Identifying Transferable Skills for UK Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Life

Transitioning from the Armed Forces into civilian employment can be challenging, but one of the greatest assets veterans bring is a rich set of transferable skills. These are the abilities and qualities you’ve developed in service that can apply to a wide range of civilian jobs. This guide will help you understand and identify those skills, see how they relate to different industries, and learn how to market them to UK employers. We’ll also highlight UK-specific resources and support to empower your career transition.

1. Understanding Transferable Skills

What are transferable skills?
Transferable skills are the core skills and abilities that can be applied in many jobs and industries, regardless of the specific role. You gain them through military service, training courses, education, or even hobbies. Examples include leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and technical know-how.

Why are they valuable in civilian careers?
Employers highly value these skills because they show what you can bring to a role beyond job-specific training. Transferable skills demonstrate that you can fit into a team and adapt to new challenges. For a veteran who may not have direct civilian work experience, highlighting these skills can bridge the gap – they prove you have learned how to lead people, operate under pressure, or master new technology in the military, all of which are relevant to civilian jobs. In fact, many organisations are “crying out” for the very attributes ex-Forces personnel offer (like resilience, teamwork and accountability).

Key skills veterans develop in the military:
During your service, you’ve likely built a mix of soft skills (people and leadership skills) and hard skills (technical or job-specific skills) that civilian employers seek. For example:

• Leadership and Teamwork: The armed forces instill strong leadership ability and the capacity to work in cohesive teams. Even at junior ranks you learn to manage and inspire others, often in diverse, high-pressure situations. This knack for bringing people together to achieve a mission is invaluable in corporate and public sector roles.
• Communication: Military personnel are trained to communicate clearly and effectively, whether giving orders on the front line or writing reports. You’ve learned to convey complex information in simple terms – a skill every employer needs.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: In service you faced unexpected challenges and had to think on your feet. You developed a solution-oriented mindset and the ability to make decisions under pressure. This critical thinking is a coveted skill in civilian workplaces where employers need people who can tackle problems creatively.
• Adaptability and Resilience: The military often throws you into new environments and changing scenarios. By necessity, you become adaptable and learn to stay calm and effective amid uncertainty. That mental resilience – handling stress, overcoming adversity, and moving forward – is a huge asset in any civilian job.
• Discipline and Work Ethic: Service life demands excellent discipline, punctuality, and adherence to standards. You internalize a strong work ethic and attention to detail​. Employers value veterans for reliability, professionalism, and “getting the job done” with quality and timeliness.
• Technical Skills: Many roles in the forces involve advanced technical training – from operating machinery and vehicles to maintaining IT networks or medical equipment. For instance, you might have experience with weapons systems, engineering equipment, cybersecurity tools, or aircraft and naval technology. These hard skills can often directly transfer to industries like engineering, telecommunications, or IT​. Crucially, the Ministry of Defence aligns many military qualifications with civilian ones, so you may already have certificates (NVQs, diplomas, etc.) recognized by employers.

By recognizing these skills in yourself, you’ll see that your military experience has given you a strong foundation for civilian success. As one UK veteran put it, realizing your experience is “different but still valued” can be a “light bulb moment”.

2. Branch-Specific Transferable Skills

All Armed Forces personnel share many core skills, but each branch of the UK military also develops particular strengths through its unique roles and training. Here’s an overview of common skills across all branches, and some branch-specific skills you might highlight from your background:

Common skills across all branches: Discipline, teamwork, loyalty, the ability to perform under pressure, and a mission-focused mindset are ingrained in all service members. Whether you served in the Army, Royal Navy, RAF, or Royal Marines, you’ve proven you can adapt, learn quickly, and get results in challenging conditions. These traits – along with integrity, accountability, and a “can-do” attitude – are hallmarks of veterans that employers appreciate.

British Army

The British Army places heavy emphasis on leadership, planning, and logistics. Soldiers and officers often lead teams from early in their careers, honing skills in organizing people and resources to accomplish objectives. If you served in the Army, you likely have experience in:

• Leadership & Team Management: From section commanders up to officers, Army personnel learn to command, motivate and develop others. You’ve led troops through training exercises or operations, which translates to excellent people-management and supervisory skills in civilian workplaces.
• Operational Planning & Logistics: Army units are involved in detailed planning of missions and managing supply chains (food, fuel, equipment) under the Royal Logistic Corps and other support units. This gives you strong project planning, resource management, and coordination skills. You know how to analyze complex situations and make informed decisions under pressure – essential for roles in project management, operations, or emergency planning.
• Engineering & Technical Skills: Many Army veterans come from technical corps like the Royal Engineers or REME, where they built infrastructure, maintained vehicles, or handled explosives. These roles provide hands-on engineering experience (construction, mechanical/electrical repair, combat engineering) that can lead to civilian jobs in construction, utilities, maintenance and engineering fields. You’ve worked with advanced equipment and can apply that technical knowledge directly to industry.

