Updated December 24, 2022

Security Clearance Jobs After the Military

A security clearance can be a significant advantage for a veteran or soon-to-be-separating service members who are seeking employment. Thousands of employers in fields such as commercial defense and government […]

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    A security clearance can be a significant advantage for a veteran or soon-to-be-separating service members who are seeking employment. Thousands of employers in fields such as commercial defense and government agencies are seeking to find qualified employees with active or current security clearance positions. Skills in demand vary greatly but include engineering, programming, intelligence, overseas careers, accounting and finance and much more.

    Many employers, including both private companies and federal agencies, hire those who have or have had security clearances from Confidential to Top Secret.

    And it’s not just those who work directly with classified information such as intelligence data, satellite imagery or counterintelligence who get hired needing a security clearance. You may have an edge if you have a security clearance and seek a job in certain sectors of engineering, programming, telephony or accounting and finance.

    Why Do You Need A Security Clearance For Some Civilian Jobs?

    The short answer is because while you might not be tasked with directly handling sensitive data, the workstation you use, the facility you are in or even simply the overall mission of the agency may require you to be cleared to work with classified or sensitive data even if you aren’t responsible for those materials.

    Sometimes the mere presence of a controlled or classified network in a building is enough to warrant security clearance screenings of employees and other personnel.

    Why Veterans with Active or Current Security Clearances are in High Demand

    Background checks for a security clearance can take anywhere between a couple months to over a year to complete and can cost thousands of dollars. At any given time there are hundreds of thousands of backlogged background investigations pending security clearance. Employers can’t wait this long or afford the cost; therefore’ HR managers are seeking out qualified veterans with active or current security clearances. Also, an individual cannot get a security clearance for themselves. A current or prospective employer has to sponsor this clearance.

    How Long is a Security Clearance Good for After the Military?

    Generally, a security clearance after separation from the military is good for 24 months or two years, but that depends on how old the original clearance or investigation was.

    The time frame your clearance is considered valid may be less if the periodic investigation window expires less than two years at the time of retirement or separation from the military.

    If you are due for a re-investigation of a secret clearance, your re-screening may be valid for 10 years unless circumstances change.

    In cases where the service member has separated from the military a year before the re-investigation, the service member would have a year left on their current security clearance instead of two years.

    Post-Military Issues

    Allowing your security clearance to lapse after retiring or separating means you may be required to sit through an entirely new investigation process as though you have never had your background checked before.

    Why do we mention this? Because some veterans leave the military and choose to use their GI Bill benefits for college right away rather than returning to the workforce. In such cases, if your school keeps you out of the employment pool longer than the time left on your current clearance, you may have to be reinvestigated from the beginning.

    Post-military life can make getting reinvestigated more complicated. Have you become involved romantically with someone from another country?

    That in and of itself may not be an issue compared to the concerns that might be raised depending on where the romantic partner is from. If that does not sound ideal or fair to you, you are not alone, but it is a serious concern for those who must work with clearances.

    Have you experienced substance abuse issues since leaving the military that might affect your ability to qualify for a clearance?

    This is another area that can be complicated for some. A third common issue that can get in the way of a security clearance job after military service? Those who experience trouble with their credit post-military. These areas are all put under scrutiny in a background investigation.

    What Are the Statuses of a Security Clearance?

    There are three types of statuses for a security clearance.

    • Active – Present job requires use of a security clearance.
    • Current – Had a job in the past two years that required use of a clearance.
    • Expired – More than two years since that person had a job that required a clearance.

    Currently, unexpired security clearances are comparatively easy to reinstate and thus in high demand to employers. Expired clearances or more than two years since leaving the military are more difficult to reactivate.

    Are There any Other Benefits to a Security Clearance?

    Yes! In addition to increased job prospects, typically these positions can earn thousands of dollars more than counterpart positions that do not require a security clearance. Finding qualified employees with clearance can be expensive for employers who put a premium as it relates to compensation in order to fill these positions.

    What Are the Types of Security Clearances?

    • Confidential – Information that reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national security if disclosed to unauthorized sources. Most military personnel are given this basic level of clearance. Reinvestigated every 15 years.
    • Secret – Information that reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage to national security if disclosed to unauthorized sources. Reinvestigated every 10 years.
    • Top Secret – Information that reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security if disclosed to unauthorized sources. Reinvestigated every 5 years. These clearances may sometimes be enhanced by other designations including:

    Examples of Government Agencies Hiring Security Cleared Professionals

    • Air Force Intelligence
    • Army Intelligence
    • Border Patrol
    • Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
    • Citizenship and Immigration Services
    • Coast Guard Intelligence
    • Defense Intelligence Agency
    • Department of Defense
    • Department of Energy
    • Department of Homeland Security
    • Department of Justice
    • Department of State
    • Department of the Treasury
    • Drug Enforcement Administration
    • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
    • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
    • Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
    • Marine Corps Intelligence
    • NASA
    • National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
    • National Reconnaissance Office
    • National Security Agency
    • Navy Intelligence
    • Secret Service
    • Transportation Security Administration

    Examples of Private Companies Hiring Security Cleared Professionals

    • Accenture
    • Aerospace Corporation
    • Bechtel Corporation
    • Boeing
    • Fluor Corporation
    • General Dynamics
    • General Electric
    • General Motors
    • Grumman
    • Hewlett-Packard Co.
    • Honeywell International Inc.
    • IBM
    • Jacobs Engineering Group
    • KEYW
    • Lockheed
    • Martin Marietta
    • McDonnel Douglas
    • Raytheon
    • SAIC
    • TASC
    • United Technologies
    • URS

    Examples of Jobs that Require a Security Clearance

    • Accountant
    • Administrative Assistant
    • Business Analyst
    • Business Development
    • Cartographer
    • Cost Estimator
    • Counterintelligence Analyst
    • Cryptanalyst
    • Cryptologist
    • Customer Service Specialist
    • Cyber Security
    • Engineering Technician
    • Executive Assistant
    • Financial Analyst
    • Foreign Language Interpreter
    • Foreign Language Translator
    • Fusion Analyst
    • Intelligence Analyst
    • Linguist
    • Logistics Analyst
    • Mathematics
    • Network Engineer
    • Operations
    • Pricing Manager
    • Program Analyst
    • Project Manager
    • Radar Analyst
    • Sales Manager
    • Security Analyst
    • Security Officer
    • Sign Language Interpreter
    • Software Developer
    • Software Engineer
    • System Administrator
    • Systems Engineer
    • Technical Writer
    • Toponymist
    • Transportation Security Inspector
    • Web Developer
    • Veteran.com Team

      Written by Veteran.com Team

      The editorial team here at Veteran.com works to help the U.S. military community discover the many military benefits available to them. Our team is supported by our Veteran Review Board and its Standard of Care, which all content on Veteran.com is reviewed to meet.

    Updated December 24, 2022

    2023 List of Veteran-Friendly Employers with Jobs for Veterans and Military Spouses

    Military experience can give you a leg-up in the civilian job market. While most companies appreciate the job training and values that come with military experience, some companies go the […]

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      Military experience can give you a leg-up in the civilian job market. While most companies appreciate the job training and values that come with military experience, some companies go the extra mile to help military members transition to civilian life by providing lucrative career opportunities and training for veterans.

      Veteran.com’s list of veteran-friendly employers is not an endorsement of any of the companies. Listed employers advertise unique opportunities and supportive programs for veterans, National Guardsmen, reservists and military spouses.

