What’s Next? Post-Military Careers for Combat Arms Personnel

Your career in Combat Arms– whether serving in Air Defense, Armor, Aviation, Corps of Engineers, Field Artillery, Infantry, or something else– has been vitally important to completing tasks and missions necessary to defend and protect the United States and its interests.

While military applications for Combat Arms personnel are extensive– with opportunities across branches of service on land, in the air, and at sea– you may be wondering how these skills will transfer to civilian employment.

Start with Strengths

Your military service has provided you with valuable job skills. While Combat Arms careers might not translate directly into a civilian counterpart, you’ll leave military service with much more than memories. You’ve developed numerous soft skills employers value, such as critical thinking and problem solving skills, the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, leadership skills, mission-planning experience, and an understanding of the importance of teamwork. You’re disciplined, adaptable, and able to easily and quickly learn new things.

Translate Your Rate

Transitioning Veterans need to translate their military rate into something employers understand. While you may understand perfectly well the skills you bring to the table as an Infantry Team Leader or Heavy Equipment Operator, a hiring manager may not.

Working with a recruiter is the most logical place to start. In addition to helping you translate your military skills to civilian work, Orion Talent’s recruiters will work with you to build your resume, provide you with career counseling and transition assistance, help you prepare for interviews, and arrange interviews for positions that are a good match with your background, qualifications, and goals.

Career Fields to Consider

While you can find success in any career field you choose, here are a few you may want to consider:

Scientific and Technical Services

Earn a degree utilizing tuition assistance or GI Bill funding or enroll in a SkillBridge program and develop needed skills via internship while still on Active Duty. Careers in scientific and technical services are in high demand– consider a career as a computer support specialist, avionics technician, chemical technician, environmental science technician, hardware technician, environmental scientist, web developer, or computer systems analyst. Salaries range from $28k-$80k.

Operations

Operations careers help organizations run smoothly and focus on the needs and management of their employees. Careers span countless industries and include jobs such as operations coordinators, analysts, supervisors, operations managers, project managers, program managers, and operations engineers. Attention to detail and leadership skills make Combat Arms personnel ideal for these roles, with a salary range between $46-100k.

Mining, Quarrying, & Oil and Gas Extraction

America’s oil and natural gas industries keep the country running. Operating construction or mining equipment, working in mine safety, or a career as a geological engineer are all options earning $70,000+ annually. A career as a subsea engineer, completions engineer, landman, senior landman, rig welder,petroleum landman, or tank inspector bring in between $40k-$100k+ annually.

Utilities

Utilities workers are in high demand, and many utilities companies offer training opportunities for these in-demand roles. There are so many unique jobs within this field- water resource specialist, nuclear criticality safety engineer, utility manager, power plant engineer, power system dispatcher, gas controller, and substation engineers are just a few possibilities, with salaries ranging from $47k to over $100k.

Sales

Sales roles are in huge demand with high salary potential. Little or no experience is needed and organizations offer sales training, making this an accessible career field for Vets. Sales roles that hire military veterans include enterprise sales/ account executive, pharmaceutical sales representatives, medical device sales representatives, sales engineers, and software sales representatives. Total compensation ranges from $70k to well over $100k. While not for everyone, Veterans’ go-getter attitudes, interpersonal skills, and ability to work in fast-paced, stressful situations set them up for success.

Entry-Level Leadership

Your military leadership and organizational skills make you the ideal candidate for entry-level managerial roles. These roles are found across all fields- the average base salary for an entry level manager is $46k. Gaining civilian management experience is a great stepping stone to higher-level managerial positions with a greater salary.

Career Placements for Combat Arms NCOs

Here are just a few of our job placements for Combat Arms Personnel post-military:

Find the Right Fit

Veterans who are well-matched for their role are more likely to stay in their job. As you approach military retirement or separation, consider what you would like to be doing in 5 years and the training or experience you’ll need to achieve your goals.

SkillBridge is an excellent opportunity to intern with a company during your final 180 days of service, training and learning from an industry partner while still receiving military compensation and benefits. Explore a field of interest and gain valuable skills and certifications necessary to land a job. Orion Talent is a proud participant in SkillBridge. You can also learn more and locate SkillBridge opportunities on the DOD SkillBridge site.

Ready to take the next steps? Register now for Orion Talent’s Free Career Placement Services for Combat Arms NCOs. Our recruiters are former military personnel who understand exactly what you're going through. Our corporate clients rely on us as their preferred or exclusive provider of military talent, meaning you have access to top opportunities that you would not otherwise have. Create a free profile today to get started, no strings attached.

Archives

RSS Feed

Subscribe to Orion's Blog