The Top 7 Best Jobs After the Military

Finding the right jobs and careers after the military can be difficult. Service members face unique challenges and opportunities as they transition out of the military. For many veterans, a vital piece of their transition is finding a job that not only utilizes their skills and experiences but also provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment. In this article, we'll explore some of the best jobs after the military with specific examples, highlighting how each option relates to military service, how to find these opportunities, what qualifications you need for each role, and the connections these jobs have to military roles.

Best Jobs After Military Service

The best jobs and careers that transitioning service members find are aligned with their military experience and skillsets. Each of the following roles may highlight different aspects of military service. Some of these may fit for you. Others may not. On top of this, we at Civilian Refit believe that a job is more than finding a match for what you’re good at doing. It’s about finding meaningful work that offers a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. Instead viewing these as the best jobs after the military, think of these as best fit roles for a typical military experience. So what are the best jobs after the military?

Law Enforcement

Veterans have valuable transferable skills in leadership, teamwork, and problem solving. These abilities are in high demand in law enforcement roles. Many police departments and law enforcement agencies (FBI, Secret Service, etc.) may even prefer former military applicants over civilians. In fact, according to the Department of Justice, nearly 25% of full-time police officers in the U.S. are veterans.

To pursue law enforcement roles after the military, candidate need to meet certain physical fitness and training requirements as well as pass background checks and exams. You can learn more about police academy trainings at Police One Academy.

A few law enforcement roles for veterans include police officers, border patrol agents, criminal justice teachers, and corrections officers.

Paramedics and EMTs (Emergency Medical Technician)

Many roles in the military, especially those of a combat medic or corpsman, provide valuable medical training and real-world experience that can set you apart from other candidates. EMTs and paramedics work in a fast-paced world that responds to medical emergencies. These environments offer great, transferable job opportunities for transitioning service members. Moreover, these roles are seeing growth and will see more opportunity in coming years.

The qualifications for this field are not terribly rigorous. Many of these roles require state-approved certifications and trainings. You can learn more about possible certifications at the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

A few emergency medical roles for veterans include paramedics, firefighters, and emergency management directors.

Cybersecurity

If your roles in the military included information technology (IT), intelligence analysis, or cybersecurity focus, cybersecurity roles might be a great option for you. The military puts a lot of intentionality behind cybersecurity efforts and veterans can take the skills and experience they gain in this area back into the civilian world.

The qualifications for this field are a little more specific given the sensitive nature of the work. Some common certifications for this field include CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

Some cybersecurity roles for veterans include digital forensics analysts, information security analysts, and computer and information systems managers.

Project Management

Military personnel are accustomed to managing complex projects with tight deadlines and coordinating team operations. Their experience develops discipline, organization, and the ability to work under pressure. All of these make project management a great job opportunity for service members. Veterans, and especially officers, who have experience leading teams, managing resources, and facilitating operations may do well as project managers.

There are few qualifications to get your start in project management. The most common requirements include the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Some project management roles for veterans include project management specialist, construction managers, and IT project managers.

Mechanical or Electrical Technicians

Military experience often involves working with advanced technology, machinery, and

equipment. Veterans what have gained technical expertise in roles like aviation mechanics, electronics technicians, or maintenance supervisors can transition these experiences into civilian careers as mechanical or electrical technicians. These roles often include the maintenance and repairing or mechanical or electrical systems that might fit well in various manufacturing, energy, and aerospace industries.

Depending on the specific role, candidates may need vocational training, an associate degree, or other certifications for these roles. The qualifications are often role-specific. Veterans with an interest in these technical roles should search for jobs in these fields and look for qualifications that they can earn in order to apply.

Some mechanical or electrical technician roles for veterans include mechanical engineering technologies and technicians, geothermal technicians, machinists, electrical and electronic engineering technologies and technicians, and electricians.

Supply Chain and Logistics

Organization and logistics are key staples of military service. Military logistics often require detailed planning, coordination, and execution to facilitate a variety of activities. Veterans with experience in logistics, transportation, and supply chain management can use these transferable skills to secure similar roles in the civilian world.

A bachelor’s degree in logistics, business, or other related fields tend to be preferred in this field. However, your military experience and qualifications may also help offset some of these and provide other opportunities if you do not have the specific degrees.

Some supply chain and logistics roles for veterans include supply chain managers, logistics analysts, and transportation managers.

Fitness Coach or Trainer

Physical fitness is a requirement for military service. Veterans who have focused on the areas of physical fitness and wellness during their military careers may be well-suited to civilian roles as a fitness coach or trainer. The discipline and experience of sustainable physical fitness in military service offers a great foundation for these civilian roles.

While there are some certifications that can be obtained, practical experience and knowledge are key components of a successful application. You might look at the National Academy of Sport Medicine (NASM) or the American Council on Exercise (ACE) for two of the more common certifications.

Some common fitness trainer or coach roles for veterans include personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, physical education teachers, and fitness and wellness coordinators.

Final Word on Jobs After the Military

Transitioning from military service to the civilian world can be a challenge, but service members are equipped with valuable skills and training that not only qualify them for important roles, but even give them an edge in the application process. Understand which roles are best for you is not about just picking something from this list and hoping for the best. It’s about aligning your unique experiences and skills, along with your sense of purpose and knowledge of what makes work meaningful for you.

If you are struggling at all to discover work worth doing or are feeling anxiety over finding the best jobs after the military, check out our programs at Civilian Refit. We have designed our programs to help you discover more about who you are, what work fits best for you, and how you can begin your transition process with a higher chance of success. We’ll see you there.