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That is Army MOS 19D. Civilian jobs, federal paths, and how the work reads on a resume.
What is in this guide
What the translation looks like
How it reads in service
Conducted zone reconnaissance of 15 km² AO, identifying 3 enemy positions and 2 viable MSRs, reporting findings via SALUTE format to battalion S2
How a hiring manager reads it
Performed comprehensive field assessments across 15 km² operational area, identifying 3 critical risk factors and 2 viable solutions, delivering structured analytical reports to senior leadership within 4-hour deadline
Roles this background maps to
Median pay, BLS OEWS May 2024
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After the Navy he was hired into six federal career fields and tech sales, and sat on federal hiring panels along the way. The last two years went into rebuilding all of it into BMR, tuned for how resumes get screened today. 75,916 resumes built so far.
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Army Cavalry Scouts (19D) are the eyes and ears of the battlefield. They operate forward of friendly lines to gather intelligence on enemy positions, terrain, and routes — then report that information back to commanders to shape tactical decisions. It is a combat arms MOS that produces veterans with an uncommon combination of independent judgment, rapid decision-making, and detailed reporting skills that few civilian roles can replicate in training alone.
19Ds train at Fort Moore, Georgia through a 22-week OSUT program that integrates basic soldiering with advanced reconnaissance techniques. Scouts learn to conduct route reconnaissance, zone reconnaissance, area reconnaissance, and screen operations — each requiring different planning considerations, reporting formats, and movement techniques. They operate from platforms including the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (M2/M3), M1127 Stryker Reconnaissance Vehicle, and HMMWVs, depending on their unit's configuration. Equipment proficiency includes the LRAS3 (Long-Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System), GPS navigation systems, thermal and night vision optics, and tactical FM/digital radio systems.
What separates Cavalry Scouts from many other combat arms MOSs is the emphasis on independent small-unit operations. A scout section or platoon often operates kilometers ahead of the main body, making real-time decisions about movement, cover, and engagement without direct supervision. This builds a level of initiative and adaptability that translates directly to civilian careers requiring autonomous field work, rapid analysis, and clear communication under pressure. Scouts who served as team leaders or section sergeants add formal leadership experience — managing personnel, vehicles, equipment worth millions, and training programs simultaneously.
Scouts get dismissed by civilian recruiters the same way infantry does. After 18 months of no callbacks myself, I learned the issue isn't the experience — it's the resume. 19Ds bring reconnaissance, surveillance, threat assessment, and small-team leadership that translates directly to corporate security, federal LE, and operations roles. The work is there; the words have to do their job. — Brad Tachi, Navy Diver veteran & BMR founder
The number that decides most of this: how does civilian pay compare to what the paycheck looks like now?
Army mid-career
$58K to $82K
E-5 to E-7 total comp: base plus BAH, BAS and the tax advantage.
Civilian Cavalry Scout
$52K to $103K
BLS median across the direct-match civilian roles on this page.
Federal, GS-9 to GS-13
$58K to $120K
13 matching GS series, plus locality pay and step increases.
Comparable on average
Civilian pay for Cavalry Scouts lands in the same range as mid-career enlisted total comp.
Military comp is approximate and moves with location and dependents. Civilian is the BLS median. Federal includes locality pay. The real number depends on duty station, family status, GS step and overtime.
The private sector career landscape for former Cavalry Scouts is broader than many expect. While law enforcement and security are natural fits given the surveillance, threat assessment, and tactical training, the analytical and leadership skills developed in reconnaissance operations open doors across multiple industries.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), police and sheriff's patrol officers earn a median salary of $76,290 (O*NET 33-3051.00). For scouts who held supervisory roles, first-line supervisors of protective service workers earn a median of $74,960 (33-1090.00). Security management — overseeing corporate or facility security programs — draws on the same threat assessment and vulnerability analysis that scouts performed in the field.