      • Accenture – Accenture Federal Services recruited over 5,000 military veterans, service members and spouses by the end of 2020. The company offers employee technology and sales training programs and several opportunities geared toward student veterans and junior officers.
      • AECOM – This multinational firm provides design, consulting, construction, and management services to the U.S. Department of Defense, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Department of Homeland Security, among others. AECOM enthusiastically recruits prior military talent.
      • AT&T – The telecommunications company is on a mission to hire the best talent. On its website, you can search for jobs by military occupational specialty (MOS) code or proximity to military installations.
      • Allied Universal– The security industry is an ideal career transition for military personnel, and Allied Universal strives to employ veterans. In 2020, Allied Universal hired more than 20,000 veterans. The company’s careers page includes a job search tool that allows users to browse opportunities by their military job title or specialty code.
      • Amazon – The tech giant recruits military veterans to grow and maintain its e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, artificial intelligence and extensive delivery network. Amazon even hires veterans who are still pursuing their degrees. Or, you can get up to $10,000 to build your own Amazon Delivery Service Partner business. Apply at logistics.amazon.com
      • Amentum Services – A third of the global services company’s more than 34,000 employees served in the U.S. military, according to the company’s website. Amentum supports critical programs across defense, security, intelligence, energy and environment​​ across the U.S. and in 105 foreign countries.
      • Baker Hughes Co. – The energy technology company provides veterans with quality industry training, structured career development and flexible working practices. Baker Hughes operates in more than 80 countries and employs more than 60,000 people.
      • The Boeing Company – Boeing’s military skills translator tool helps veterans match their background and experience to current job opportunities at the world’s largest aerospace company. . Boeing advertises its commitment to helping veterans get the skills necessary to land aerospace manufacturing jobs across the country and offers candidate training opportunities.
      • Booz Allen Hamilton offers consulting services related to defense and intelligence. The company offers a special military forum to help service members transition to civilian life.
      • BNSF Railway – If you are transitioning from military to civilian life, have prior service, are a retired veteran or a member of the National Guard and Reserves, BNSF Railway can offer rewarding career opportunities working in North America’s largest freight railroad network.
      • Capital One – The financial corporation offers opportunities for veterans and military families. Use Capital One’s online tool to translate the skills you learned serving in the military–including specialties and sub-specialties–into civilian professional qualifications.
      • CDW – The information technology products, expertise and services company supports those who serve by hiring and training transitioning military personnel and veterans. CDW’s careers page includes job searches using military titles or codes.
      • CSX Corporation is another employer known for being very military-friendly. Veterans employed by this railroad company can join their Military Affinity Group. It’s not surprising that one-in-five CSX employees have served in the military. CSX has been named as one of the top military employers by organizations such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
      • Charles Schwab – The financial services company places a high emphasis on hiring veterans for employment.
      • Chesapeake Energy Corp. – The energy company offers specialized orientations, mentoring by fellow veterans, professional gatherings, career development training and Troop Connect. In this online community, employees with military backgrounds can connect and support each other in transitioning to civilian life and growing.
      • Cintas Corp. – The company, which provides a range of products and services to businesses, recruits transitioning military personnel from all branches.
      • Cisco Systems – Cisco’s special veteran skill matching program connects returning service members with civilian opportunities at the telecommunications, technology and networking company.
      • Citigroup – The investment bank and financial services company has a dedicated recruiting effort to help find jobs for transitioning military personnel and their families.
      • Combined Insurance – The multi-product individual supplemental and life insurer has partnered with the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), Hiring Our Heroes, The National Council on Aging (NCOA), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and local veterans organizations and military-specific job sites to recruit military veterans.
      • Costco – For those completing service at home and overseas and using the GI Bill to attend school, the world’s fifth-largest retailer offers flexible part-time hours complete with competitive wages and benefits.
      • CSX – The rail transportation and real-estate company seeks employees with U.S. Armed Forces experience. One in five CSX employees has worked in the military.
      • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – The agency’s VA for Vets has everything you’ll need to get started in federal government work focused on other veterans.
      • Dominion Energy – The energy provider offers challenging opportunities that demand technical and problem-solving skills, leadership abilities, craft skills and more.
      • Edward Jones – The financial services firm is focused on recruiting, training and retaining military veterans and helping them transition to civilian life. The company’s FORCES program is designed specifically for people without a financial services background who possess the skills and competencies to succeed.
      • Deloitte not only sponsors the Warrior Games, but they’ve also pledged to set a goal of doubling veteran hiring numbers over the next three years.
      • DXC Technology – The business-to-business technology information services company recruits and hires wounded warriors, veterans with disabilities and military spouses. The firm also provides one-on-one assistance to transitioning veteran employees.
      • FedEx – The shipping and delivery services and supply chain management company connects veterans with others in its talent community and provides skill transition assistance and application tips on its military careers page.
      • Fluor – The engineering and construction firm has numerous career opportunities that match military occupational skill sets. You can search for and filter job opportunities on the company’s job search page.
      • General Electric – GE recognizes and values the leadership, loyalty, integrity and commitment to excellence instilled through participation in military service. The digital industrial company combines engineering, software and analytics to help the world work more efficiently, reliably and safely through manufacturing, materials science and data.
      • Google – Google believes veterans make great Googlers, and tries to help veterans put their military skills and experience to work at the technology company. The company’s careers section includes job searches by military occupation code. The Google Veterans Network also provides support and learning opportunities to help military communities.
      • Hormel Foods – The meat and food product manufacturing, distributing and marketing company actively recruits veterans and their family members.
      • J.B. Hunt – The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Feedom Award-winning transportation and logistics company hires 1,600 veterans each year. It offers a comprehensive military support and benefit package, including a deployment re-entry guide and differential pay for employees on military orders.
      • Johnson Controls, which works to develop systems and equipment for the building and automotive industries, offers a variety of programs for veterans. It also has policies in place to ensure job security of members of the Reserves or National Guard.
      • JP Morgan Chase Bank – The banking and financial services company has a centralized military recruiting team focused solely on hiring veterans and military spouses.
      • Lexmark – Separating active duty service members can take advantage of Lexmark’s free, online VALORR Printer Service Training program to get certified to service Lexmark products before applying to work as a field service technician. Lexmark received an ESGR Freedom Award in 2020 for supportive military benefits programs, including military leave policies, veteran mentorship programs and a large military network group.
      • Merck & Co., a pharmaceuticals company, offers competitive pay for veterans, continuing base salary for six months after being discharged from the military to help veterans adjust. National Guard members and Reservists retain full benefits from the company while deployed.
      • Progressive – Veterans can apply their transferrable skills every day at Progressive, which offers 100% differential pay for military employees called to active duty. The company’s Military Employee Resource Group (MILNET) raises awareness promotes successful career pursuits and a healthy work-life balance for military personnel and families.
      • Prudential – The multi-faced insurance provider has several education, job training and employment programs for military veterans. Through its Veterans Initiative Offices, Prudential strives to be an employer of choice for military veterans and their spouses. The company this year partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans, transitioning military members and their families no-cost access to financial wellness education and resources.
      • Schneider – The transportation and trucking firm has military-friendly apprenticeship programs, training, mentoring, flexible work schedules and military leave for reservists. The company also counts military experience as educational credit.
      • Siemens AG – The Germany-based technology and manufacturing company offers opportunities in the industry, infrastructure, mobility, healthcare and energy sectors. Since 2010, Siemens has hired more than 4,000 U.S. military veterans. The Siemens USA Veterans Initiative Program provides free training for veterans, enabling veterans to enhance their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills for the civilian workforce. It also offers the Siemens Veterans Network, an employee resource group with more than 550 participants.
      • Southern Company – The gas and electric utility provider values the teamwork, responsibility and dedication that military service demonstrates. Southern, which is a DOD-preferred energy partner, proactively recruits veterans for their background and experience.
      • 7-Eleven – 7-Eleven offers transitioning veterans management and operations opportunities, including a special veterans’ franchise program. The company is a member of the JP Morgan Chase Veteran Jobs Mission and has participated in veteran employment programs like Hiring our Heroes.
      • Starbucks – Starbucks has a military recruiting team and supports and participates in the Hiring Our Heroes program. The company offers 80 hours of military service pay for National Guard and reserve service obligations.
      • The Hartford – Hartford recruits veterans and helps them transition to new careers. The Hartford benefits package is military-friendly, with two weeks paid military leave and up to 24 months of military differential pay for deployments. The company’s Military Community Network employee resource group offers mentoring and support for military members and their families.
      • Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – TSA hires veterans for a wide range of positions, including transportation security officers, federal air marshals, explosives specialists, intelligence analysts and other mission support positions.
      • Union Pacific Railroad – Over 20% of the freight hauling railroad’s employees have military experience, with some active in the National Guard or reserves. The company offers a military skills translator on its careers page, regularly participates in military recruiting events and provides mentorship through its employee resource group, UP VETS.
      • U.S. Bank – US Bank provides programs and policies to meet the unique needs of transitioning veterans, military spouses and current National Guard and reserve service members. U.S. Bank provides military benefits, including paid time off after deployments and military family member support programs during employees’ deployments.
      • USAA – The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) is committed to hiring at least 30% of its employees from the military community, including veterans and military spouses. You can explore job opportunities using USAA’s hiring tools for veterans and military spouses. The company’s offerings include Veterans Transition Leadership Development, a one-year program for newly-hired veterans, and a VETNET employee resource group for veterans and military spouses.
      • Verizon – The communications, technology and wireless network provider offers personal and professional development programs and a flexible work environment to military veterans and spouses. About 10,000 veterans currently work at Verizon.
      • Veterans United Home Loans – Veterans United was ranked #8 in Glassdoor’s 2022 list of best places to work and #33 on Fortune’s 2021 list. The company supports its veteran, military and military spouse employees with care packages, pay differential, paid time off for military training and more.
      • Walmart – Through its Find a Future commitment, Walmart aims to help veterans, military spouses and transitioning active-duty, National Guard and reserve service members discover meaningful futures. Walmart has hired more than 300,000 veterans and military spouses since it launched its veteran hiring effort in 2013.

