Many military careers will provide relevant experience in a number of in-demand career fields, even many skills not necessarily related to their primary military occupation. Consider all the operational tasks needed to accomplish a unit’s mission on any given day; things that don’t touch aircraft, vehicles, or weapons. Every veteran has likely had to:
- Make tactical decisions about operational objectives with limited resources
- Follow and improve best practices and procedures
- Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
- Make critical decisions amidst rapidly changing priorities and incomplete data
- Deliver important initiatives
In the military, these are just everyday interactions, things you must do to keep a unit running smoothly. In the civilian world, these are necessary skills for people working in operations management.
Operations and the military
Operations management is a logical transition for military skill sets because it includes the oversight of people, processes, technology, and equipment to deliver results and accomplish the company mission. Regardless of company sector or industry, there are always daily operations to oversee.
Common functions of civilian operations managers include:
- Planning and staffing needs
- Providing training support and operational guidance
- Finding ways to improve efficiencies
- Cost reduction
- Spending management
Just like leaders in the military, operations managers make decisions to guard company resources in an environment where resources are scarce.
For example, a squadron may require 10 fully mission-capable aircraft and only seven are ready. The process of identifying which jets to prioritize fixing by considering the cause of aircraft status, staffing available by skill, repair timelines, and parts available is an example of operations management in action.
Transitioning into operations
Operations can be an easy transition for veterans because of the organizational structure and clear-cut areas of oversight it offers. For many, understanding how an organization functions, who makes decisions, and who is in your chain of command is an important determinant of success. Operations management even lends itself to a clear understanding of the company mission, as the reporting structure is often more similar to a military chain of command.
A career in operations can also provide pathways for advancement in business functions. The non-profit nature of the military means most veterans don’t have experience with revenue growth or “top-line” management. Operations, which focuses more on “bottom line” or cost management, can be a more comfortable entry point for building business financial acumen and understanding greater business functions.
As you manage daily operations, you will be exposed to holistic budget discussions, revenue growth strategies, and more. This is especially beneficial for veterans who didn’t pursue a financial or business education, as you will gain real-world experience managing these critical disciplines.
Get started in operations
One great aspect of operations management is its application in all lines of business. Even those who are unsure of where to start can look for a role roughly aligned with their military occupation. After gaining more industry-specific experience, you can explore broader opportunities within operations.
Another option is to conduct skill keyword searches. Keywords like “production planning,” “inventory management,” and “workforce planning” can help you identify roles that align with your experience but may not have “operations management” in the title.
Some companies even offer specific military hiring pathways with a heavy emphasis on operations roles. Others have established pathways for promotion, developmental rotations, and exposure to additional responsibilities to promote advancement and growth within the field.
Find a good fit
Operations management might be a good fit for any veteran, but don’t stop exploring other career fields. Civilian career progression is not always linear; companies won’t always have identical roles, titles, or job descriptions, and promotions don’t follow set timelines and cycles.
Connect with leaders and professionals from various industries whose roles may differ from your military experience and ask about their career journey. It’s important to remember your post-military career is going to be unique and personal to you. Be prepared to employ all your skills, experience, efforts, and maybe a bit of luck and good timing.
Explore opportunities in operations management and more at RecruitMilitary.com.
Joel Martycz is a U.S. Air Force veteran, Healthcare Operations and Supply Chain executive, and veteran career coach.