Beyond protective services, 19Ds who developed intelligence collection and reporting skills find opportunities as private investigators (BLS median $52,370) or intelligence analysts in the corporate sector. Operations management (BLS median $102,950) is a strong path for senior scouts who managed platoon-level logistics, training schedules, and personnel readiness. The ability to assess a situation, identify critical information, and deliver concise reports is exactly what operations managers do — just without the body armor.
| Civilian job title | Industry | BLS median salary | Outlook | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police OfficerO*NET 33-3051.00 | Law Enforcement / Government | $76,290 | About as fast as average (3%) | strong |
| Security ManagerO*NET 33-1090.00 | Corporate Security / Government | $74,960 | About as fast as average | strong |
| Private InvestigatorO*NET 33-9021.00 | Investigations / Legal / Insurance | $52,370 | About as fast as average | strong |
| Operations ManagerO*NET 11-1021.00 | Multiple Industries | $102,950 | About as fast as average | moderate |
| Intelligence AnalystO*NET 33-3021.03 | Government / Defense / Corporate | $52,370 | Faster than average | strong |
| Emergency Management DirectorO*NET 11-9161.00 | Government / Healthcare / Education | $86,130 | About as fast as average | moderate |
| Field InvestigatorO*NET 33-9021.00 | Insurance / Government / Legal | $52,370 | About as fast as average | moderate |
| Risk AnalystO*NET 13-1111.00 | Finance / Insurance / Consulting | $101,190 | Faster than average (10%) | moderate |
Border Patrol Agents and CBP Officers. Direct match for scouts — surveillance, terrain analysis, and patrol operations. Federal pay scale plus locality adjustments.
Uniformed Division and Special Agent positions. Scouts with active clearances and tactical backgrounds are competitive candidates. Federal benefits.
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems. Former scouts with LRAS3 and ISR experience bring operator perspective to system development, testing, and training roles.
Produces the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and numerous ISR platforms. Hires former scouts for testing, training development, field service, and program management positions.
Produces Bradley upgrades and armored vehicle systems. Operations support, field service, and technical training roles for veterans who operated or maintained these platforms.
Produces the Stryker family of vehicles. Former scouts who operated the M1127 Stryker RV bring field knowledge to engineering feedback, testing, and training development.
Largest private security company in North America. Management-track positions for veterans with NCO experience. Corporate security, facility management, and executive protection.
Global security company with US operations. Security management and consulting roles. Values military veterans for supervisory positions.
Intelligence analysis, training support, and simulation. Scouts with intelligence collection experience and active clearances are strong candidates for analyst and training roles.
Consulting and analytics for defense and intelligence clients. Former scouts with analytical and reporting experience transition into intelligence analysis and threat assessment roles.
ICE, FEMA, TSA, and DHS headquarters. Security specialists, emergency management, and intelligence analyst positions. Multiple GS series applicable to 19D backgrounds.
VA Police and security positions at VA medical centers and facilities nationwide. Federal benefits, retirement system, and veterans preference in hiring.
BMR rewrites your 19D experience for any of the roles above, in the language the people reading actually scan for.
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“With your assistance on my resume I got offered a 239.5K a year job today. Thanks so much Brad, you changed my way of life tremendously. God bless you”
Anthony · Veteran · Army · Program Management / Logistics · $239,500 offer
Federal employment is a strong option for 19D veterans, and the range of applicable GS series is wider than law enforcement alone. Veterans' Preference adds 5 or 10 points to federal hiring assessments, and many agencies use Direct Hire Authority for veteran candidates — particularly in security, intelligence, and emergency management roles.
The most direct federal matches are GS-0083 (Police) and GS-0085 (Security Guard) for scouts who want to continue in a protective services role. But 19Ds should also consider GS-0080 (Security Administration) for program-level security work, GS-0132 (Intelligence) for those with collection and analysis experience, and GS-1801 (Investigation/Enforcement) for field investigation roles. Beyond security, GS-0301 (Miscellaneous Administration), GS-0343 (Management Analyst), and GS-0089 (Emergency Management) are all realistic targets for scouts who held leadership positions and managed operational readiness.
Key hiring agencies include the Department of Homeland Security (CBP, ICE, Secret Service), Department of Defense civilian positions (installation security, range control, training support), the Department of Veterans Affairs (police and security), and FEMA. Scouts with active Secret clearances have a significant advantage — that clearance saves agencies thousands of dollars and months of processing time. Start building your federal resume and USAJobs profile at least 6 months before separation.