Example: A former British Army Logistics Officer noted that his experience in strategic planning and decision-making under pressure gave him capabilities that “extend well beyond military logistics” – enabling him to excel in civilian operations and project management roles.

Royal Navy

Royal Navy service cultivates expertise suited to maritime and technical environments. Navy veterans are known for their strength in crisis management, technical operation, and navigation. Key skills from a Naval background include:

• Crisis Management & Staying Calm Under Pressure: Life at sea involves responding to emergencies like fires, floods, or medical crises far from immediate help. Naval training prepares you to react quickly and effectively in critical situations, coordinate emergency responses, and make sound decisions in crises. This experience is highly valued in sectors like emergency management, security, and any role requiring calm leadership under pressure.
• Technical Proficiency: Whether you served as a marine engineer, weapons technician, communications specialist, or other Naval rating, you likely handled sophisticated systems. The Navy trains personnel in operating and maintaining engines, electrical systems, radar/sonar, IT networks, and even nuclear reactors on submarines. This gives you advanced technical skills and fault-finding abilities that are directly transferable to civilian engineering, maintenance, IT and telecom jobs. For example, a Royal Navy engineer’s experience with marine engines or power systems could lead to a career in automotive, aerospace, or energy industries.
• Navigation and Coordination: Royal Navy Warfare Officers and sailors are experts in navigation, chart-reading, and global travel logistics. If you navigated ships or coordinated fleet movements, you have strong situational awareness, planning, and geographic information skills. These can apply to roles in transportation (commercial shipping, aviation operations), logistics planning, or any job that involves managing complex operations over distance. Navy veterans also tend to be team players – living and working in close quarters at sea fosters excellent communication and teamwork. As one Royal Navy officer noted, serving in high-pressure deployments sharpened his problem-solving and project management expertise in a way civilian employers greatly seek.

Royal Air Force (RAF)

RAF personnel often have cutting-edge technical training and experience working in highly structured team environments. Some unique skills from the RAF include:

• Aviation Technology & Engineering: Many RAF veterans have worked on aircraft or aerospace systems – whether as pilots, engineers, or technical specialists. You might have experience in aircraft maintenance, avionics, flight operations, air traffic control, or aerospace safety. These skills translate into the civilian aviation industry (airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers) and beyond. For instance, an RAF aircraft technician’s knowledge of complex electrical and mechanical systems is directly relevant to roles in aviation engineering or any field involving high-tech equipment.
• Teamwork in Technical Environments: The RAF operates with integrated teams – pilots, aircrew, ground crew, and support staff must coordinate precisely. Veterans from the Air Force are used to intense teamwork and communication, often across different specialties, to accomplish missions. This makes you effective in collaborative civilian workplaces, especially where cross-functional cooperation is key (e.g. large engineering projects, event operations, etc.).
• Cybersecurity & Communications: The RAF has specialist roles in communications, intelligence, and cyber defense. If you worked in signals intelligence, IT, or cyber units, you likely have experience securing networks, managing information systems, or defending against cyber threats. These cybersecurity skills are in high demand as UK companies strengthen their cyber defenses. Military training in information security and handling classified data can give you a head-start in IT security, network administration, or cybersecurity analyst roles. In fact, military training often includes expertise in IT and specialised software that is directly applicable to civilian tech jobs.

Royal Marines

As an elite amphibious fighting force, the Royal Marines develop a reputation for exceptional resilience, adaptability, and physical prowess. If you’re a former Royal Marine Commando, you can leverage skills such as:

• Resilience and Mental Toughness: Earning the green beret requires enduring one of the toughest training regimes in the world. Royal Marines learn to thrive under extreme pressure, overcome adversity, and push beyond comfort zones. This mental toughness and grit mean you won’t be fazed by stressful project deadlines or high-pressure work environments – you’ve handled far worse! Employers see Royal Marines as highly resilient employees who can persevere through challenges.
• Adaptability and Quick Learning: Marines are trained to deploy rapidly in any environment – from Arctic cold to jungle heat – and to adapt tactics as situations evolve. This gives you a unique flexibility and problem-solving ability. You’re comfortable with change and can quickly learn new skills or adapt to new teams. Such adaptability is an asset in fast-moving industries or roles where no two days are the same.
• Physical Training and Coaching: The Marines place strong emphasis on fitness and many Commandos serve as Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) or adventure training leaders during their service. You might have experience in coaching others through physical development, survival training, or team-building exercises. These skills can lead to careers in the fitness industry (personal trainer, outdoor adventure leader, physiotherapy assistant) or any role that benefits from your ability to train and motivate others in a hands-on way.
• Leadership and Initiative: Like the Army, Royal Marines often have to lead small units in challenging conditions without direct supervision. This fosters self-reliance and initiative. You’re used to making decisions in the field and taking responsibility for your team’s outcome – traits that are highly regarded in management positions, outdoor leadership roles, and entrepreneurship.