      Federal Government Jobs for Veterans

      Feds Hire Vets – The U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Transition Assistance Program provides military members and veterans the resources they need before and after transitioning. The website is specifically tailored for individuals seeking federal government job opportunities. There is also a directory listing the Veterans Employment Program Office that serves each federal agency.

      Companies with Veteran Hiring Programs

      American Corporate Partners

      American Corporate Partners (ACP) focuses on helping veterans and spouses of active duty service members find their next career.

      Through one-on-one mentoring, networking, and online career advice, ACP will help the more than one million veterans that are expected to transition from the armed forces to civilian life over the next five years.

      The companies that partner with ACP give preference to job candidates with military experience and provide support to military members as they advance in their new careers.

      Some of the companies that work with American Corporate Partners include:

      • Johnson & Johnson – Johnson & Johnson offers skillbridge, sales and leadership career programs designed specifically for transitioning military members.
      • Lockheed Martin – Veterans can match their military skills to open positions at the security, aerospace and technology company. Twenty percent of Lockheed Martin’s workforce is veterans, and the majority of its business is with the U.S. Department of Defense and the federal government.
      • Nike – Nike partners with military and veteran organizations across the country to offer employees military-focused programs and benefits, including a generous military leave program.
      • Northrop Grumman – Roughly a quarter of Northrup Grumman employees are military veterans. The company offers a military career search tool on its website and a military skill bridge program.
      • PepsiCo. – In 2013, the Washington Post ranked PepsiCo as #1 for hiring veterans among the 50 largest companies in America. The company supports numerous military and veteran-focused foundations and other nonprofit organizations.
      • Raytheon Technologies – Many Raytheon job descriptions are built around military occupational specialties. You can search available opportunities at Raytheon with its military occupational specialty matching tool. The employer offers veteran employees a range of military benefits including community outreach and employee networking opportunities.
      • The Coca-Cola Company – The iconic beverage company seeks applicants with military experience. Coca-Cola’s military connections span the globe, employing more than 4,000 U.S. veterans and serving more than two million beverages each day to active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, reservists, retirees and their families.
      • The Home Depot – The home improvement retailer and services provider works with the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide rewarding and challenging career opportunities for current and former members of the U.S. military. Home Depot employs more than 35,000 veterans.
      • UPS – The package delivery solutions and shipping services company offers opportunities that build on military experience. Military veterans and National Guard and reserve members make up nearly 10% of the UPS workforce.

      While you’re on the hunt, check out these military job assistance programs, veteran re-employment resources and jobs for veterans with security clearances.

      The U.S. Department of Labor, through the Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) program, also assists in connecting veterans with employers.

      • Veteran.com Team

        Written by Veteran.com Team

        The editorial team here at Veteran.com works to help the U.S. military community discover the many military benefits available to them. Our team is supported by our Veteran Review Board and its Standard of Care, which all content on Veteran.com is reviewed to meet.

      Updated August 9, 2021

      DoD Civilian Jobs

      The Department of Defense employs an impressive number of people worldwide. There are, according to Pentagon sources, some 950,000 civilians working for DoD across a large number of jobs and […]

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        The Department of Defense employs an impressive number of people worldwide. There are, according to Pentagon sources, some 950,000 civilians working for DoD across a large number of jobs and missions.

        That is in addition to the worldwide numbers of American troops serving in uniform on active duty, in the Guard, and in the Reserve.

        If you are interested in a career in the Department of Defense but you don’t want to join the military, how do you proceed? DoD jobs are not limited to those that require military service. There is a very large pool of DoD civilian employees who make up the backbone of the DoD without ever wearing a uniform.

        These employees are hired for a wide range of jobs from admin to processing classified materials. But where do people look to find jobs like these?

        There are recruiting websites for every branch of military service. Army Recruiting, Air Force Recruiting, all branches of service are individually represented online to answer questions about becoming a military member, life in uniform, what it takes to join, etc.

        And for civilian hires, the Pentagon operates a DoD civilian recruiting site called www.dodciviliancareers.com. Yes, this site is intended to recruit new applicants for DoD jobs.

        How The DoD Civilian Careers Site Got Started

        DoD planners realized they were having a difficult time competing for new hires. Social media and online networking is something that other job sites have mastered; in order to compete in today’s marketplace any DoD job board would have to meet job seekers where they are looking online.

        Enter the DoDCivilianCareers.com site, intended to help job hunters find the specific DoD jobs and classifications they want. Job search options on the site include the ability to search by location (important because there are many overseas jobs as well as stateside).

        Official sources say there are approximately 600 different job types offered within the Department of Defense; everything from aircraft maintenance to human resources professionals. If you seek a job with the DoD, this is a very good place to start searching.

        Who Should Apply?

        There are a wide range of jobs offered by DoD but the recruiting official site has a selection of in-demand positions that have included, but are not limited to:

        • Science
        • Technology
        • Mathematics
        • Cyber and Information Technology
        • Engineering
        • Financial Management
        • Logistics
        • Intelligence
        • Human Resources
        • Medical
        • Health and Wellness

        Using DoDCivilianCareers.com

        You can use the site’s Job Exploration Tool to search vacancies in your areas of expertise. It is important to understand that applying for any federal job is more involved than a typical resume and cover letter submission.

        The website features a “Getting Started” screening that helps you to narrow down some basic initial job interests, and asks for your basic current education level and current job experiences. You can do all this without creating an account at the site and you are also able to browse jobs without account creation required.

        It’s important to recognize that these screening functions can be a bit of a blunt tool–when using the site for the first time to write this article, we found that identifying as a job seeker looking for work in the arts or in public affairs, we were routed toward jobs in the Military Family Support section and the Recent Graduates section as well as Public Affairs and Arts.

        You may need to be more flexible in your searches to get where you need to go.

        DoDCivilianCareers.com and USAJobs.com

        When you are ready to apply, you will be required to create an account at the website to apply for any position. Be advised that account creation and job application procedures are handled by USAJobs.gov–the DoDCivilianJobs.com website acts as a portal to these jobs but at press time does not list civilian jobs directly at the site.

        You read that correctly–when applying for jobs you will be using the USAJobs.gov interface.

        Furthermore, when applying for the jobs, expect that your resume will be sent to the appropriate agency for review (USAJobs does not review your resume or participate in the hiring process) and this may take more time than you expect during the application process. Be prepared for a wait depending on the type of job you seek.

        The website also features an interactive map that helps job seekers find positions based on geographic location, which can be handy if you only want to work near a specific military base or community.

        When sitting down to use these resources for the first time, don’t expect to be able to complete a job application without having extensive information at your disposal to enter into the system including your most updated resume and copies of any credentials (including college degrees) that may be relevant to the application.

        Read Job Posts Carefully

        Screening procedures for federal jobs can be ruthless–if you don’t follow the instructions on the job listing to the letter, your application may not even be considered, which is why it is extremely important to carefully review the job posting.

        What do we mean? For example, some federal jobs are not offered to the general public, but rather only to those who are already within the federal job system. In other cases, a federal job may be offered only to those who meet a very specific set of requirements. If you don’t meet that specific set of requirements but apply anyway you are likely not to be considered at all.