| Series | Federal job title | Typical grades | Match | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-0007 | Correctional Officer | GS-5, GS-7, GS-9 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0080 | Security Administration | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0083 | Police | GS-5, GS-7, GS-9 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0132 | Intelligence | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| GS-1896 | Border Patrol Agent | GL-5, GL-7, GL-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 4 of 5 | View details |
| GS-1801 | General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement | GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0089 | Emergency Management | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-1810 | General Investigating | GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0085 | Security Guard | GS-3, GS-5, GS-7 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0018 | Safety and Occupational Health Management | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0025 | Park Ranger | GS-5, GS-7, GS-9 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0343 | Management and Program Analyst | GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 | 3 of 5 | View details |
| GS-0301 | Miscellaneous Administration and Program | GS-5, GS-7, GS-9 | 2 of 5 | View details |
Federal raters match your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement. BMR writes the federal format for any GS series above, with the hours per week and supervisor detail a rater looks for.
Free to start. Federal and private sector formats included.
Not everyone stays in a related field. These paths run on the transferable half of the job: leadership, risk, logistics, planning.
Cavalry Scouts plan and execute reconnaissance missions with specific timelines, limited resources, and multiple contingencies. Every patrol order is a project plan — task, purpose, conditions, standards, timeline, and abort criteria. That is project management performed in body armor.
Transfers: Mission planning, Risk assessment, Team coordination, Resource management, Timeline execution, Contingency planning.
How to get there: PMP certification recommended. Senior scouts (E-5+) can often document enough project hours from operational planning. Construction, energy, and defense industries value the operational background. GI Bill covers many PMP prep courses.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · Faster than average (6%)
Outside sales is the civilian version of operating independently in the field with a mission and a territory. Scouts who briefed commanders, coordinated with adjacent units, and adapted to fluid situations develop the exact communication and adaptability skills that make top salespeople. The ability to read people and situations quickly — a survival skill in combat — is the same instinct that closes deals.
Transfers: Relationship building, Persuasive communication, Adaptability, Territory management, Competitive analysis, Self-motivation.
How to get there: No certifications required. Target companies with military hiring programs — many defense, tech, and industrial companies specifically recruit combat arms veterans for sales roles. SkillBridge internships with companies like Cintas, ADP, or Sysco provide a paid transition runway.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · About as fast as average
Scouts who operated and maintained complex systems — Bradley FVs, LRAS3, thermal optics, digital communications — understand how to learn technical products and explain them clearly. Technical sales combines product expertise with client relationship management, and scouts who briefed officers on reconnaissance findings were already doing solution selling.
Transfers: Technical product knowledge, Client needs assessment, Solution presentation, Competitive analysis, Relationship management, Field demonstrations.
How to get there: Target defense contractors selling the systems you operated, or technology companies selling to military clients. Your operator perspective is valuable to companies like L3Harris, Elbit Systems, or FLIR. Industry-specific training is typically provided by the employer.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · About as fast as average
Construction management requires coordinating teams, managing safety, staying on schedule, and adapting when plans change — which is every day on a construction site and every day on a reconnaissance mission. Scouts who managed vehicle maintenance programs, supervised field operations, and conducted risk assessments have directly applicable construction management skills.
Transfers: Project planning, Team leadership, Safety management, Quality control, Resource coordination, Schedule management.
How to get there: OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification is the entry ticket. PMP adds value. Many employers accept military leadership experience in lieu of a degree for entry-level CM positions. CMAA (Construction Management Association of America) provides networking and the CCM certification for career advancement.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · About as fast as average
Every scout section manages vehicle maintenance, parts requisition, ammunition supply, and equipment accountability. Platoon sergeants manage the logistics for 4 vehicles, dozens of weapons systems, communications equipment, and NVDs worth millions. That is supply chain management with zero tolerance for shortage because lives depend on it.
Transfers: Supply chain management, Equipment inventory, Deployment planning, Maintenance scheduling, Procurement coordination, Distribution management.
How to get there: APICS CSCP or CLTD certifications strengthen candidacy. Federal agencies and defense contractors value military logistics backgrounds. 17% projected growth (BLS) means strong job market. Amazon, FedEx, and major retailers actively recruit veterans for logistics management.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · Much faster than average (17%)
Insurance adjusting is field investigation — you go to a site, assess damage, document evidence, interview witnesses, and write detailed reports. Scouts do exactly this during reconnaissance: observe, assess, document, and report. The independent field work, attention to detail, and analytical reporting translate directly. Catastrophe adjusters who deploy to disaster sites especially value the comfort with austere conditions.
