Veterans don’t just have a ‘good set of skills’ - they have skills that have been sharpened under pressure, tested in high-stakes environments, and relied upon when failure wasn’t an option. Meanwhile, your average university graduate is still figuring out how to mute themselves on Zoom. So why should ex-military candidates start from the bottom? 

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Answer: they shouldn’t.

Why Veterans Should Skip the Entry-Level Queue

In the military, every person on a team has a role that contributes to the mission’s success. That’s not ‘work experience’ - that’s operational expertise. In the corporate world, the same applies. A well-functioning sales team, for example, doesn’t just need individuals who can make calls; it needs structured leadership, clear delegation, and a team that understands how to work towards a shared goal.

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Veterans already know how to do this. The specifics of the job, whether it’s SaaS sales (learn more about these roles), project management, or operations, can be learned. 

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What can’t be taught as easily? The ability to lead, adapt, communicate, and problem-solve under pressure. That’s where veterans have the edge.

The Skills That Make Veterans Executive-Level Ready

Leadership

Let’s be clear: leadership isn’t about barking orders. It’s about motivating a team, making tough calls, and keeping people moving towards a goal. In corporate speak, that’s called ‘people management’—and businesses pay a lot for people who can do it well.

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✅ Military: Leading operations, managing teams, making decisions under pressure.
✅ Civvy Street: Managing teams, executing company strategy, making informed business decisions.

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Want more? Read this article on why veterans make great leaders. 

Teamwork

Veterans don’t need ‘team-building retreats’ to understand how to work with others. In the military, teamwork is the difference between success and failure. In civilian roles, it’s no different—whether that’s in sales, logistics, or project management.

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✅ Military: Coordinating roles, supporting each other in high-pressure environments.
✅ Civvy Street: Collaborating across departments, working towards business targets, problem-solving as a team.

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Want more? Check out this article by Greg Poole on translating leadership. 

Adaptability

The corporate world calls it ‘agility.’ You call it ‘another day in the field.’ Whether it’s shifting priorities, adapting to new tech, or responding to crises, veterans do this instinctively. That’s why they thrive in industries like SaaS, operations, and leadership roles.

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✅ Military: Reacting to changing environments, solving problems with limited resources.
✅ Civvy Street: Navigating shifting market trends, responding to customer needs, leading change.

Communication

If veterans had a pound for every time they heard ‘communication is key,’ they wouldn’t need a job in the first place. The reality is, clear, concise communication underpins everything from leadership to customer service.

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✅ Military: Briefing teams, relaying mission-critical information, assessing non-verbal cues.
✅ Civvy Street: Presenting strategies, managing stakeholder expectations, building client relationships.

Strategic Planning

You don’t go into an operation without a plan. The same applies to businesses. Whether it’s sales strategy, risk management, or scaling a business, veterans bring structured, strategic thinking that companies need.

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✅ Military: Planning missions, adjusting tactics based on intel, managing resources efficiently.
✅ Civvy Street: Developing business strategies, setting company goals, managing budgets.

So, What’s Next?

If you’re a service leaver wondering what to do next, here’s the deal: you’re not an entry-level candidate. Your skills are valuable, and you should be aiming for roles that reflect that.

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At Redeployable, we help veterans find high-impact careers where their skills are actually recognised (none of this ‘start from scratch’ nonsense). We match you with careers that fit your skills and ambitions, so you can get straight to work in roles that make sense for you.

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[CALLOUT]

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