        Federal job boards commonly encourage users NOT to submit the same resume again and again for federal jobs, but rather to customize each application with a new version of your resume that contains only the relevant information for the job requirements listed in the ad.

        • Veteran.com Team

          Written by Veteran.com Team

          The editorial team here at Veteran.com works to help the U.S. military community discover the many military benefits available to them. Our team is supported by our Veteran Review Board and its Standard of Care, which all content on Veteran.com is reviewed to meet.

        Updated December 24, 2022

        Veteran Jobs

        Veteran, Military Transition & Military Spouse Job Information and Resources Find employment, training, benefits programs and resources for transitioning servicemembers, veterans and military spouses. Veteran Employment & Military Transition Programs DoD […]

        Table of Contents

          Veteran, Military Transition & Military Spouse Job Information and Resources

          Find employment, training, benefits programs and resources for transitioning servicemembers, veterans and military spouses.

          Veteran Employment & Military Transition Programs

          Military Spouse Employment Information

          Vet Friendly Employment Opportunities

          Career Transition Advice & Resources

          Security Clearance Resources

          For Employers

          • Veteran.com Team

            Written by Veteran.com Team

            The editorial team here at Veteran.com works to help the U.S. military community discover the many military benefits available to them. Our team is supported by our Veteran Review Board and its Standard of Care, which all content on Veteran.com is reviewed to meet.

          Updated April 8, 2022

          Work From Home Jobs for Military Spouses & Veterans

          Working from home has always been a great way for military spouses and veterans to start a career or earn some extra cash. But lately, the number of home-based businesses […]

          Table of Contents


            Working from home has always been a great way for military spouses and veterans to start a career or earn some extra cash. But lately, the number of home-based businesses and job opportunities has skyrocketed, became more mainstream, and is now an essential part of our lives.

            Check out this list of some of the best work-from-home jobs, portable careers, and additional income opportunities for military spouses and veterans:

            • Work for a Major Corporation – Companies like Xerox offer work from home (WFH) opportunities, including customer care, administrative support, data entry, software programming, and much.  They even have a program called Heroes@Home that seeks qualified veterans and military spouses.  AT&T and many other corporations have opportunities as well.
            • Remote and WFH Home Jobs – Check out Dynamite Jobs (dedicated to remote jobs), Indeed.com , or Flexjobs.com for companies hiring to work from home.
            • Amazon – Amazon has part-time, full-time, and virtual options available. Whether you have a degree or not, Amazon has many positions available. In fact, Amazon has recently pledged to hire 100,000 U.S. Veterans and Military Spouses by 2024.
            • Social Media Superstar – Do what you love and showcase it online. It’s a lot of work to start until you build an audience, it’s difficult, but if you’re willing to put in the work and be patient, the rewards can be significant. Opportunities include Podcasting, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube, Twitch, Snap Chat, and much more.
            • Online Tutor/Teacher – Online education is a booming industry, and tutoring and teaching positions are available if you have the credentials and experience. Check out Tutor.com or Kaplan University.
            • Prepared Meals/Dinners – Cook meals for neighborhood families and optionally deliver for families that don’t have time to cook on their own every night. The best part is that you can set the frequency. The profits can add up quickly. For instance, if you cook for 15 families at $30 a meal, that’s $450 (minus the cost of food). Plus, your family’s dinner is cooked and ready as well. Take it to another level with parent and kids meals, healthy, organic, or gluten-free.  For more information, read “How to Start a Meals to Go Business.”
            • Travel Agent – If you love to travel, you can partner with an accredited host agency to plan travel for others.  American Express has plenty of work at home positions available, and so do many other travel agencies.
            • Call Center Representative – An emerging trend is “home shore” representatives, and companies like Sykes are specifically offering employment to military spouses.
            • Start an E-Commerce Business – Starting a business online is easier than ever with e-commerce platforms like Shopify who will even teach you how to start an e-commerce business.
            • Etsy Shop – If you love to make crafts, homemade products, or source treasures from flea marketers, Etsy is a great place for you to start an Etsy Shop and sell online.
            • Set up an Online Course – Apply your unique skills to create an online training course and sell it on platforms such as Coursera,  Udemy, or Skillshare.
            • Medical Transcriptionist – Transcribe recorded messages from medical professionals to written medical documents.
            • Recruiter – Get affiliated with a Human Resource recruiting agency and work independently from home.  There are thousands of them.
            • Teach or Tutor Online – Many companies like Kaplan, Tutor.com offer positions as tutors and online instructors.  Typically the same qualifications and educational requirements need to be met as traditional tutors and teachers.
            • Article Writing – Write articles about your experience as a military spouse. On-base magazines and military websites are often looking for writers. For example, Google “write for U.S. military,” and you’ll get many results from sites like NextGenMilitarySpouse.
            • Freelance Work – Try websites such as Freelancer and UpWork that connect people with companies that pay for personal assistants, data entry, article writing, graphic design, translators, and many more jobs.
            • Start a Blog – Blog writing can be fun and profitable while writing about things you love.  Once successful, you can join blog networks such as BlogHer to increase your income and have a successful website such as ArmyWife101.  Some of these military wives make thousands of dollars every month.

            Here Are Some Other Ways to Make Money From Home:

            • Sign Up For SwagBucks – You can earn gift cards for watching videos, completing surveys, and buying items you would already buy.  There are also many other sites out there that pay you for similar work.  Search for “Get Paid To” for GPT sites.
            • Shop Online – Sign up for sites like Rakuten and get cash back by shopping through their app.
            • Shop Online for Crypto Cash Back – For even higher payouts, shop with StormX. Just shop as you would normally at 750+ available shops and receive up to 87.5% crypto cashback. For example, shop Gap Brands and receive 4% or more in cryptocurrency back. In addition, you can increase the crypto reward by owning STMX cryptocurrency.
            • Sell Online – There is a market for everything, whether you want to make, refurbish or resell online.  Items can be bought at garage sales, found around the house, or bought on sale at deeply discounted prices and resold online. Ebay.com is a great place to get started, and if you are artistic and like to make things—try Etsy.
            • Thrift Store Flipping – Every thrift store and flea market offer a real treasure hunt for anyone willing to do the work. Find your niche and turn that out of production item found at Goodwill into big bucks online.
            • Sell Photos – Have photography skills? People and companies will pay to use stock photography. Photography sites to check out include Shutterstock and Getty Images.
            • Get Paid for Completing Tasks – Join Amazon’s Mturk.com or Fiverr.com and get paid to complete small and large tasks.
            • Cryptocurrency – If you’re into crypto, there are many creative ways to earn free Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies.
            • Research, Opinions & Surveys – Get paid to do research or for your opinion through American Consumer Opinion.
            • Be a Juror – Be on a mock jury and help attorneys get prepared for trial.  Sites include eJury.com, OnlineVerdict.com, and TrialPractice.com.
            • Veteran.com Team

              Written by Veteran.com Team

              The editorial team here at Veteran.com works to help the U.S. military community discover the many military benefits available to them. Our team is supported by our Veteran Review Board and its Standard of Care, which all content on Veteran.com is reviewed to meet.

            Updated April 5, 2021

            Great Jobs for Veterans Without a Degree

            There are lots of great jobs for veterans without a degree. Those who retire or separate from the military don’t always re-enter the workforce with a degree. What waits for […]

            Table of Contents

              There are lots of great jobs for veterans without a degree. Those who retire or separate from the military don’t always re-enter the workforce with a degree. What waits for these veterans? Much depends on who you ask and what kind of career path you want to take.

              Defining Terms

              What does it mean to apply for a job without a degree? What should veterans know about getting a job with no college? Unfortunately even at some respected military-oriented websites when you search for articles about high paying jobs that don’t require a degree, what you get is a list of jobs that actually DO require some form of credentialing.

              For example one site’s list of ten jobs for veterans without a degree includes mention of “computer support specialists”.

              After discussing the ongoing need for such support for American consumers, the listing for this type of job adds, “Despite a candidates (sic) proficiency, the job usually requires training and, potentially, an associate’s degree.” Another of the top ten in this same article? Dental hygienists, which the article goes on to describe as a job that “usually only requires an associate’s degree.”