Example: One Royal Marine veteran reflected that his service “forged [him] into a formidable problem-solver, decisive leader, and tactical thinker” – attributes that he found “invaluable in the civilian world” where employers need people who can adapt, innovate, and lead in dynamic environments​.

3. Practical Framework for Identifying Your Transferable Skills

It’s common for veterans to underestimate their own skills. In fact, 2 in 5 veterans say they’d like guidance on recognizing their transferable skills and about one-third struggle to articulate those skills in job interviews. The good news is you can take proactive steps to assess and translate your military experience. Here is a step-by-step framework to help you identify your transferable skills:

1. List Your Military Roles and Responsibilities: Start by writing down all the roles you held in the military (e.g. Infantry Section Commander, Aircraft Technician, Naval Communications Specialist, etc.) and the key duties of each. Don’t forget temporary assignments, deployments, or training instructor roles – these often yield extra skills.
2. Break Down Tasks into Skills: For each duty or accomplishment, ask: What skills were needed to do this? For example, if you coordinated convoy movements, the underlying skills might be logistics planning, risk assessment, and teamwork. If you mentored junior soldiers, you used teaching and coaching skills. Make a comprehensive list of both technical skills (e.g. operating a specific equipment, using a software, speaking a foreign language) and soft skills (e.g. leading a team, mediating a conflict, adhering to safety protocols).
3. Use Self-Assessment Tools: To jog your memory and identify less obvious skills, consider using self-assessment worksheets or online tools. For instance, the UK National Careers Service offers a Skills Health Check that can help identify strengths. The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) also provides workshops and exercises for Service leavers to map out their skills in civilian language. Even an American tool like My Next Move’s “Military Skills Translator” can be useful – you enter your military role and it shows civilian roles and skills that match. Tools like the Redeployable Skills Translator (by a UK veteran-focused platform) can similarly translate military job titles into civilian terms, giving you insight into how your skills are described outside the forces.
4. Match Skills to Civilian Job Requirements: Think about the types of civilian careers or industries that interest you. Research some job descriptions in those fields and note the common skills or qualifications they ask for. Then go back to your list and circle the skills you have that those jobs need. You’ll likely find many overlaps. For example, a project management job posting might seek “team leadership, budget management, ability to meet deadlines” – which you may have done under a different name when running military projects or exercises. This exercise will highlight which of your skills are most marketable for your chosen path.
5. Get Feedback from Others: Sometimes friends or colleagues see strengths that you overlook. Talk to fellow veterans who’ve transitioned or mentors from resettlement programs. They can help identify skills in your experience that you might have taken for granted. For example, perhaps you thought “I was just doing my job” in organizing a training exercise, but others will point out that you demonstrated strong event planning and instructional skills. Consider reaching out to a CTP career coach or a mentor from a charity like the Forces Employment Charity – they are experienced in drawing out veterans’ transferable skills and building confidence.
6. Translate Military Jargon into Civilian Terms: As you identify each skill, practice describing it in plain English that civilians understand. Replace military jargon with equivalent civilian terms. For instance, instead of saying “I was a Company Sergeant Major in charge of discipline and kit inspections,” you could say “I was a senior team leader managing the performance and welfare of a 100-person department, ensuring compliance with high standards and health & safety policies.” Avoid acronyms and rank-specific terms on your skill list – this translation step is crucial for the next stage when you put these skills into a CV or interview answer.

Take your time with this process, and remember to write everything down. By the end, you should have a clear inventory of your transferable skills and concrete examples of when you demonstrated them. This will be the foundation for building your CV, cover letters, and interview stories.

Tip: The Open University’s webinar “Selling your skills to employers as a military veteran” is a great resource that guides veterans through identifying and translating their military experience​. Free workshops like this can reinforce the above steps with expert advice.

4. Industry-Specific Examples of Transferable Skills

Veterans enter a wide array of industries after leaving the Forces. Here are examples of how common military skills align with civilian sectors in the UK:

• Security & Law Enforcement: Discipline, situational awareness, and the ability to stay calm under pressure make veterans ideal for policing, private security, and protective services. For example, military rules of engagement and force protection duties translate to following strict procedures in policing or security guard work. Your weapons training or security clearance may help if you pursue roles in armed police units, prison services, or bodyguard work (though additional certifications might be required). Leadership and quick decision-making skills are crucial in emergency response situations, which you’ve experienced in the military. UK police forces actively recruit ex-military; recognising that veterans bring valuable attributes like discipline, resilience, and physical robustness to keeping the public safe. (In fact, some constabularies waive academic requirements for recent Service leavers, acknowledging military experience as an entry qualifier.)
• Logistics & Supply Chain Management: The military is fundamentally a logistics operation – moving troops and materiel where they need to be. If you planned transport convoys, managed a warehouse of supplies, or coordinated maintenance schedules, you have directly relevant skills for the logistics sector. Veterans are skilled in inventory management, transportation planning, and meeting tight deadlines, which aligns with roles like supply chain manager, warehouse supervisor, or logistics coordinator. Employers in these industries often note that ex-Forces personnel excel in teamwork, leadership and problem-solving, making them ideal for keeping complex supply chains running smoothly. Your experience using logistics software or handling classified supply missions can also set you apart when applying to delivery companies, manufacturing firms, or transport agencies.
• Engineering & Construction: Many UK veterans go into engineering trades, construction management, or infrastructure roles. Whether you’ve been a vehicle mechanic, an avionics technician, or a combat engineer building bridges, your hands-on technical skills are a huge asset. Military engineers have experience in maintenance, repair, and operating heavy machinery, often with industry-recognized qualifications. Skills like reading technical drawings, electrical wiring, welding, or combat construction easily translate to civilian construction sites and engineering projects. Additionally, military training in Health and Safety (risk assessments, safety drills) is highly applicable, since construction and engineering firms prioritise safety compliance. Employers also value the reliability and project management experience veterans bring: you’re used to finishing projects on time and to spec, even in difficult conditions. (One construction company noted that ex-military hires brought exceptional leadership, teamwork and discipline – exactly what’s needed on a building site to deliver results safely.)
• Information Technology (IT) & Cybersecurity: Armed Forces operations run on advanced technology, and many Service leavers move into IT roles. If you worked in signals (communications), intelligence, radar operations, or IT support in the military, you have strong foundational skills for the tech sector. Veterans are often experienced in networking, communications systems, satellite equipment, and encryption/cybersecurity practices from military service. These directly relate to jobs like network engineer, systems administrator, or cybersecurity analyst. Military experience with information security and cyber defence is especially valuable as companies face increasing cyber threats. You can confidently highlight any experience you have with secure communications, IT troubleshooting, or managing classified data systems. Organisations like TechVets in the UK even offer training pathways to help veterans convert their military cyber skills into certifications for the civilian market. As noted earlier, the technical skills gained in the Forces (including IT and cyber) are highly transferable to the booming cybersecurity and technology industry​.
• Project Management & Operations: Nearly every mid-senior military person has run some kind of project – organizing a training exercise, implementing a new system on base, or leading a deployment. The planning, coordination, and execution skills needed for those tasks are exactly what project managers and operations managers use in civilian businesses. Veterans are accustomed to managing resources, timelines, and teams to achieve objectives, often in high-stakes environments. This makes you well-suited for roles in operations management, business change management, or project coordination. In fact, many military leadership courses (like those at the Defence Academy) cover project management principles similar to PRINCE2 or PMP standards. Highlight experiences where you scoped a mission or initiative, allocated tasks, monitored progress, and delivered a result – that is project management in a nutshell. Your ability to see the bigger picture and drive multiple work streams is a rare skill. Sectors like manufacturing, consulting, and engineering are keen to hire veterans for their proven operational leadership. As one source notes, large-scale project management experience from the Forces is directly transferable to industry and highly valued.
• Healthcare & Emergency Services: If you served as a medic, nurse, or healthcare assistant in the Forces (e.g. RAMC in the Army or Medical Assistants in the Navy), you have clinical skills that are in demand in the NHS and private healthcare. Military medics are trained in trauma care, first aid under pressure, and often hold qualifications that map to civilian ones (like Emergency Medical Technician). Many ex-medics go on to become paramedics, A&E nurses, or physiotherapists – sometimes with some additional schooling or registration. Beyond clinical roles, veterans also thrive in emergency services like firefighting or ambulance services due to their calmness under pressure and teamwork. Even if you weren’t a medic, military life teaches lifesaving skills and emergency response (think of firefighting training on ships, or combat first aid). These can help you enter roles in health & safety, occupational health, or emergency planning. The NHS’s Step Into Health programme is a UK initiative that helps veterans (clinical or not) find roles in healthcare by matching their skills to NHS needs. For example, the attention to detail, protocol adherence, and communication skills drilled into you in the military are perfect for maintaining safety standards in a hospital or responding to crises calmly.
• Education & Training: Veterans often make excellent instructors, trainers, or teachers. In service, you might have instructed recruits, led workshops on new equipment, or mentored junior personnel. That experience can translate into careers like college lecturer, vocational trainer, corporate training facilitator, or school teacher. You’ll bring strong presentation skills, patience, and the ability to break down complex information for learners – proven by your military teaching courses (such as Defence Train The Trainer courses) or simply by leading by example. The UK has encouraged ex-Service members to go into teaching, recognizing qualities like leadership and resilience that can benefit schools. (Programmes like “Troops to Teachers” and bursaries for veterans retraining as teachers were created for this reason.) If you enjoy coaching and developing others, consider roles in apprenticeship training programs, outdoor education centers, or even youth work (where your experience can inspire and discipline young people). Many veterans also take on instructing roles in industries – e.g. training new hires in a security firm, or becoming a driving instructor – where your ability to teach and confidence in public speaking give you an edge.

