How to Translate Your MOS to Resume Language

One of the biggest challenges veterans face is translating military experience into language civilian hiring managers understand. Your MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) is packed with valuable skills, but terms like "11B" or "25U" mean nothing to most recruiters.

This guide will teach you how to decode your MOS and present your experience in a way that gets you hired.

Why MOS Translation Matters

The Problem: Hiring managers spend an average of 6 seconds scanning a resume. If they see unfamiliar military acronyms, they'll move on.

The Solution: Translate your military duties into civilian job functions using keywords from job descriptions.

Step 1: Identify Your Core Responsibilities

Break down your MOS into specific tasks you performed daily. Don't just list your job title—describe what you actually did.

Example: 11B Infantry (Bad vs. Good)

❌ Bad (Military Jargon):

• Served as 11B Infantry in 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment
• Conducted reconnaissance and direct action missions
• Maintained M4 carbine and crew-served weapons

✅ Good (Civilian Language):

• Led 9-person team in high-stress operational environments requiring split-second decision-making
• Planned and executed 50+ tactical operations with 100% mission success rate
• Managed equipment inventory worth $500K+ and ensured operational readiness

Step 2: Use Action Verbs That Show Impact

Civilian resumes focus on accomplishments, not duties. Replace passive military terms with active civilian verbs.

Military → Civilian Verb Swap

Step 3: Quantify Your Achievements

Numbers prove your impact. Add metrics wherever possible.

Example: 25U Signal Support Specialist

❌ Bad:

• Maintained communication systems
• Provided technical support to unit

✅ Good:

• Managed network infrastructure supporting 300+ users across 5 locations
• Reduced system downtime by 40% through proactive maintenance protocols
• Trained 25 personnel on cybersecurity best practices, achieving 100% compliance

Step 4: Match Keywords to Job Descriptions

Read civilian job postings in your target field and mirror their language.

Example: Targeting Project Management Roles

Job Description Says: "Manage cross-functional teams, coordinate logistics, meet deadlines"

Your Resume Should Say:

• Managed cross-functional teams of 12-20 personnel across multiple departments
• Coordinated logistics for operations involving $2M+ in equipment and resources
• Consistently met mission deadlines under high-pressure, time-sensitive conditions

Step 5: Remove All Military Acronyms

Replace every acronym with its civilian equivalent or a plain-English description.

Common MOS Translations

11B Infantry → Team Leader / Operations Coordinator

• Leadership, tactical planning, crisis management

25B IT Specialist → Network Administrator / IT Support Specialist

• Network management, troubleshooting, cybersecurity

68W Combat Medic → Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) / Healthcare Specialist

• Emergency response, patient care, triage

88M Motor Transport Operator → Logistics Coordinator / Transportation Specialist

• Fleet management, route planning, supply chain coordination

42A Human Resources Specialist → HR Coordinator / Personnel Manager

• Recruitment, employee records, benefits administration

Step 6: Highlight Transferable Soft Skills

Employers care about soft skills as much as technical skills. Make sure your resume showcases:

• Leadership: "Led teams of 10-15 in high-stress environments"
• Problem-Solving: "Identified and resolved critical issues under tight deadlines"
• Communication: "Briefed senior leadership on operational status and recommendations"
• Adaptability: "Thrived in rapidly changing, unpredictable conditions"

Step 7: Use a Civilian Resume Format

Military resumes often list duties in chronological order. Civilian resumes focus on accomplishments and results.

Civilian Resume Structure

1. Contact Information
2. Professional Summary (2-3 sentences highlighting your value)
3. Core Competencies (bullet list of key skills)
4. Professional Experience (focus on achievements, not duties)
5. Education & Certifications

Real-World Example: Full MOS Translation

Before (Military Resume)

11B Infantry Squad Leader, US Army

• Served as Infantry Squad Leader in 3rd Infantry Division
• Conducted patrols and security operations in Afghanistan
• Maintained weapons and equipment
• Trained junior soldiers on tactics and procedures

After (Civilian Resume)

Operations Team Leader

• Led 9-person team in high-risk operational environments, achieving 100% mission success rate across 75+ operations
• Managed $300K+ equipment inventory and ensured 99% operational readiness through proactive maintenance
• Trained and mentored 15 team members on tactical procedures, resulting in zero safety incidents over 12-month deployment
• Coordinated logistics for multi-phase operations involving cross-functional teams and external stakeholders

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using rank without context - "E-5" means nothing to civilians. Say "Team Leader managing 8 personnel"
2. Listing duties instead of achievements - Don't say what you were supposed to do, say what you accomplished
3. Overusing military acronyms - Every acronym should be spelled out or replaced
4. Underselling leadership - If you led anyone, you're a manager. Own it.

Tools to Help You Translate

• O*NET Online (onetonline.org) - Translates military jobs to civilian equivalents
• Military Skills Translator (mynextmove.org/vets) - Free tool by the Department of Labor
• LinkedIn Military Transition Tools - Shows how other veterans translated similar roles*

Final Checklist

Before submitting your resume, ask yourself:

• ✅ Can a non-veteran understand every line?
• ✅ Have I removed all military acronyms?
• ✅ Have I quantified my achievements with numbers?
• ✅ Does my language match the job description?
• ✅ Have I highlighted leadership and soft skills?

Ready to Build Your Civilian Resume?

Translating your MOS is just the first step. Our AI-powered career transition tool analyzes your military background and generates a customized resume that speaks the language hiring managers want to hear.

Get your personalized MOS translation and resume template today.