What Skills Do Former Soldiers Offer Potential Employers?

Former soldiers can offer potential employers a variety of skills from their military experience, including technical skills, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, teamwork skills and combat skills.

Technical skills relate to the veteran's military career and often relate closely to a civilian career. Examples of military careers may include mechanic, telecommunication technician, health care specialist or engineer. Some soldiers work on construction projects to develop skills in the electrical, plumbing or construction trades.

Soldiers develop interpersonal skills through their interaction with peers, subordinates, unit commanders and high-ranking officers. Veterans can market their interpersonal skills for civilian employment to demonstrate their ability to work with a variety of personalities.

Veterans often develop leadership skills through classroom training during their military career. Some soldiers hold officer positions where they exercise their leadership skills, while others apply their training to team or unit exercises. Some soldiers are tasked with overseeing subcontractors during their military careers, and this leadership experience translates to careers in the civilian world that require strong supervisors and leaders.

Soldiers go through many classroom and hands-on training drills and exercises to develop their teamwork skills during their military careers. Tactical training prepares soldiers for working in teams and helps soldiers build decision-making skills. These skills translate to the civilian world to help former soldiers work in group environments and collaborate with fellow employees.

During their time in the military, soldiers develop combat skills that may translate to certain careers in the civilian world. Some law enforcement and corrections system careers benefit from employees with combat skills and physical strength.

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