Military Service as a Pathway to a Federal Career

The following post explores Military Service as a Pathway to a Federal Career.

If you’re a young person and you’re thinking long term – joining the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force is a strategic way to lay the groundwork for a future career in public service.

Read: Introduction to The Pathways Program (for Students and Recent Graduates)

Related: Best Federal Resume Writing Services

In addition to providing essential skills, military service also allows for networking opportunities and mentorship from seasoned professionals in both the Armed Forces and government sectors.

Here’s what you need to know.

Special Preference

Did you know the U.S. federal government gives special preference to Veterans? That’s right, if you’ve served in the Armed Forces you’re better positioned for a government job when it comes time to leave the military.

Federal agencies actively seek to recruit Veterans. Special preference not only recognizes the sacrifices made by military personnel but also acknowledges the experience, skills, and qualities they bring to the workforce.

No Education Necessary

One of the most appealing aspects of military service is that you can enter without a college degree. The Armed Forces provide comprehensive training that equips you with the necessary skills for various roles within the military and later in government positions.

Transferable Skills

The skills developed through military service are usually transferable to government roles. Federal agencies value the discipline, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities that military personnel bring to the table.

Making the Shift

After a long tenure of military service, shifting into federal employment is a natural landing spot.

Making the transition from active duty to federal employment isn’t easy, but there are programs like Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) that make it easier. VRA allows eligible Veterans to be appointed to federal positions without the need for the traditional competitive hiring process. That means bypassing time consuming formalities like competitive examinations and written requirements like KSAs, MTQs, and ECQs.

Pictured below is a Reddit discussion of a transitioning service member.

Pictured: Reddit forum discussion.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, I hope this post is helpful in terms of seeing military service as a pathway to a federal career.

Personally, I never served. That’s probably good, because I wouldn’t have lasted long in the military. However, my grandfather served in WWII for the US Air Force and I am proud of his service.

The point of this article is simply to let patriotic young Americans know that on the backend of their service time could be a rewarding career within the United States federal government.