HOW VETS CAN FIND CIVILIAN PUBLIC SERVICE JOBS THAT FIT THEIR MOS

As an integral part of the community, public service role hold great value in the civilian world.
Federal agencies, the state, and the local governments always need disciplined professionals like them, and it’s actually one of the best parts about going into public service. If your role in the military has a connection to public service, then you are well-trained to work under pressure, and there are a lot of public service jobs that can be aligned for you.
Public Service Jobs Aligned to Your Military Experience
Public service jobs have a huge range of different roles. Often, people think of police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, and the like. However, most of the time, it also includes emergency, public administration, transportation safety, and more.
The military possesses similar roles to these, such as a military police officer, operations specialist, personnel manager, or even an intelligence analyst.
It’s related more than you know, and if you want to transition to have a civilian life, then there’s public service jobs that are well aligned with you even if your military role isn’t directly related to law enforcement. Additionally, there’s a lot of MOS codes that are about supplying logistics, communications, or human resources.

How Your Military Experience Applies to Public Service Positions
Working in public service is actually very similar to working in the military, and maybe you’re just not aware of it. Both the military and civilians need people who are able to follow rules, take care of others, and really stay organized to be on top of everything.
So, working in the military, you’re most likely a part of a team that has to stay always ready and act fast when people urgently need you, and let’s be real, the civilian public service industry jobs aren’t any different. All roles, such as police officers, corrections managers, and even administrative staff (yes, they are included too), have to be always alert and detail-oriented.
To be honest, you don’t have to have a combat job to be a good fit for public service jobs because most of the responsibilities stay the same, with just a different job title.
MOS Codes That Can Fit Public Service Jobs
If you’re still not sure where to start, or just don’t know what MOS codes are a good fit with public service jobs, worry no more, as we’ve got it covered for you:
- MOS 31 – Military Police
- MOS 31B – Military Police
- MOS 31D – CID Special Agent
- MOS 31E – Internment/Resettlement Specialist
- MOS 31K – Working Dog Handler
- MOS 74 – Chemical, CBRN
- MOS 74D – Focused on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialists
- MOS 42 – Adjutant General’s Corps
- MOS 42A – Human Resources Specialist
- MOS 92 – Quartermaster Corps
- MOS 92A – Automated Logistical Specialist
- MOS 92L – Petroleum Laboratory Specialist
- MOS 92M – Mortuary Affairs Specialist
- MOS 92R – Parachute Rigger
- MOS 92S – Shower/Laundry and Clothing Repair Specialist
- MOS 92W – Water Treatment Specialist
- MOS 92Y – Unit Supply Specialist
- MOS 25 – Signal Corps
- MOS 25B – Information Technology Specialist
- MOS 88 – Transportation
- MOS 88H – Cargo Specialist
- MOS 88K – Watercraft Operator
- MOS 88L – Watercraft Engineer
- MOS 88M – Motor Transport Operator
- MOS 68 – Medical CMF
- MOS 68B – Orthopedic Specialist
- MOS 68C – Practical Nursing Specialist
- MOS 68D – Operating Room Specialist
- MOS 68G – Patient Administration Specialist
- MOS 68J – Medical Logistics Specialist
- MOS 68K – Medical Laboratory Specialist
- MOS 68N – Cardiovascular Specialist
- MOS 68P – Radiology Specialist
- MOS 68Q – Pharmacy Specialist
- MOS 68S – Preventive Medicine Specialist
- MOS 68U – Ear, Nose, and Throat
- MOS 68V – Respiratory Specialist
- MOS 68W – Health Care Specialist
Now, you might be wondering what kind of job in the civilian world would be a good fit with these MOS codes, so here are some public service jobs that can fit well:
- Police Officer or Sheriff’s Deputy: A perfect role for you if you worked in military law enforcement or security.
- Corrections Officer: This role usually involves many Veterans transitioning to working in correctional facilities or juvenile justice centers.
- Emergency Management Specialist: Planning or operations during missions is the focus here, so if you worked in that area, this could be for you.
- HR or Admin Support: They usually work in local government offices, so if you worked in personnel or admin in the military, it’s a good fit for you.
- Public Transit Driver or City Fleet Operator: If you know that you’ve got great driving skills, especially with large vehicles, this is the one for you.
- IT or Communications Technician: With this role, you can support city or county tech systems.
- Public Works Technician: Your logistics or engineering experience could help with construction, planning, or roadwork in a city department.
All of these roles are in high demand in all countries, and many offer Veteran preference when applying, and they come with good benefits.

MOS Codes That Can Fit Public Service Jobs
Now that we know what public service jobs can work for you, of course, we have to also learn the steps to take before transitioning into civilian life to make everything easier for us.
The first and most important step of them all is to get your resume very clear and in a simple language that employers in the civilian world can understand.
On the other hand, public service jobs might require certifications, like police work or public administration, so you have to get one for the job you want. However, the good thing here is that some programs offer Veteran pathways based on your military training, so it’s definitely worth asking.
Also, of course, the most important thing is that you need to practice talking about your military experience, again, in a way that civilians can understand. You can focus on how you worked within teams, how you solved work problems, or how you stayed calm while under pressure.
The qualities you have are what most civilian public service jobs look for, so don’t doubt yourself because there’s always a role that is a good fit for you, and you can absolutely build a strong career in the civilian world that aligns with your MOS code.
Read next:
- These Are the Best Career Options for Vets With a Healthcare and Medical Services MOS
- 7 Fun Facts About the Military to Share During Military Appreciation Month
- The Best Career Options for Vets With an Administration and Recruitment MOS
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