Remember, your military skills are often industry-agnostic – leadership is as useful in a retail company as it is in the Marines, and technical know-how can be applied to new equipment. Often it’s about finding the right context. For instance, one Army veteran found that his risk assessment and safety enforcement skills were a perfect fit for a career in health & safety management

. By pinpointing how your abilities align with an industry’s needs, you can confidently pursue roles you might not have initially considered.

5. Applying Transferable Skills Beyond Employment

Your transferable skills don’t just help in landing a job – they can be the key to success in other post-military pursuits as well. Two common paths for veterans are starting a business and furthering your education or professional qualifications. Here’s how you can leverage your skills in those arenas:

Entrepreneurship: Starting Your Own Business

Many UK veterans go on to become successful entrepreneurs and small business owners. The qualities drilled into you in the Forces – discipline, resilience, leadership, and initiative – happen to be the same traits that help entrepreneurs thrive. A survey by Start Up Loans UK noted that a military career instills “countless transferrable skills invaluable to new business owners.” Chief among these are discipline, determination, teamwork, confidence, and leadership

. Running a business requires focus and follow-through; as a veteran you’re used to setting clear goals, sticking to schedules, and seeing tasks through – no matter what challenges arise. You’re also no stranger to adversity or risk. In the military, you learned to assess risks and make decisions with imperfect information, which is akin to the calculated risks entrepreneurs take. Your ability to lead and motivate a team (whether that’s co-founders or employees) can help build a strong company culture. And that famous calm-under-pressure means you won’t panic when faced with setbacks or tough competition – you’ll adapt and find solutions, just as you did in service.

All these skills give veterans a solid foundation to start a business. Of course, you may need to learn some specifics like accounting or marketing, but the core leadership and work ethic is already there. There are also UK resources to help veteran entrepreneurs: for example, X-Forces Enterprise (XFE) offers mentoring and business planning support for those leaving the military, and the Government’s Start Up Loans programme provides funding plus free advice (they even have veteran ambassadors). In short, don’t underestimate the business potential of skills like strategic planning, logistics, and the sheer determination you gained in uniform – they could be the launching pad for your own enterprise.

Higher Education and Professional Development

Another way to capitalise on your military-learned skills is to invest in further education or training. This can mean pursuing a university degree, a vocational training course, or industry-specific certifications. Veterans often find that structured learning is easier for them than for your average civilian student, thanks to your self-discipline and time management. Plus, you likely have experience studying while serving (through military courses or distance learning), so you know how to learn new concepts quickly – a valuable skill in higher education.

Importantly, the UK Armed Forces support lifelong learning for Service leavers through funding schemes. The MOD’s Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme provides financial assistance for courses and qualifications, even after you leave service. If you served at least 6 years (lower tier) or 8 years (upper tier), you likely have ELC funding you can use (within 5 or 10 years of leaving, depending on discharge date). This could help pay for a degree, a project management certification, a plumbing course – anything that’s on the approved list. For example, one Army veteran used her ELC credits to complete NEBOSH health & safety certifications, which helped her transition into a civilian HSE officer role. Check the official ELCAS website for how to claim your credits and see approved providers.

Beyond ELC, some universities and colleges have special schemes for ex-Forces. The Open University, for instance, has a Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund that offers free study to veterans injured in service

. Many institutions also recognize prior learning – meaning your military courses or leadership training might count as credits towards a qualification. It’s worth mentioning your military background when applying, as some universities have support staff for veterans or may even have bursaries (like the government’s former £40k bursary for veterans to train as teachers).

If a full degree is too time-consuming, consider short professional courses that add civilian credentials to your military skills. For example:

• If you were an Army driver or vehicle mechanic, getting your HGV license or automotive certifications can validate those skills for employers.
• If you were a military engineer, you could pursue a civilian trade certification (electrician, plumber) or a chartered engineering status.
• Leadership roles might consider a management diploma or a PRINCE2 project management certificate to formally recognise your project skills.
• Those with security experience could do the Security Industry Authority (SIA) license for security jobs, or a close protection course.
• For IT and cyber folks, vendor certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Cisco’s CCNA can be a great way to translate your practical knowledge into a resume-friendly qualification.

Engaging in further education not only boosts your knowledge but also shows employers you’re proactive and committed to professional growth. It can ease your transition by giving you up-to-date civilian context for your skills. And you’ll likely find that learning new things is actually enjoyable when you can apply your military-honed determination and focus – as one veteran student said, “the constantly changing environment of military life allowed me to draw on personal resilience to achieve my goals” in education.