Transfers: Field investigation, Damage assessment, Detailed documentation, Analytical reporting, Client communication, Independent field work.
How to get there: State licensing required (varies by state). Many insurance companies hire veterans and provide training programs. AIC (Associate in Claims) designation from The Institutes strengthens career advancement. Catastrophe adjusting firms like Crawford, Sedgwick, and independent adjusting companies actively recruit.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · About as fast as average
Real estate is territory-based, relationship-driven, and rewards people who are disciplined, self-motivated, and comfortable working independently — all traits drilled into Cavalry Scouts. The ability to assess terrain (location, access, development potential) is literally a reconnaissance skill applied to property. Commission-based income means unlimited upside for high performers.
Transfers: Negotiation, Territory knowledge, Client relationship management, Market analysis, Self-discipline, Prospecting.
How to get there: State real estate license required (typically 60-180 hours of coursework plus exam). GI Bill may cover pre-licensing courses at approved schools. Join a brokerage that provides mentorship for new agents. VA loan expertise gives veteran agents a built-in niche serving military buyers and sellers.
BLS OEWS May 2024 · About as fast as average
The skills behind the specialty carry further than the specialty. BMR rewrites your bullets for any of the paths above without making it sound like you have never done the work.
Free to start. Try as many angles as you want.
If you are applying to law enforcement agencies, security firms, or defense contractors — they know what a Cavalry Scout is. You do not need to translate "route reconnaissance" for a police department recruiter or explain "screen operations" to a defense contractor. This section is for scouts targeting careers outside of security, law enforcement, and defense.
The challenge for 19Ds moving into corporate, operations, logistics, or management roles is that hiring managers in those industries have never heard of an LRAS3 or a screen line. They do not know what a SALUTE report is. The translations below reframe your reconnaissance and combat arms experience into business language that resonates with non-military hiring managers — without losing the substance of what you actually did.
Before, in service
Conducted zone reconnaissance of 15 km² AO, identifying 3 enemy positions and 2 viable MSRs, reporting findings via SALUTE format to battalion S2
After, on the resume
Performed comprehensive field assessments across 15 km² operational area, identifying 3 critical risk factors and 2 viable solutions, delivering structured analytical reports to senior leadership within 4-hour deadline
Before, in service
Led 4-soldier scout section through 72-hour screen operation, managing vehicle operations, security rotations, and continuous reporting to troop headquarters
After, on the resume
Supervised 4-person field operations team during 72-hour extended assignment, coordinating shift schedules, equipment utilization, and real-time status reporting to regional headquarters
Before, in service
Operated LRAS3 surveillance system to identify and track targets at 20+ km range, providing real-time intelligence to troop commander during screen operations
After, on the resume
Operated advanced monitoring and detection systems to identify and track targets of interest at extended range, providing real-time analytical reports to senior leadership for strategic decision-making
Before, in service
Planned and executed movement to contact for scout platoon of 16 soldiers and 4 vehicles across 8 km of complex terrain, establishing contact and transitioning to hasty defense
After, on the resume
Planned and led 16-person field team through 8 km operational deployment in complex conditions, adapting execution plan in real-time based on emerging information while maintaining team safety and achieving all objectives
Before, in service
Produced 50+ SALUTE reports and 12 intelligence summaries during deployment, contributing to battalion-level common operating picture and commander decision cycle
After, on the resume
Produced 50+ structured analytical reports and 12 executive summaries, contributing to organizational situational awareness and enabling data-driven decision-making by senior leadership
Before, in service
Managed maintenance program for 4 M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles valued at $12M+, maintaining 95% operational readiness rate through scheduled PMCS and coordinated repair operations
After, on the resume
Managed preventive maintenance program for fleet of 4 specialized vehicles valued at $12M+, achieving 95% operational availability through proactive scheduling, vendor coordination, and detailed tracking of over 200 inspection points per asset
Before, in service
Completed composite risk management worksheets for all platoon operations, identifying hazards, assessing risk levels, and implementing controls that contributed to zero safety incidents over 12-month deployment
After, on the resume
Conducted formal risk assessments for all departmental operations, identifying potential hazards, evaluating probability and impact, and implementing mitigation controls that contributed to zero workplace incidents over 12-month period
Before, in service
Trained 8 junior scouts on mounted and dismounted reconnaissance techniques, LRAS3 operation, call-for-fire procedures, and reporting formats, qualifying all 8 within 90 days
After, on the resume
Designed and delivered technical training program for 8 new team members covering field operations, equipment operation, communication protocols, and reporting standards, achieving 100% qualification rate within 90-day onboarding period
BMR turns your 19D duties and accomplishments into civilian bullets aimed at the job you are applying for. No manual translation.
