Translating Armed Forces roles into civilian rail job titles

Every year, thousands of highly skilled individuals leave the Armed Forces and enter the civilian job market, but the transition isn’t always easy. Most bring leadership experience, operational expertise, resilience and the ability to perform under pressure to the table. Yet despite these strengths, many find themselves overlooked during the recruitment process.

The reason is not a lack of experience or capability, it’s often simply because their military background has not been translated into language that recruiters, hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can easily recognise.

This raises an important question for rail and infrastructure recruitment: are employers missing out on exceptional talent because they do not fully understand how Armed Forces experience translates into civilian roles?

When skills get lost in translation

Most recruitment processes rely on job titles, keywords and sector-specific terminology to shortlist candidates. An ATS may be programmed to identify terms such as "Operations Manager", "Project Manager" or "Engineering Supervisor", for example. However, it may not recognise military titles that demonstrate equivalent levels of responsibility and expertise.

For example, a former Royal Engineer may have managed complex projects, coordinated teams and delivered critical infrastructure under challenging conditions. Yet if their CV only references military terminology, employers and sifting tools may not instantly recognise the relevance of that experience.

Similarly, an Army logistics specialist may have extensive experience managing supply chains, inventory and transportation across multiple locations, but find their application overlooked because their job title does not align with civilian logistics roles. The challenge is not capability, it is translation and how employers manage this.

Access to transferable skills

If we delve into this topic in further detail, it’s safe to say that many of the qualities developed in military service are exactly those employers seek across the infrastructure, rail, engineering and construction sectors.

Examples include:

• Teamwork and Leadership: Whether leading a unit, coordinating personnel or supporting operational delivery, Armed Forces personnel develop leadership skills from an early stage in their careers. They understand accountability, decision making and how to motivate teams towards a common objective, even in demanding environments.
• Planning and Organisation: Military operations require meticulous planning, effective coordination and the ability to deliver against strict deadlines. These skills translate directly into project management, site supervision, operations management and programme delivery roles.
• Resourcefulness and Problem Solving: Unexpected challenges are a routine part of military life. Armed Forces personnel learn how to assess risks, adapt plans and find practical solutions when circumstances change. In infrastructure and engineering environments, where projects rarely go exactly according to plan, this ability can be invaluable.
• Adaptability and a Can-Do Attitude: The willingness to embrace change, learn new skills and operate in unfamiliar environments is deeply embedded within military culture. Former service personnel often bring a strong work ethic and a positive attitude that helps teams overcome obstacles and maintain momentum.
• Camaraderie and Collaboration: Success in the Armed Forces depends on trust, teamwork and communication. Veterans understand the importance of supporting colleagues, working towards shared goals and creating a culture where everyone plays their part. These qualities are particularly valuable in safety-critical sectors such as rail, civils and construction.
• Cultural Awareness and Diverse Experience: Many Armed Forces careers involve working alongside people from different backgrounds, cultures and nationalities, often in complex international environments. This experience can help individuals build effective relationships, manage stakeholders and contribute positively to diverse workplaces.

Real stories demonstrate the potential

At MSSI, we see firsthand how Armed Forces experience translates into successful civilian careers. As highlighted in our blog, former service personnel have built rewarding careers across the business by applying the skills they developed during military service.

Individuals such as Lee Hunt have successfully transitioned from the Royal Marines into supervisory roles within rail infrastructure, while others including John Gibson, Brian Hopkinson and Marau have progressed into operational, leadership and account management positions across the sector. Despite following different career paths, they all share a common theme: the qualities developed in the Armed Forces continue to underpin their success today.

Their stories demonstrate that military experience is not something employers should struggle to interpret. It is a proven foundation for leadership, operational excellence and long-term career progression.

What employers can do better

If employers in infrastructure and rail are committed to widening their talent pools and addressing ongoing skills shortages, there needs to be greater recognition of how military experience maps to civilian roles. This starts with reviewing recruitment processes and considering whether job descriptions, screening criteria and ATS systems unintentionally exclude candidates who possess the right skills but use different terminology.

Employers can also:

• Focus on skills and experience rather than job titles alone.
• Train recruiters and hiring managers to understand military-to-civilian career pathways.
• Encourage candidates to explain military responsibilities using civilian language.
• Partner with experts that actively support Armed Forces leavers into employment.

Helping Armed Force personnel work in rail

At MSSI, we are proud to support ex-Armed Forces personnel as they transition into rewarding careers across rail, civils, infrastructure and plant. If you're leaving the Forces and looking for your next opportunity, or you're an employer keen to access this exceptional talent pool, get in touch to learn how we can help bridge the gap between military experience and civilian careers.