How to Explain My MOS on a Civilian Resume
Learn how to explain your MOS on a civilian resume. Understand what hiring managers look for and how to translate your military specialty into business language.
Every veteran knows their MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) code by heart.
But most civilian employers have no idea what those letters and numbers mean.
When a recruiter reads “11B” or “25B,” they see a code, not a skill.
That’s why so many strong candidates get overlooked. The challenge isn’t your background, it’s the translation gap between military and corporate language.
The good news is that this can be fixed with clarity and structure.
What Is an MOS, and Why It Matters
An MOS identifies your job specialty in the military. It defines what you did, your training, and often your leadership level.
The key to writing a powerful resume is not just listing your MOS, but explaining what it means in civilian terms.
Your goal is to help a recruiter or hiring leader to understand how that experience adds value in their world.
Step 1: Spell It Out Clearly
Start by writing your MOS title in plain English, not just the code.
Example:
Instead of: MOS 25B
Write: Information Technology Specialist (25B)
Then, follow it with a short description in everyday terms:
“Managed network systems, supported hardware troubleshooting, and maintained communication security for 200+ users.”
This instantly helps the reader connect the dots.
Step 2: Focus on Skills, Not Structure
The civilian recruiter does not care about your command hierarchy. They care about your skills.
Translate each major responsibility into a skill statement using business-friendly action verbs like “managed,” “trained,” “implemented,” and “analyzed.”
✅ Example Conversion Table
| Military Wording | Civilian Translation | Skill Area |
| Supervised 15 personnel in field operations | Led and developed a 15-member cross-functional team | Leadership |
| Conducted weapons and security inspections | Ensured compliance with safety and risk management standards | Compliance |
| Managed tactical communication systems | Installed and supported IT network infrastructure | Information Technology |
| Coordinated logistics and supply missions | Oversaw inventory, distribution, and operational logistics | Operations Management |
Step 3: Use Online Translation Tools
You do not need to guess. The U.S. Department of Labor provides free resources to help translate your MOS automatically.
Recommended Tools:
- O*NET Military Crosswalk (onetonline.org/crosswalk)
- CareerOneStop Military Skills Translator
- DoD SkillBridge
These tools show which civilian job titles align with your MOS and provide relevant skills that you can plug directly into your resume.
For example:
- MOS 11B (Infantryman) → Security Specialist, Operations Supervisor, Team Leader
- MOS 25B (Information Technology Specialist) → IT Support Specialist, Network Administrator, Systems Analyst
Step 4: Add Quantifiable Results
Hiring managers understand results better than ranks.
Translate your military accomplishments into measurable outcomes whenever possible.
Example:
“Trained and supervised 30 team members in cybersecurity protocols, achieving zero network breaches over a two-year period.”
“Managed equipment and assets valued at $4 million with 100 percent accountability.”
This shows both responsibility and results in a way any employer can appreciate.
Step 5: Use the Right Resume Format
Place your MOS under the Experience section, but keep the focus on outcomes and skills, not codes.
Example Resume Snippet:
Experience
United States Army — Information Technology Specialist (25B)
2018 – 2024
Provided end-user technical support and maintained secure communication systems for 200+ personnel.
Diagnosed and resolved network issues, improving uptime by 20 percent.
Trained 10 junior technicians on system maintenance and cybersecurity protocols.
Step 6: Use Civilian Job Keywords
Each MOS connects naturally to specific civilian job categories.
Use these keywords to make your resume readable by both people and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems).
| MOS | Civilian Keywords | Industries |
| 11B | Security, Operations, Emergency Response, Training | Law Enforcement, Logistics, Manufacturing |
| 25B | IT Support, Network Administration, Cybersecurity | Technology, Defense, Government |
| 68W | Medical Assistance, Health Services, Patient Care | Healthcare, Emergency Response |
| 88M | Transportation, Fleet Operations, Logistics | Supply Chain, Delivery Services |
Including these keywords helps your resume rank higher and reach recruiters who are actively searching for those skills.
Step 7: Validate Your Civilian Fit
Once you have translated your MOS, make sure your resume reads naturally.
Ask a friend, mentor, or recruiter in the civilian world to review it.
Or better, upload it to The Job Hack AI Resume Review Tool.
It instantly evaluates your resume’s civilian readability, skill clarity, and ATS compliance.
👉 Start your review → thejobhack.com
Final Tip
Your MOS is not a barrier, it is a credential.
It tells the story of what you can do under pressure, in complex systems, with limited resources.
Translate it clearly, and you transform confusion into connection.