6. How to Market Your Transferable Skills to Employers

Identifying your skills is half the battle – now you need to market them effectively so that UK employers understand and appreciate what you bring to the table. This involves translating your skills into CVs and cover letters, showcasing them in interviews (often using the STAR technique), and possibly gaining extra credentials to bolster your profile. Here are some tips for each stage:

Crafting a CV and Cover Letter that Showcase Your Skills

Your CV is typically the first impression you give a civilian employer, so it’s crucial to present your military experience in terms they value. Here’s how:

• Translate Military Titles and Jargon: As emphasized earlier, avoid military-specific terms. Instead of listing your rank and unit only, include a civilian-friendly role description. For example, if you were a “Platoon Commander,” you might write it as “Team Leader – 30 personnel”. If you managed the armoury, say “Managed equipment inventory and accountability for £X worth of assets” rather than using terms like QM or G1098 store. The key is to use language from the job advert you’re targeting. Mirror the words employers use. The Open University advises looking at job descriptions and adapting your own wording accordingly, so employers immediately see the fit​.
• Focus on Achievements and Results: Don’t just list duties; highlight what you achieved using those transferable skills. Civilians reading your CV want to know outcomes. Use quantifiable results where possible: e.g. “Improved unit readiness by 15% by implementing a new training program” or “Led a team that completed 50+ vehicle repairs per week, reducing downtime.” This shows your skills (leadership, efficiency, training ability) had real impact.
• Emphasize Relevant Skills Up Front: Consider adding a “Key Skills” or “Profile” section at the top of your CV. In this, mention the top 4-6 transferable skills you bring that match the job. For instance: “Skilled in team leadership, problem-solving, and operations coordination; excellent communication and stakeholder management; adept with technical systems.” This summary immediately tells the recruiter that you have the core competencies needed.
• Tailor Your Cover Letter: In the cover letter, explicitly connect your military experience to the specific role and company. Pick 2–3 of the transferable skills that the employer is looking for and give a brief example of how you’ve demonstrated each. For example: “In my military career, I developed strong logistics and planning skills, such as when I coordinated the distribution of supplies to 5 bases across challenging terrain, ensuring continuous operations. I’m confident this ability to organize complex tasks would benefit the multi-site delivery coordination that XYZ Company requires.” Also, convey enthusiasm about translating your military professionalism into success for their organisation. Keep the tone positive and focus on what you can offer to them (rather than what you lack).
• Avoid Assumptions: Don’t assume employers know how a given military skill is relevant – spell it out. If you mention you were responsible for training soldiers, clarify that this means you have training, mentoring and presentation skills and give an example of a training program you ran. Essentially, connect the dots for the reader so they see the direct line from your past experience to their needs.

A well-crafted CV and cover letter that use civilian terminology and stress achievements will significantly increase your chances of getting an interview. Remember the advice: “Avoid using military jargon… use civilian terminology that most employers will understand.”– this cannot be stressed enough. You want the hiring manager to read your application and think, “This candidate has exactly the kind of experience we need,” not “I don’t understand these military terms.”

Acing Interviews with the STAR Method

For many veterans, the interview stage can be daunting – it’s a different style of communication than military reports or orders. One proven technique to effectively communicate your skills and experience in interviews is the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This method helps you structure answers to behavioral questions (like “Tell me about a time you led a team through a challenge”) in a clear, concise way with a focus on results.

How to use STAR:

• Situation: Briefly set the context. What was the scenario? (e.g. “I was deployed as a section leader in charge of a supply convoy going through a high-risk area.”)
• Task: What was the specific challenge or task you had to handle? (e.g. “My task was to deliver vital supplies to an outpost, on schedule, while ensuring the safety of my team and cargo.”)
• Action: Explain what you did – focus on your personal actions and decisions, and the skills you used. (e.g. “I developed a detailed convoy plan with alternate routes, briefed my team on security protocols, and coordinated with air support for surveillance. When we encountered an unexpected roadblock, I quickly assessed a detour route and kept the team informed via radio to maintain cohesion.”)
• Result: End with the outcome, ideally in measurable or positive terms. (e.g. “We successfully delivered 100% of the supplies on time with no injuries or losses. In fact, my commander recognized our convoy for its efficiency under pressure.”)

Using STAR, you turn a potential long-winded war story into a tidy success story that highlights your transferable skills: in the above example, planning, leadership, problem-solving, communication, and adaptability all come through clearly.

Practice a few STAR stories that showcase different skills – leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, conflict resolution, etc. Have these examples ready to go, and tailor them to the question you’re asked. The STAR format ensures you cover all relevant points without rambling. It also helps the interviewer follow along, and crucially, it translates your military experience into results a civilian employer cares about (safety, timely delivery, recognition for efficiency). As one expert noted, STAR helps veterans convey their experiences in terms civilians understand, turning a military scenario into a relatable work achievement.

When answering, avoid acronyms or titles that the interviewer might not know. If you say “I was a detachment commander for an AD troop,” they might be lost; instead say “I led a 8-person unit responsible for air defence – basically protecting assets from air threats – and here’s what we achieved…”. Always loop back to the skill or trait you’re illustrating (e.g. “This example really shows my ability to adapt quickly and lead under pressure.”)

Finally, prepare for common interview questions like “What are your strengths/weaknesses?”, “Why do you want this job?”, or “Tell us about a challenge you overcame.” For each, consider which transferable skill you can highlight in your answer. Using the STAR stories and being ready to discuss how you’ll apply your military-honed strengths in their workplace will give you confidence. And don’t forget, interviews are two-way: your professionalism, punctuality, and confidence (all second nature to veterans) will already be speaking volumes to the employer before you even answer a question.