Free to start. Tailored to each posting.
Which ones you need depends on where you are headed.
Recognized credential for emergency management professionals. Valuable for FEMA, state/local emergency management, and hospital emergency preparedness positions.Cost $350-500 application + examTime 3-6 monthsGI Bill eligibleRequires combination of education, experience, and training. Military emergency response experience, contingency planning, and TOC operations contribute to eligibility. Free FEMA Independent Study courses count toward training requirements.
Premier certification for supply chain and logistics professionals. Demonstrates end-to-end supply chain knowledge valued by employers like Amazon, FedEx, and defense contractors.Cost $1,500-2,000 (materials + exam)Time 3-6 months studyGI Bill eligibleNo specific experience requirement — open to anyone. Military logistics experience (parts requisition, equipment accountability, deployment planning) provides strong foundational knowledge.
Required in most states to work as a PI. Requirements vary — some states accept military reconnaissance/surveillance experience toward licensing hours.Cost $100-500 application + examTime 1-3 months (varies by state)Research your state's specific requirements. Some states require a sponsoring PI or agency. Military experience may substitute for some or all civilian experience requirements.
Required for all sworn law enforcement officers. Some states offer abbreviated academy tracks for military veterans with combat arms backgrounds.Cost Typically employer-fundedTime 12-26 weeks (varies by state)Check your target state's POST commission for military credit policies. Some departments hire first and pay you through academy training. Federal positions require FLETC instead.
Gold standard for project management across all industries. Senior scouts can often document enough project hours from operational planning to meet eligibility requirements.Cost $555 exam (PMI member), $455 membershipTime 3-6 months studyGI Bill eligibleRequires 36 months leading projects (with degree) or 60 months (without). Document your reconnaissance mission planning, training exercises, and operational leadership carefully — these count as project hours.
Required to practice as a real estate agent or broker. Pre-licensing coursework covers contracts, property law, finance, and ethics.Cost $200-1,000 (coursework + exam)Time 2-6 monthsGI Bill eligibleTypically 60-180 hours of coursework depending on state, plus exam. GI Bill may cover approved pre-licensing schools. VA loan expertise gives veteran agents a competitive niche.
Entry-level safety certification recognized across all industries. Quick to obtain and immediately valuable on a resume for safety, construction, or operations roles.Cost $150-300 (online courses available)Time 4-5 days (30 hours)GI Bill eligibleCan complete online through OSHA-authorized providers. Choose General Industry or Construction based on your target career. Many employers require this as a minimum for site access.
Industry's most respected safety credential. Opens doors to safety management positions across construction, manufacturing, energy, and government.Cost $300-500 exam feeTime 3-6 months studyGI Bill eligibleRequires bachelor's degree and 4 years safety experience, OR associate's with 5 years. Military safety NCO experience and composite risk management count toward the requirement. ASP (Associate Safety Professional) is the stepping stone.
Industry gold standard for security management. Required or preferred for most corporate security director positions.Cost $450-750 exam feeTime 3-6 months studyGI Bill eligibleRequires 7+ years security experience (military counts) OR bachelor's degree with 5 years experience. Scouts with NCO experience in security operations often meet the experience threshold.
Specialized certification for physical security — facility protection, access control, surveillance systems. Complements CPP for security career advancement.Cost $350-500 exam feeTime 2-4 months studyGI Bill eligibleRequires 5+ years physical security experience. Scouts with perimeter security, observation post, and access control experience from deployments have relevant background.
Placement decides whether a screener ever sees it. BMR knows where each one ranks, what to call it, and how to frame it.
Free to start. Built around your real certs and clearance.
SkillBridge Programs: Several federal law enforcement agencies and private security companies participate in DOD SkillBridge, allowing scouts to work civilian security or investigative roles during their last 180 days of service. Search the SkillBridge database for current openings in protective services, investigations, and intelligence analysis.
