military resume needs to incorporate both soft and hard skills to present you as a well-rounded professional.

Hard skills are essential in the military, as they refer to filed-specific abilities that are necessary for success. Soft skills are also important as they help to build relationships and foster efficient communication between personnel.

Soft skills:

• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Interpersonal communication
• Adaptability
• Time management
• Conflict resolution
• Problem-solving
• Empathy
• Resilience

Hard skills:

• Skilled in firearms
• Knowledge of military tactics and navigation
• Familiarity with protocols and procedures
• Proficiency in operating military equipment
• Ability to quickly assess situations
• Possessing steadfastness in the face of stress
• Capability to work independently or cooperatively
• First aid and CPR training

Security clearance

Possessing security clearances is important for a military resume. They are often required for military and civilian personnel who handle sensitive tasks.

Security clearances are granted by the government to individuals who need access to some kind of restricted information. The clearance is based on background checks that ensure the individual does not pose a security risk.

The two types of clearances are confidential and top secret.

• Confidential clearance means the person can handle sensitive information, but not classified or top secret.
• The top secret clearance allows access to all levels of classified information, including state secrets.

A security clearance is issued by departments within the Department of Defense, such as the Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, and various branches of the military.

The process of receiving clearance can take several months, depending on the type needed and the complexity of the background check.

To obtain such clearance, applicants must pass a series of tests that assess their loyalty to the United States, ability to handle confidential information, mental stability, and character traits. It is important to note that there is no guarantee that an individual will be granted security clearance even if they pass all tests.

Applying for a role with security clearance requirements necessitates that you include details of any former or current clearances on your resume. This will demonstrate to employers your qualifications for certain jobs and may speed up obtaining new security clearance if needed.

Additional information

You are not limited only to the standard sections of a resume. You are free to provide any information you find will be beneficial for your job hunt.

Consider these sections to be added to your military resume:

• Hobbies open up your personality and interests outside work. For example, if an applicant is a member of a marksmanship team or has an interest in aviation, this could be advantageous for a role that requires precision and technical knowledge.
• Courses and training illustrate that you possess the required expertise and instruction to competently complete the responsibilities within the military.
• Languages can be useful in military roles as you may be deployed overseas. This information can also help determine if you have the necessary fluency for working in a particular area or with certain equipment.
• Awards and decorations demonstrate that you have achieved specific goals or excelled in certain areas. By including them on the resume, you can show recruiters that you have been recognized for job performance in the past and may be able to make a positive impact on the new workplace.

Sharing supplementary details about who you are provides recruiters with a deeper insight into the skills, qualifications, and experience you have. It may help them decide if you are suited for the role.

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Military cover letter

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Constructing a cover letter for a military resume may seem like an intimidating and difficult task. Nevertheless, with the right approach and advice, you can fashion a powerful and persuasive document that will help you get an interview.

Here are some tips for writing an effective cover letter:

1. Highlight Your Skills and Achievements

Exhibit relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments that show why you are an ideal fit for the position. Mention recognitions you have gained or any specialized instruction that is pertinent to the job.

2. Showcase Your Excitement

Express your enthusiasm for the role. Ensure that you provide specific reasons why you want to work with this particular organization or branch of service. Showing your passion and commitment will indicate that you are motivated and dedicated to being successful in the role.

3. Minimize Verbosity

Your cover letter should be succinct yet comprehensive enough to give readers a good overview of who you are. Try to keep it to one page in length and focus on only the most relevant information.

4. Use Examples

Whenever possible, use specific examples to illustrate your expertise. This will evidence why you would be a perfect choice and give readers an even more throughout understanding of why they should contemplate hiring you.

Attention:

Be careful what examples you use and remember about the military secrets you're not allowed to share. Formulate your examples in a way that showcases your skills rather than go into specific details.

To see these tips in action, here are examples of good and bad military cover letters.

This example does not provide enough detail about the applicant's qualifications and motivation. It does not even mention the position the person is applying. Such cover letters make it less likely that the application will be considered for hire.

The above cover letter example clearly demonstrates the job-seeker's pertinent abilities and backgrounds. It also illustrates their eagerness for the role by providing clear explanations of their interest in this organization or branch. This type of the accompanying letter will likely be given consideration.

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Proofread

Taking the time to double-check your application materials when seeking a military role is crucial to ensure a positive first impression.

To proofread your military resume and cover letter, do the following:

• Read the documents out loud to hear any errors that you may have missed while reading silently.
• Have another person listen to or read it over to help pick up on mistakes that you overlooked.
• Pay attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, word choice, and sentence structure.
• Take advantage of tools such as spellcheckers available online.

Proofreading and spellchecking your military resume and the supporting letter are important steps in the process of applying for a military job. Employers expect their applicants to submit documents that are free of errors and demonstrate their communication skills and professionalism.

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Conclusion

This article provides detailed instructions on how to properly compose a military resume. It outlines the most important elements of such a resume and offers advice on how to best structure each section.

These tips will assist you in constructing a persuasive application that will demonstrate why you are the right choice for the job to those who may hire you.

Taking advantage of the online resume builder can make the process of creating a professional military resume much simpler. So, don't wait any longer and start creating your winning resume now!