              That same article also lists plumbers as one of the ten jobs you can get without a degree, adding that the requirements may include, “…possibly attendance at a trade school”.

              As you can see, such information is not useful for the veteran who has no degree whatsoever and needs to enter the workforce to land a job prior to any additional education. So what are the great jobs for veterans without a degree?

              State And Local Government Jobs

              City and state governments frequently hire non-degree professionals in a variety of areas including highway maintenance, facilities management, landscaping, janitorial, physical security (see below), library work, professional archiving, and much more.

              There are so many entry-level jobs within state and local government that it’s one of the first places you should begin your search for jobs that don’t require degrees. Don’t forget that many of these gigs, degree-required or not, have veteran preference options for hiring especially if the job you want requires a Civil Service exam or some other type of testing/screening.

              Entry Level Security Jobs

              Security is a career field that places a high priority on military experience. A personal experience from the author of this article is a good example. Your author was hired into a corporate retail chain store loss prevention program on the strength of a 13-year Air Force career but with no degree.

              Loss prevention is basically anti-shoplifting and store security and this kind of entry-level work (with military experience) started (for the author in 2005) at $17 an hour.

              Another type of entry level security job is the small-town entry-level patrol option. Job listings for Entry Level Patrol Officers in the college town of Bloomington, Illinois have the following requirements:

              • Be a U.S. citizen
              • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
              • Be legally able to possess a firearm

              An international security firm called G4S advertises entry-level security jobs as having the following requirements:

              • Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
              • Must have a valid and current driver’s license
              • Must pass any State-required training or other qualifications for licensing

              Entry Level Computer Jobs

              Web developers, IT support, computer support, and more are listed across multiple job and veteran sites as being no-degree-required jobs and in many cases this can be true. If you are proficient in programming languages but don’t have a degree to back you up, it IS possible to land entry-level jobs or even more advanced jobs in the industry. But in this particular case much depends on the skills and knowledge levels you bring to the job interview.

              Unlike a job in security (see above) where you will be given plenty of on-the-job training, you’ll be expected to bring a certain level of technical proficiency to an entry level computer gig. The more experienced you are, the better your chances.

              Bottom line, what this means is that if you seek non-degreed work in computers and you already have a good deal of experience working with them, you could easily land a gig without a degree. But if you are starting from scratch with no experience in this field whatsoever, your prospects aren’t just bad, they are utterly dismal–you’ll need experience, a degree, or both.

              Smaller towns are likely for some easier to land these entry level jobs in than a tech hub such as Austin, Texas where the competition is much higher–sometimes in your job search, especially without a degree, location counts.

              Construction And Civil Engineering

              Any veteran with Red Horse experience, Army Corps of Engineers experience, Navy Civil Engineering, etc. is likely a prime candidate to be hired as a civilian with or without a degree. Those who might find entry-level jobs in construction should be mindful of the upward mobility you can earn on the job–the right workers can rise to supervisory or foreman positions and move up within a private company. Construction work takes many different forms and some who enter the construction industry (entry level or not) often consider forming their own companies to act as contractors or builders for individual projects they land without being part of someone else’s operation.

              Transportation Industry Jobs

              From truck driving to federal jobs with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), there are many non-degree opportunities in the transportation industry. Federal jobs at TSA as Transportation Security officers include the following requirements:

              • U.S. citizen or national
              • 18 years of age or older
              • High school diploma, GED or equivalent certificate
              • Registered for Selective Service
              • Able to pass a federal drug screening, medical evaluation and background investigation
              • Available to work shifts at odd hours, occasional overtime and the ability to travel for training

              Some TSA jobs do require a degree, others do not. You may find your options are more plentiful as a veteran thanks to veteran hiring preference but you may also learn that some educational requirements for certain jobs may be waived in favor of military experience. Your experience may vary.

              No-Degree Science Jobs

              For these jobs, much will depend on state or local law, the nature of the facility doing the hiring, and whether hazardous materials must be handled as part of the new hire’s duties. In general there are plenty of science job possibilities for those without a degree including agriculture and food science work, veterinary assistance (some locations may require some form of a degree while others may not…the size of your town may play a part in how easy it is to land such a job without a degree), and work in forest conservation.

              Some jobs that involve a certain amount of science such as power plant jobs are also potential entry-level, no-degree-required opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that power plant jobs usually require only a high school degree with extensive on-the-job training providing the technical details needed to perform the work. Those who have prior military experience in these areas definitely have an advantage even without a degree.

              Things To Remember About Applying For Jobs Without A Degree

              It may seem totally obvious to some, but it’s worth mentioning that if you have extensive military experience directly or even indirectly related to the job you want without a degree, you have an advantage. Do not let the lack of a degree intimidate you into NOT applying for the job you seek–find out what options you have with your military experience that can stand in for a degree where applicable.

              One area NOT mentioned in other articles or even in THIS one up to this point? The options for those who do not have a degree but are currently seeking one while looking for work. Some state and federal programs may have exceptions to their degree requirements if the candidate is currently pursuing such a degree.

              In other words, the state library that advertises a job opening in their Reference Desk department may list a Master’s Degree in Library Science (MSLIS) as a job requirement. If you just got out of the military without having this degree, you are NOT barred from applying or from consideration in many cases IF you have been accepted into a degree program the job requires.

              While that is not true in ALL cases, it’s true in enough of them that you should seriously consider that as an option when seeking work. If you have the goal of entering a degree program while working, this can be a big help if you know the option exists. Be sure to check the requirements section in the job listings very carefully for information that may indicate such an option exists for that particular job.

              • Veteran.com Team

                Written by Veteran.com Team

                The editorial team here at Veteran.com works to help the U.S. military community discover the many military benefits available to them. Our team is supported by our Veteran Review Board and its Standard of Care, which all content on Veteran.com is reviewed to meet.

              Updated May 9, 2022

              Civilian Jobs After Service As A Combat Medic

              Combat medics have a tough job. They are responsible for emergency care on and off the battlefield, depending on mission requirements, operations tempo, and other factors. Each branch of the […]

              Table of Contents

                Combat medics have a tough job. They are responsible for emergency care on and off the battlefield, depending on mission requirements, operations tempo, and other factors. Each branch of the military has some form of a combat medic though they may have different career field names and job descriptions.

                In the Army, there is an MOS with the job titled Combat Medic Specialists, an MOS also referred to as 68W or “sixty-eight whiskey”. In the Air Force, these are known as Air Combat Medics/Pararescue or simply “PJs”. The Navy has Hospital Corpsmen who perform similar duties, and the Marine Corps does not have a medical division. The U.S. Marines rely on Navy medical troops instead.

                Working in these capacities is challenging, but rewarding. But every military career comes to an end at some point and anyone working as a combat medic or in a related MOS should start thinking about their career beyond military duty. What civilian jobs are open to combat medics who leave the military?

                Career Choices

                Before a former combat medic can really settle into making good decisions about post-military jobs, one big choice has to be made. Continue a career started in the military? Change direction within the same general field of medicine? Or start a completely new career unrelated to your old job?

                This article will focus on job choices for those who leave the military but want to remain in the medical field. If you decide you want to start a new career unrelated to medicine, it’s a very good idea to take advantage of VA transition assistance resources designed for people starting a new career or interested in learning how to.

                The opportunities we discuss below aren’t necessarily available in all locations, but the general idea is to take these options and find local versions of them in your chosen job market.

                Combat medics may or may not qualify for some of these jobs without additional certifications, training, or other measures so expect that your experience will vary.

                Anyone who has trained in a medical profession knows there are many diverse opportunities including teaching and training others in medical skills. Your opportunities are not limited to the types of work you did in uniform. You could be a manager, trainer, a liaison, or a hands-on worker, etc. You could even work as a medical recruiter, which is something we’ll explore below.

                Job Sources

                There are too many job boards to list but not all of them are right for those who want to work in medicine. Why do we say that? Because many would-be Monster.com or Glassdoor.com type websites merely “scrape” the web for job listings and reproduce them wholesale on their own pages. Why is this a problem for a highly skilled job seeker?

