How Veterans Can Turn Military Skills Into Cybersecurity Careers

It’s been a question for as long as military service has been part of American life. What can a veteran do for employment once their time in the armed forces is over?

One expert tells Military.com that information technology and cybersecurity fields are a growing option for veterans who can translate their military training and skills into successful IT careers.

“Some veterans leave the military with direct experience involving communications systems, networks, electronics, logistics, data or security protocols. Others may come from occupational specialties with little direct connection to technology but have transferable skills that can provide a foundation for an IT career,” Grant Gibson, an IT expert with MyComputerCareer, said in an interview with Military.com. “The challenge is often translating that experience into terms civilian employers recognize.”

Gibson is a Marine Corps veteran and a lead instructor for MyComputerCareer, which is an accredited technical college offering hands-on IT training and certifications through online and on-campus classes in networking, cybersecurity, and technical careers. No prior IT experience is required.

The school runs a Cyber Warrior Program with 12-24 weeks or 480 hours of total instruction time that is military-friendly and offers Department of Defense-compliant certifications, SkillBridge eligibility, and GI Bill benefit availability for veterans transitioning into civilian IT careers.

Veterans Struggle to Find Second Careers

Still, even with employment and training options available, veterans still struggle to find meaningful second careers. A 2023 survey commissioned by Veterans of Foreign Wars found that veterans transitioning to civilian life ranked finding a job and finding a purposeful career among the greatest non-health difficulties they face, at 33% and 28% respectively.

Part of the problem, Gibson said, is the increasing use of AI in various industries that has led to job losses. But he said there are still opportunities.

“Some organizations that reduced headcounts in favor of AI-driven automation are now rehiring for similar roles after discovering how much human oversight the technology still requires,” Gibson said. “AI needs people who understand how it works, where it falls short, and how to use it effectively in real-world workflows. Veterans often possess many of the attributes organizations are looking for in these roles.”

So how does a veteran connect their military skills to an actual IT career? Gibson’s advice is to add as much detail as possible to a resume.

“Rather than simply listing military responsibilities on resumes, veterans can benefit from identifying the skills behind those responsibilities: the systems they operated, problems they solved, processes they improved and decisions they made when something went wrong,” he said. “The ability to troubleshoot problems, follow complex processes, work as part of a team, communicate clearly, operate under pressure and learn new systems are all important intangibles to have in today’s changing IT environment.”

AI Literacy Becoming Vital For IT Employment

Technology jobs ranging from IT administrators to cybersecurity analysts can offer attractive career paths, but Gibson warns that basic AI literacy likely won’t be enough.

“Employers need professionals who can use AI to improve productivity without becoming overly reliant on the technology or neglecting the fundamental skills required to understand the systems around it,” Gibson said. “Candidates must understand how AI fits into technology workflows, how to apply it appropriately, how to recognize unreliable outputs and when human judgment and oversight remain necessary.”

Real-world military applications could be key.

“Hiring managers increasingly look for evidence that candidates can troubleshoot problems, work through technical scenarios and explain the reasoning behind their decisions,” Gibson said. “Labs, home projects, simulations and industry-recognized certifications can provide opportunities to build and demonstrate practical skills. A candidate who can walk an interviewer through configuring a network, troubleshooting a security issue or solving a problem in a lab environment has tangible experience to discuss beyond coursework or credentials.”

Steps For Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Work

Gibson’s Cyber Warrior Program suggests several steps veterans can take to build on their military experience to secure civilian employment:

• Translate military experience for civilian employers. Identify the technical and transferable capabilities behind military responsibilities and describe them in terminology employers recognize.

• Research target roles before choosing a training path. Review job postings to understand which skills, certifications and experience employers actually require.

• Look for opportunities to gain experience. Internships, apprenticeships, volunteer work and hands-on projects can help bridge the gap between training and a first civilian IT role.

• Keep learning after the transition. Technology and employer expectations will continue to evolve, making ongoing skill development an important part of an IT career.

“The technology job market is changing, but that does not mean transitioning service members have missed their opportunity to enter the field,” Gibson said. “Veterans already bring valuable experience and transferable skills to the table. By pairing that background with practical technical knowledge and AI literacy, they can position themselves to compete in an evolving IT workforce.”