Gaining Civilian Certifications or Qualifications (if needed)

We touched on this in section 5 with education, but in the context of marketing yourself to employers, it’s worth noting: adding a civilian certification can sometimes be the key to unlocking an employer’s recognition of your skills.

Despite having years of experience, you might find that employers (or even automated HR systems) look for certain certificates or licenses. For example, you might have driven heavy trucks in the Army for 10 years, but many companies will require you to have the civilian HGV license on your CV. Or you may be an excellent project manager from leading military operations, but getting a PRINCE2 or APM certificate can make your expertise “legible” to a civilian HR manager who doesn’t know what a Brigade Major does.

Consider the field you’re entering and do a quick audit: are there any civilian tickets, certifications or registrations that would complement your experience? Common ones include:

• Construction/Engineering: CSCS card, NEBOSH or IOSH (health & safety), gas safe certification, electrician’s 18th Edition, etc.
• IT/Cyber: CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco, AWS, or other vendor certifications; perhaps a BS in IT if aiming for higher-level roles.
• Security/Law Enforcement: SIA license for security work, police constable exams (though some forces train you from scratch), first aid certificates.
• Logistics: CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) for transport managers, forklift license, HGV license.
• Management/Corporate: PRINCE2 (project management), CIPD (if moving into HR), ILM leadership certificates, or even an MBA for higher management – some senior officers do this.
• Healthcare: if you were a medic, getting an HCPC paramedic registration or nursing qualification through an access course; if you were involved in mental health or welfare, maybe a counselling certificate.

Acquiring these might be a matter of doing a short course or simply filling out paperwork to convert a military qual to a civilian one. The good news: the skills you learned in service often mean you can fast-track these qualifications. For instance, military medics can sometimes skip portions of paramedic training, and engineers often already hold civilian-recognised trade certificates from military courses. Always check with the relevant professional body – they might have special pathways for veterans.

By obtaining the right certification, you essentially validate your transferable skill in the civilian market. It can also boost your confidence, as you’ll know you meet industry standards. Use your resettlement grants or ELC funding if eligible to cover the costs – think of it as investing in your employability. And once you have that certificate, mention it prominently in your CV and interviews along with your experience. For example: “Completed IOSH Managing Safely certification to complement 5 years of hands-on workplace safety leadership in the Royal Navy.” This shows employers you have both theoretical and practical grounding.

In summary, marketing your skills is about communication and credibility: communicate your abilities in a way employers understand (CV, cover letter, interview), and build credibility by aligning yourself with civilian qualifications or terminology. Do this, and you’ll present yourself as a highly competent candidate with a unique and valuable background.

7. UK-Specific Support and Resources for Veterans

Transitioning to civilian life is a well-trodden path – and you’re not alone. The UK has numerous organisations, programmes, and initiatives dedicated to helping veterans identify their skills, find jobs, and access training. Here are some key UK-specific resources and support systems you should know about:

• Career Transition Partnership (CTP): The CTP is the official MoD resettlement programme for Service leavers, run in partnership with RightManagement. If you haven’t already, registering with CTP should be one of your first steps. They provide career coaching, workshops on CV writing and interview skills, insight days with employers, and access to a job vacancy database (RightJob). Crucially, CTP can help you with translating your military experience into civilian terms and identifying careers that suit your skills. They offer a Skills Assessment and Resettlement Training opportunities using your Standard Learning Credits. Thousands of veterans find work through CTP every year. (CTP’s support is available to all those who have served, generally from about 6 months before discharge up to 2 years after, but some services like the Lifetime Alumni access to their job board extend further.) As one guide notes, CTP is “the resettlement scheme from the Ministry of Defence that can help ex-military personnel find work” and connect you with a range of other support​. In short, make full use of the CTP – attend the workshops on identifying your transferable skills, and practice presenting them with CTP career consultants.

• Forces Employment Charity (RFEA): Formerly known as the Regular Forces Employment Association, the RFEA (branded as the Forces Employment Charity) provides lifelong job-finding support for veterans, no matter how long ago you left or what rank you were. They have regional employment advisors who can work with you one-on-one to build your CV, prepare for interviews, and match you to suitable job openings. Their focus is on those who might need extra help or who didn’t benefit from a smooth transition initially. The RFEA’s ethos is captured in their mission: “We give veterans the confidence to progress their careers and show employers how their skills and values can fit within the workforce.”

  They run specialised programs too – for example, Project Nova for veterans in the criminal justice system, and a Military Women programme to support female Service leavers. RFEA often works hand-in-hand with CTP (they are co-located on some bases) and with employers. If you’re struggling to identify what jobs to go for or how to network, RFEA can step in and guide you. Their support is free and can continue as long as you need. Many veterans credit RFEA with helping them finally understand the value of their military skills and landing a job where they could use them.