                Because many of your job opportunities may be found on government hire sites like USA.gov or on private healthcare official sites that feature specific instructions to submit job applications and resumes not necessarily included in the listing by the third-party job site.

                In other words, if you use Indeed.com to apply for a job right for a former combat medic, you may be wasting your time if the job application process requires you to submit in a specific way such as via the online job portal at USAjobs.com.

                Such sites may refuse to accept applications not submitted through their portal; submitting via a third party job search site gets you nowhere.

                Civilian Jobs For Combat Medics

                Some of these jobs may seem very entry-level to a highly experienced combat medic. But we include them here as some of them may be stepping-stone jobs toward a more advanced position within the Civil Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or even a private civilian healthcare facility.

                Some will need to take a more entry-level opportunity to work their way up, others may be immediately qualified for higher and more advanced positions.

                Private Healthcare Job Options

                The need for medics, nurses, nurse assistants, and many other medical positions is great within the private healthcare industry. Literature published by the World Health Organization includes the acknowledgement that private-sector care plays a critical role; the WHO notes that “most countries” have some blend of public and private options.

                Whether you are looking at employment in a nursing home, hospice, extended care facility, clinic, or other operation, private industry is a big part of the hiring landscape.

                Some may feel intimidated by applying to work at a big hospital or private care facility. But there are plenty of medically-oriented businesses including physical therapy clinics, sports medicine clinics, and other opportunities that operate on a much smaller scale.

                Some may consider working in the medical department of a professional sports organization, charter school, or other such entity.

                Private Sector Health Industry Recruiting

                Some military medical troops are specifically recruited to join the military to serve. But did you know that there are civilian medical recruiters too? A combat medic leaving the military would do well to explore options with a civilian medical industry recruiter.

                This in and of itself is a fulltime job and some with combat medic experience may actually choose to recruit rather than practice. Many healthcare companies rely on such recruiting operations which locate skilled professionals for private practice, local hospital operations, and groups with unique medical job requirements.

                You can do a Google search for medical recruiting operations but be sure to do your homework on such companies if they are new to you–investigate the online reputation of that company and other information to make sure you are working with a reputable agency.

                Government Healthcare Jobs

                The federal government, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, routinely hires ex-military medical troops like combat medics for a variety of needs, programs, and services. The VA may hire you to work at one of their facilities, while you can find opportunities in a wide variety of other government agencies including the Department of Defense. Opportunities include:

                • Defense Health Agency Civilian Jobs
                • Army/Air Force/Navy medical jobs
                • Army Medicine Civilian Corps Jobs
                • Public Health Service Jobs

                Where can you find these opportunities? There is a centralized government medical job board on Health.mil that offers a portal to these jobs and much more. What kind of jobs? At press time, the following were just some of the opportunities:

                Physician (Occupational Medicine)
                Defense Health Agency
                Department of Defense
                Fort Belvoir, Virginia

                Medical Support Assistant (Office Automation)
                Defense Health Agency
                Department of Defense
                Bethesda, Maryland

                Nurse (Consultant/Medical Home Port Team/Patient Centered Medical Home)
                Defense Health Agency
                Department of Defense
                Fort Belvoir, Virginia

                Supervisory Physician Assistant
                Defense Health Agency
                Department of Defense
                Fort Sam Houston, Texas

                You can also search for medical jobs on the Department of Veterans Affairs official job board.

                Civilian Jobs For Former Combat Medics And Other Military Medical Specialties

                No list of medical job opportunities would be complete without a listing of some of the career options open to those with the right experience. These jobs may all require new certifications, training, or other steps to be accepted as a new hire.

                Your experience will vary depending on state and federal law, local opportunities, and other variables. When applying for jobs like the ones listed here, be sure to read the entire job description and listing to make sure you know the requirements and credentialing needed to land an interview.

                Intermediate Care Technicians (ICT)

                The Department of Veterans Affairs offers jobs for ICTs at VA medical centers. This work involves “complex technician-level diagnostic and treatment procedures” as well as providing “intermediate and advanced paramedic-level care” crisis intervention, and related duties.

                Health Technician

                Another opportunity commonly offered at VA facilities, a health technician in this setting would be responsible for direct patient care, administering medication, as well as diagnostic support and medical assistance in VA medical centers and clinics.

                Medical Support Assistant (MSA)

                This commonly-offered VA job is one that requires “tact and diplomacy” according to the VA official site, which is why the agency recruits former military medical troops. They perform what the VA terms as “front-line contact” with patients–the VA hires vets in this capacity to use their “shared experience to comfort fellow Veterans” who may be trying to cope with navigating the VA medical system.

                Nursing Assistant

                Even if you did work above the assistant level while in the military, working for the VA as a nursing assistant has its perks. The VA official site reminds potential applicants that “certification is desirable” but is NOT required to apply. The VA official site adds that “Nursing staff may take advantage of the special education support programs we offer to earn the degrees and certifications necessary to become a Licensed Practical Nurse or a Registered Nurse”.

                Naturally you are not limited to applying for jobs at the VA for any of the above, but the VA is a very large federal employer and it would be a mistake to rule out the agency as a major source for medical job opportunities.

                This is NOT a comprehensive list of medical jobs open to former combat medics, there are many other opportunities for work as an Emergency Medical Technician or EMT, Surgical Tech, a Physician Assistant, or an Emergency Room Nurse just to name a few.

                • Veteran.com Team

                  Written by Veteran.com Team

                  The editorial team here at Veteran.com works to help the U.S. military community discover the many military benefits available to them. Our team is supported by our Veteran Review Board and its Standard of Care, which all content on Veteran.com is reviewed to meet.

                Updated July 27, 2021

                Commissary and AAFES Jobs

                For military members and their families, commissaries and exchanges are not just places to get food, clothes, electronics, or other items. They are also a source of employment for currently […]

                Table of Contents

                  For military members and their families, commissaries and exchanges are not just places to get food, clothes, electronics, or other items. They are also a source of employment for currently serving military members, spouses, dependent children, veterans, and military retirees. The Commissary, AAFES outlets such as the Base Exchange (BX) or Post Exchange (PX), the Navy Exchange (NEX), Marine Exchange (MCX), and Coast Guard Exchange (CGX) regularly employ those from the military community. These jobs are plentiful, especially for those stationed overseas, and there are opportunities for those who want upward mobility within these companies.

                  What Is the Commissary?

                  Commissary and AAFES JobsThe Commissary is essentially an on-base grocery store. These facilities are centrally owned and managed by the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) headquarters at Fort Lee, Virginia. Commissaries operate on military installations worldwide and provide groceries to military personnel, retirees, and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Items are priced fairly, and your total bill includes a 5-percent surcharge to cover the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones.

                  What is the Army and Air Force Exchange System (AAFES)?

                  The Army and Air Force Exchange System, or AAFES, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, has been operating on military installations in one form or another since 1895. AAFES operates BX/PX stores similar to big-box retail chains such as Kohl’s, Target, and Walmart. The agency runs the exchange system for both online shopping and on-base retail, and serves wherever you find military members.

                  The motto of AAFES is “We go where you go.” According to the official site, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service “has served the Nation’s armed forces during combat operations, humanitarian missions and military exercises around the world.” AAFES employees have “voluntarily deployed to serve troops during major wars, natural disasters, deep into jungles, high on mountaintops, and at tips of the spears in eastern Europe and South Korea.”

                  AAFES also runs on-base movie theaters, concessions, and other retail outlets on military bases in the United States and overseas. These stores feature tax-free shopping, discounted goods, and even a store credit card known as the Military Star Card.

                  Do the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Have an Exchange?

                  The Navy has its’ own version of AAFES, known as Navy Exchange or NEX for short. NEX headquarters is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Marines and Coast Guard also have exchanges for members of their military service.

                  Who Gets to Shop at These Facilities?

                  In the past, only those with valid military IDs could shop at AAFES and commissary locations. Dependents, retirees, and currently serving military members are all permitted, but civilian employees and other categories of DoD personnel have been left out in decades past. That policy has recently changed. Check out the current authorized personnel list with privileges at AAFES facilities worldwide. This list also applies to NEX, MCX, and CGX facilities.

                  Can I Work at Commissaries and Exchanges?

