Military CV example

This guide takes you through the full process of writing a CV which is strong and well-targeted. From organising your structure to translating military terminology into civilian language, you’ll learn how to write each section in a way that highlights your discipline and problem-solving skills.

Whether you’re applying for logistics, operations, engineering, or security roles, this guide will help you land more interviews and job offers.

A strong CV should function like a field report: clearly structured and easy to navigate quickly. Think of it as your first mission briefing to a potential employer – they need to scan it quickly and understand exactly what you bring to the role without having to decode military jargon. Your structure should guide recruiters effortlessly through all the important details.

Here’s the layout to follow:

• Name and contact details – Place your name and personal details prominently at the top of your CV for quick access. Adding a photo is up to you.
• Profile – Open with a compelling overview of your skills, experience, and career goals.
• Core skills – List your key abilities in this section, focusing on those that will be most relevant to the job.
• Work experience – Provide a detailed breakdown of your work history, starting with the most recent job first.
• Education – List your qualifications, including degrees and relevant certifications, in reverse chronological order.
• Additional info – Use this optional space for relevant hobbies or personal pursuits that enhance your application.
  

Make sure to use bullet points to organise key details and avoid dense text blocks that slow the reader down. Keep headings clearly labelled so each section stands out, and choose a clean and professional font that ensures readability. 

Don’t exceed two pages – most employers won’t read beyond that length, no matter how impressive your service history is. A sharp CV format which follows the above tips reflects the discipline and clarity you’re known for – and that’s exactly what civilian employers want to see.

This is the top section of your CV and your chance to make a strong first impression – think of it as your personal mission statement. In just a few lines, you need to convey the value you bring and how your military background translates into real-world expertise.

Your professional profile should summarise your rank, experience level, and areas of specialisation, while highlighting transferable skills that matter to civilian employers – like leadership or crisis management. This is your opportunity to show not just what you’ve done, but how it prepares you for the role you’re targeting now.

In your profile, you should include:

• Where you served – Note the branch (Army, Navy, RAF, Royal Marines), including regiments or units where relevant
• Your top qualifications – Mention things like NVQs, military trade training, or relevant licences
• Essential skills – Planning operations, leading teams, maintaining equipment, handling logistics – show what you did
• Rank and responsibility – Clarify the level you worked at and whether you led teams or specialised in a technical role
• Career direction – Indicate the kind of roles you’re targeting now, especially if transitioning to civilian work
  

This section offers a quick overview of what you bring to the table. Think of the most important skills which reflect your strengths and tailor them to different types of roles – from logistics and planning to physical security or engineering.

Think in terms of transferable, job-ready skills. Whether you’re applying for a security role or project manager position, adapt this list to match. Avoid military-specific terms unless they’re clearly explained – you’re writing for civilians now.

This is where your service record comes into focus. Each role you list should show what you did and how your actions had an impact. Use reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent experience. Break up the text with bullet points, and translate military terms into civilian equivalents wherever possible.

And remember: deployments, exercises, and training ops count as experience – don’t leave them out if they show leadership achievements or initiative.

• Outline – Summarise your unit or posting and your role within it. Include your rank, who you reported to, and the purpose of your team (e.g. logistics support, frontline command, maintenance, communications).
• Responsibilities – Break down your daily duties using action verbs such as “led” or “coordinated.” For example: “led pre-deployment logistics for 100+ personnel” or “coordinated secure communications across multinational teams.” Focus on what you did, not just your job title.
• Achievements – Include specific wins, such as efficiency improvements, leadership recognition, successful operations, or qualifications earned. Use facts and figures wherever possible to prove your impact.

This section covers both your academic background and military training – both are valid and valuable.

Include education like GCSEs, A-levels, degrees, or diplomas, as well as military courses like trade training, Phase 2 training, and other specialist instruction.

List everything in reverse chronological order. If you’re applying to civilian roles, emphasise training with widely recognised relevance, like first aid, logistics, IT systems, or leadership development.