• Forces Friendly Employers and the Armed Forces Covenant: Over the past decade, the UK has made a big push to encourage employers to hire veterans. The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge employers can sign, committing to treat those who served fairly (for example, guaranteeing interviews to veterans who meet job criteria, or supporting reservists). There is also the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) with Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards for companies that actively support the armed forces community. As a job-seeker, it’s useful to know which companies are “forces-friendly.” The MOD maintains an Armed Forces Covenant Directory where you can search for Covenant signatories by region or industry. Additionally, many large employers have dedicated veteran recruitment programs. For example: Barclays Armed Forces Transition Programme (AFTER) helps veterans into finance roles, JP Morgan’s Military Transition Program, Deloitte and EY’s veterans initiatives for consulting, Amazon’s Military Recruitment, and the NHS Step Into Health scheme for healthcare careers​. These programs often offer insight days, mentoring, or tailored application processes for ex-Forces. It can be highly beneficial to target Covenant signatory companies or those known for hiring veterans, as they will likely appreciate your transferable skills more readily. Many have veteran networks internally too, which can provide support once you’re hired. In short, do your research on veteran-friendly employers – use the directory and look for company career pages that mention the Armed Forces. A company that has achieved the ERS Gold Award, for instance, has demonstrated significant support (like Lancashire Constabulary, which proudly hires many veterans​). This means when you apply there, you’re pushing against an open door.

• Sector-Specific Veteran Initiatives: Depending on your field of interest, there may be charities or groups that help veterans get into that industry. A few examples: BuildForce (connects veterans with construction industry opportunities and mentors), TechVets (a community offering free training and mentoring in IT/cybersecurity for veterans), Veterans into Logistics (helps train and place veterans into HGV driving jobs), F4H (Fishing for Forces) and HighGround (for land-based and agricultural careers), or Blue Lights Brigade (supporting transition into emergency services). There are also recruitment agencies specialising in ex-military placements, such as Demob Job, ForceSelect, and Manpower’s “Veterans Talent Community”. While using a recruitment agency is optional, know that some employers specifically go to these agencies to find veteran talent for roles requiring your skillset. Keep an eye out for job fairs as well – the British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) and CTP hold career fairs where dozens of forces-friendly employers gather to recruit Service leavers. It’s an efficient way to feel out what industries value your skills.

• Training and Funding Programs: We discussed ELC and courses in section 5, but to reiterate as a resource: ELCAS (Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service) is your portal for using those funds. Also, the Learning Resettlement Grant (for those who served 6+ years) can provide around £534 (as of 2024) towards training of your choice, which can be used in addition to ELC. Some charities provide grants for vocational training for veterans in need – for instance, Help for Heroes has been known to fund training courses for wounded veterans starting new careers, and the Royal British Legion sometimes helps with education grants. UCAS even has a dedicated process for veterans and forces families if you’re applying to university, with guidance on how to translate your qualifications. The UK government’s Career Enhancement Opportunities and apprenticeship schemes are open to veterans too – you might be able to do an apprenticeship in a new trade at an older age, with your military experience giving you an advantage in the selection. Essentially, there is financial and practical help out there to get any additional skills or qualifications you need for your chosen path, so take advantage of it.

• Networking and Mentoring: Finally, one of the greatest resources is the veteran community itself. Organisations like LinkedIn have thriving veteran networks – joining groups like “UK Armed Forces Veterans” or following the hashtag #MilitaryTransition can connect you with people who’ve been through it. Charities such as SSAFA and The Officers’ Association (for officer careers) also run mentoring schemes where they pair you with someone in industry to give you advice. Don’t hesitate to reach out to those networks for informational interviews or insights into how your skills might fit in a certain field. Most ex-military folks are eager to help others coming up behind them.

In summary, the UK support system for transitioning veterans is robust. From the structured guidance of CTP, to the one-on-one help of the Forces Employment Charity, to a wide array of employers ready to welcome you – you have a strong safety net. Use these resources to refine your understanding of your transferable skills and to open doors to opportunities where those skills can shine. The combination of your own proactive skills mapping plus professional support and training will set you up for a successful new career chapter.

Conclusion: Moving from military to civilian life is undoubtedly a big change, but the skills and values you carry from your service are incredibly valuable in the civilian workforce. By clearly identifying your transferable skills – leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, technical know-how, discipline, adaptability, and more – you can build confidence in what you offer. Remember to translate those skills into language and qualifications civilians understand, and seek out industries and employers that appreciate them. With practical preparation (like crafting a great CV and practicing STAR stories) and the wealth of UK-specific resources available, you are well equipped to navigate this transition. Many have gone before you and found fulfilling second careers, from former corporals now leading corporate teams, to naval engineers driving innovation in industry, to commandos now successful entrepreneurs. Your experience has value – civilian employers do want what you’ve got. Embrace the journey of showcasing your military-earned skills in new arenas. With determination and the right support, you’ll be able to secure not just a job, but a role in which you continue to grow, contribute, and succeed in civilian life. Good luck with your next mission!​