                  If you are interested in working at an Exchange facility should know there is no requirement to be in the military, nor a requirement that new hires be military family members or dependents. Base or Post Exchanges are run by AAFES and have one basic job requirement to be eligible for consideration:

                  “Our basic employment requirement is that you have a passion for providing excellent customer service and the desire to serve those who serve,” according to AAFES. There are entry-level jobs and more career-oriented management and corporate positions.

                  Commissary jobs may be slightly different depending on the applied positions. Some jobs are General Schedule (GS) pay-grade federal positions, while some may be considered more entry-level, and hiring may be done differently than for GS positions. GS hiring can be complicated with required background checks and drug screenings, while more entry-level positions may only require an interview and a resume review.

                  Are There Special Hiring Considerations for Military Spouses and Family Members?

                  For both exchanges and DeCA, hiring preference may be extended to military members, spouses, or dependents. These preferences may depend on the type of job openings available, whether the position requires a GS rating in the case of DeCA employees, and how long the applicant is available to work in a given location. This is the case for overseas work and sometimes even stateside hires. DeCA directs military spouses and family members to resources like Military OneSource to learn more about hiring preferences and opportunities.

                  AAFES has a special section on its official site for military spouses and family members. There are certain conditions for hiring preference and special hiring opportunities.

                  How Do I Find Exchange Jobs?

                  Since AAFES does not only operate BX and PX outlets, there may be a large pool of jobs to choose from at a given military base or post. It’s possible to apply for AAFES jobs online on the AAFES official site. The AAFES official site lists internship programs, management training opportunities, career offerings for those leaving military service, and much more.

                  Many of the same rules and issues apply to NEX, MCX, and CGX retail jobs as the AAFES and DeCA jobs, including the NEX policy of not requiring its employees to be in the military or military dependents. You can search for and find exchange jobs at NEX, MCX, and CGX.  Like AAFES, these jobs are not considered Civil Service positions.

                  How Do I Find Commissary Jobs?

                  Finding a job opening with the Defense Commissary Agency is centralized-the DeCA official site directs job seekers to search USAJobs.gov site. Once there, doing a general search on “DeCA jobs” will bring up both entry-level work, such as tellers, baggers, and clerks at commissaries worldwide, but also higher-level and federal GS positions.

                  Some of these jobs require minimum experience and basic education requirements, while others may demand an extensive resume and professional experience. Some DeCA overseas jobs don’t pay for relocation expenses, while others may.

                  Can I Apply for Exchange and DeCA Jobs Via Indeed, SimplyHired, or Other Job Boards?

                  It is strongly recommended to apply directly via the job links from Exchange or DeCA official sites. In addition, third-party job boards like Indeed.com, SimplyHired, and others may redirect you to the AAFES or DeCA job pages.

                  Where Are These Facilities? Does Every Military Base Have Exchanges and a Commissary?

                  Exchanges and DeCA run their businesses inside military bases all over the world. Exchanges can even be found in forward-deployed locations, aboard ships, or anywhere depending on mission requirements, safety issues, or logistics support.

                  Not all military bases have a commissary, but many overseas installations, posts, and bases do. AAFES provides retail services at many military bases, but their “footprint” may not include a BX or PX. It depends on the size of the base and the permanence of the installation.

                  Exchanges are only part of the big picture. Exchanges also operate bookstores, mini-marts, and liquor stores known to military members as “Class Six” stores.

                  Is There a Commissary Near Me?

                  There is a searchable database of DeCA commissary locations worldwide based on your zip code, state, country, or physical address.

                  Is There an Exchange Near Me?

                  Check out each of the service Exchange homepages to find a location near you:

                  • Veteran.com Team

                    Written by Veteran.com Team

                    The editorial team here at Veteran.com works to help the U.S. military community discover the many military benefits available to them. Our team is supported by our Veteran Review Board and its Standard of Care, which all content on Veteran.com is reviewed to meet.

                  Updated March 23, 2021

                  Veteran Google Search for Civilian Jobs

                  There are many job search tools for veterans and those transitioning out of military careers back into the private sector. Many have used Google in their job searches. They released […]

                  Table of Contents

                    There are many job search tools for veterans and those transitioning out of military careers back into the private sector.

                    Many have used Google in their job searches. They released special enhancements to its search engine aimed specifically at military people searching for new jobs. Prior, it was only possible to search for new listings using Google to access job data rather than have the search engine help career seekers find job search results tailored specifically for them.

                    Veteran Google Search for Civilian JobsYou read that correctly. Google has developed algorithms designed to help military job seekers get search results targeted specifically for them.

                    Type Jobs for Veterans into Google and Press Return

                    Typing the phrase “jobs for veterans” into Google brings up a new page with a prompt for the user to enter your military occupational specialty code or MOS. Google then compiles search results based on that specific type of query or request based on the code you enter.

                    Google Search Results for Military Job Seekers

                    When using the Google “jobs for veterans” search term associated with your own military job code or MOS, the results you get will depend on several factors.

                    One example:

                    Using Marine Corps MOS code 0149 (Substance Abuse Control Specialist) brings up results in Google that are targeted to “0149 Marines Enlisted” and include more-or-less relevant results including (at the time of this writing) Registered Nurse positions, caseworkers, RN case managers, auditors, and other jobs.

                    Using Non-MOS Codes to Search for Jobs Using Google

                    When using an Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) rather than an MOS, relevant results are still possible. Using the AFSC 3N052, which designates a military broadcaster, a variety of jobs come up in relevant categories including publishing, broadcasting, internet media jobs, etc.

                    It’s true that your results will vary depending on the nature of the job code and availability of specific jobs that match skill sets represented by that code. It is definitely worth experimenting with the algorithms.

                    Job Sources via Google

                    An official video published by Google states, “Google brings together job openings from across the web into categories that match the skills you’ve gained in your military role.” But where do these jobs come from?

                    In many cases they are offered by the usual job seeker clearing houses such as Glassdoor, Careerbuilder, LinkedIn, etc. Clicking on the jobs you find via Google will bring up a description of the job and an option to click through button to the website advertising the job application.

                    Applying for Jobs Found via the Google “Jobs for Veterans” Search

                    When you click on a link to apply for jobs, you’ll discover using this veteran job search tool you are not applying for a job through Google nor using Google as the delivery system for your application.

                    Instead, you are taken directly to the job ad as posted by the company on its website, job board, or other source. Once you click to apply, you are leaving Google to a third party (assuming the job advertised is not with Google itself).

                    This means you will need to create a login and profile for any job sites you haven’t already signed up for prior to exploring now using the jobs for veterans search phrase in Google. Be prepared to upload a headshot, resume, cover letter, and any other required documentation each time you click through to a new job opening.

                    Google is not responsible for the interaction between job seekers and hiring managers, etc. All interactions that happen between job seeker and hiring officials are between two third parties.

                    Google cannot assist job seekers beyond the search tools it provides unless otherwise specifically indicated on the official site.

                    What If I Don’t Have A Military Occupational Specialty Code?

                    The Army and Marine Corps both use MOS codes. The Navy and Air Force do not use the same system. Navy has “ratings” and the Air Force uses Specialty Codes.

                    However, Google instructional materials for this new algorithm tends to use the term “MOS” as a catch-all phrase to mean any code that designates an Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard career field.

                    It’s best to enter the career code for any branch of service. Then check the results rather than assume that no results will appear just because the branch of service does not use the same specialty code as the Army or United States Marines.

                    Some Search Results Are Specifically Targeted, Others Are More General

                    In cases where a military occupational code entered into the Google search box is a direct match with jobs, you may see results specifically labelled in the same career field. Others may bring results that are more loosely based on skill sets suggested by the military job codes.

                    In some cases, MOS codes may not reveal any job openings at all. This may be due to a need to further refine the search algorithm, but it also may suggest a general lack of opportunities in that career area at the time of the search.

                    Use a Broader Search Term

                    In some cases, less refined searches work too. For example, after typing Jobs for Veterans into Google, you may be able to use a one-word or two-word search phrase instead of a military specialty code.

                    Typing in the word “ammo” brings up zero results (at the time of this writing), but typing “safety” brings up job results. The list of opportunities specifically target careers with safety as a main feature of the job such as flightline operations at a local airport, Homeland Security, etc.

                    Tips for Searching For a Civilian Job Using the Google “Jobs for Veterans” Search Phrase

                    There are several ways to help yourself find the most relevant jobs for you using Google’s jobs for veterans search tool. One of the most important tips? Don’t limit yourself to searching with your own MOS or military job code.

                    You may be a military dental technician, a military broadcaster, or an investigator. There are many equivalents to this type of work that may not come back in a rigidly-defined search just by your own code.

                    Don’t Limit Your Search to Your Own Branch of Service

                    One trick is to search using another occupational specialty code used by a branch of service other than your own. Compare the job results that come up when searching for the Marine Corps equivalent of an Air Force Specialty Code or a tangentially related career.

                    Here is a good example. Those who work in aircraft maintenance for a specific military airframe may wish to look at the occupational codes for other military branches that do similar work, but on other aircraft. Could a simple matter of training on a different air frame make the difference in finding suitable jobs or not finding them?

                    Don’t Just Search for Your Own Career Field

                    While it’s true that helicopter maintenance issues may be radically different than for fixed-wing aircraft, are there opportunities for those with maintenance experience to cross-train into a different type of work? Can a journalist also be qualified for public affairs work?

                    Some jobs are harder to classify than others. A Navy firefighter may not have any trouble finding work that translates, but what about someone who works in an Air Force supply room or as a linguist?

                    Google searches for these jobs may reveal more results when looking at opportunities that put high value on one aspect of the job you are familiar with, but are not necessarily within your own specialty code. Google military specialty codes that are not your own to see what other opportunities await people with your general skills in addition to more specific training.

                    Experiment with Google Searches

                    Another trick you can try to find military jobs or military career field-related jobs is to use Google’s search phrase “jobs for veterans” and add the MOS code, AFSC, or other military career field code in the search using Bing, Yahoo, etc.

                    You may find plenty of generalized results in some cases, but more specific results in others depending on the career field and other factors. The idea here is to compare the results you get in multiple search engines. Those results may inspire you to look in different areas than where you began. Others may have you going back to try a different tactic inspired by what you find.

                    Non-Google search engines may or may not be working on their own versions of this Google algorithm. You can still use them as alternatives to get different results or confirm there are no additional results possible for your current search.

                    Related Articles
                    5 Tips For A Successful Military-to-Civilian Transition Military Transition to Civilian Life
                    The Best Civilian Career Fields For Veterans Commissary and AAFES Jobs
                    Criminal Justice Careers After the Military Transition Assistance Program
                    • Veteran.com Team

                      Written by Veteran.com Team

                      The editorial team here at Veteran.com works to help the U.S. military community discover the many military benefits available to them. Our team is supported by our Veteran Review Board and its Standard of Care, which all content on Veteran.com is reviewed to meet.

                    Updated July 11, 2021

                    Jobs That Favor Military Experience

                    There are plenty of jobs that favor military experience. The real question is, what type of jobs are these and who gets picked out of the pool of eligible military […]

                    Table of Contents

                      There are plenty of jobs that favor military experience. The real question is, what type of jobs are these and who gets picked out of the pool of eligible military candidates. There are obvious career options for those who want to capitalize on their military experience–federal jobs are one of the most popular choices.

                      That’s especially true for those who hold security clearances and want to work in similarly trusted positions as a civilian.

                      But what about the other options. If you go to Indeed.com, you’ll find articles with lists of careers where military experience is favored. At the Indeed official site, these lists include jobs like automotive technician, electrician, and landscape designers.

                      And while it’s true that all of these career fields do value your military experience (there are military equivalents for all the above), these jobs tend to favor military experience based on the discipline of military life whereas the actual job skills themselves may be offered as on-the-job training.

                      The author of this article was once hired for a job specifically because of his military background; no experience in the field was required in this particular case because the military experience was deemed suitable. You may find a similar attitude in food service and hospitality industry jobs, some local law enforcement, city and state-level government jobs, etc.

                      But what about those who are looking for jobs as civilians who want to directly translate skills learned in uniform into a career in the private sector?

                      Types Of Jobs That Favor General Military Experience

                      Here are some of the most obvious–law enforcement, medicine, and security. Any military experience on your record gives you an advantage in the hiring process and your status as a veteran may allow you to claim veterans preference depending on where and how you are applying.

                      Basically any government job where you have direct experience (federal, state, or local) in the military you may find such experience to be a major competitive edge. You might have worked a security forces job in the military–which gives you the ability to apply for any number of security-related jobs on the outside.

                      But what if you were a K-9 handler no longer interested in law enforcement? Some go on to explore their options in veterinary services (because of their dog handling experience), animal control, or even work at public zoos. The key is to think creatively about the types of work that might be open to you as a veteran.

                      Another option: consulting. If you have experience in military security of any kind, that general experience may be valuable in a consulting context–how many companies have vulnerabilities in their physical or internet security? How many could use the benefit of an experienced military person who understands complex threats online and in person?

                      You might not have worked directly as a physical security manager, but if you had an additional duty related to security or performed work in that capacity while tasked to do other main missions, your experience is still relevant to an employer.

                      Jobs That Favor Specific Military Experience

                      There are plenty of other types of military jobs that directly translate into civilian ones:

                      • Accounting
                      • Human resources
                      • Procurement
                      • IT
                      • Civil engineering
                      • Public utilities
                      • Pest control
                      • Physical security
                      • Cybersecurity
                      • Network maintenance
                      • Customer service
                      • Fitness-related jobs
                      • Public Affairs and broadcasting
                      • Protocol, internal affairs, and social media
                      • Education
                      • Project management
                      • Public works
                      • Safety

                      These are just a few examples. How many gun range owners, nightclub managers, and private security services would jump at the chance to hire an experienced veteran who left the military in good standing?

                      There are some jobs that might favor your experiences in uniform even when it doesn’t seem like there’s a direct match from your old career to the new job. Did you have a job in an accounting and finance office? Maybe you lost interest in bookkeeping a long time ago, but there are related jobs that require that exact type of experience.

                      For example, if you were to join a company that has large inventories of stock, equipment, or merchandise, your accounting skills would translate well into inventory management.

                      And some military jobs that have no direct connection with that world still require the skills–consider the public affairs office that has cameras, video recording gear, and other gadgets. Someone has to serve as the inventory manager for all that government equipment.

                      And don’t forget about your additional duties. Were you tasked as a fitness monitor for your unit? That would go a long way toward helping you land a job at a local gym or fitness center.

                      Did you conduct training, briefings, or critique the work of others? Did you serve in a supervisory capacity? All these skills can directly translate into management job opportunities on the outside. Supervising others and managing departments are highly sought-after skill sets. Your training and experience in these areas could make the difference in getting hired for a competitive job.

                      Help From The VA

                      What some forget when trying to decide if their military experience gives them an advantage or not, one of the best things to do is to research the most current VA benefits for job placement, career transition assistance, and related issues. Did you know you may qualify as a military veteran for VA Chapter 36 Education and Career Counseling?

                      The VA has a list of requirements you must meet to be eligible for Chapter 36:

                      • The applicant is scheduled to be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable from active duty within 6 months, or
                      • The applicant has separated from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable not more than one year ago, or
                      • The applicant qualifies as a veteran or service member for educational assistance under a VA educational program, or
                      • The applicant is currently a service member, Veteran, or dependent eligible for VA education benefits.

                      What do you get with this assistance?

                      • Career counseling
                      • Educational counseling related to a career choice
                      • Academic and adjustment counseling
                      • Resume support
                      • Goal planning

                      Complete VA Form 28-8832 and send it to your closest Department of Veterans Affairs office. Once the VA receives your application they will arrange for a meeting with a counselor at no charge. You may have to pay your own transportation costs to take this meeting, and such counseling is available only within CONUS.

                      But don’t stop with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Your state government’s official site will have resources specifically for veterans and many of these include job placement and military experience translation services. You can also get assistance from a Veterans Service Organization such as the USO, DAV, Red Cross, etc.

                      • Veteran.com Team

                        Written by Veteran.com Team

                        The editorial team here at Veteran.com works to help the U.S. military community discover the many military benefits available to them. Our team is supported by our Veteran Review Board and its Standard of Care, which all content on Veteran.com is reviewed to meet.

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