Law Enforcement Training: Many states offer abbreviated or accelerated police academy tracks for military veterans with combat arms backgrounds. Check your target state's POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) commission for military credit policies. Some departments hire directly and send you to their academy on salary.
Security Clearance Leverage: If you hold an active Secret clearance, that is a marketable credential worth $5,000-15,000+ in processing costs to an employer. ClearanceJobs.com lists positions specifically requiring active clearances. Your clearance stays active for up to 24 months after separation — do not let it lapse during your transition.
Professional Associations: ASIS International is the largest security management association. Membership provides networking, job boards, and access to the CPP certification path. For investigators, the Council of International Investigators connects you with established professionals.
Project Management: The PMP certification (PMI) is the gold standard for project managers. Senior scouts who planned and executed reconnaissance operations can often document enough project hours to qualify. Cost: ~$555 (PMI member) for the exam. GI Bill covers many prep courses.
Sales Careers: Many former scouts thrive in outside sales and technical sales roles. The ability to read people, adapt to unpredictable situations, and communicate clearly under pressure translates directly. No certifications required — target companies with military hiring programs and leverage your SkillBridge window for interview prep.
Federal Employment (USAJobs): Create your USAJobs profile immediately. Use the "Veterans" filter. Federal resumes are 2 pages max — not the 4-6 page myth you will see online. Key agencies: DHS, DOD civilian, VA, FEMA, and CBP. Build your federal resume here.
Veteran Networking: American Corporate Partners (ACP) provides free mentorship from corporate executives — you get paired with someone in your target industry. ACP is legitimate and completely free for veterans.
Education Benefits: Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to verify program approval before enrolling. For scouts targeting business, management, or technical careers, certifications often provide faster ROI than a 4-year degree — but evaluate based on your specific career target.
Army Resume Guide: MOS Translation | Complete Military Resume Guide | Army ETS Checklist | Build Your Resume Free
Most people do this backwards: wait for terminal leave, then panic. This is the sequence that works. Already out? Same plan, day one is today.
Days 0 to 30
Days 30 to 60
Days 60 to 90
The most direct matches are law enforcement (BLS median $76,290 for police officers) and security management (BLS median $74,960 for protective service supervisors). Private investigation ($52,370), intelligence analysis, and emergency management ($86,130) are also strong fits. For scouts who want to leave the tactical world entirely, project management ($100,750), operations management ($102,950), logistics ($80,880 with 17% growth), sales, and construction management ($106,980) are all realistic paths. Your best fit depends on which aspects of being a scout you want to carry forward — the field work, the leadership, the analysis, or the independence.
Focus on the transferable skill, not the military context. Route reconnaissance becomes field assessment and site survey. SALUTE reports become structured analytical reports. Movement to contact becomes executing operations with incomplete information. Quantify everything — area covered, team size, number of reports produced, equipment value managed, timelines met. See the Skills Translation section above for specific before/after resume bullet examples tailored for non-defense hiring managers.
Yes — significantly. An active Secret clearance saves employers $5,000-15,000+ and months of processing time. Defense contractors, federal agencies (especially DHS, DOD civilian, and intelligence community), and some consulting firms require or prefer candidates with active clearances. ClearanceJobs.com lists positions specifically. Important: your clearance stays active for up to 24 months after separation if not renewed, so start your job search before it lapses.
Many scouts pivot into careers that have nothing to do with security. Several proven non-security paths leverage transferable skills: project management (BLS median $100,750) uses your mission planning ability, sales uses your adaptability and communication skills, logistics ($80,880 with 17% growth) uses your equipment and supply chain management experience, and construction management ($106,980) uses your team leadership and risk management skills. The Career Change Paths section above details 7 specific non-security career options with salary data, required certifications, and entry paths.
Veterans Preference adds 5 points (honorable discharge) or 10 points (disability rating) to your federal hiring assessment score. For law enforcement positions specifically (GS-0083, GS-1896, GS-1801), many agencies also use Direct Hire Authority for veterans — which can bypass the normal competitive process. You will need your DD-214 (Member 4 copy) for preference verification. Key tip: apply to positions at GS-5 through GS-9 initially — Veterans Preference is most impactful at these levels. CBP, Secret Service, VA Police, and DOD Police frequently hire 19D veterans.
Prioritize based on your target career. For law enforcement: focus on physical fitness and research your target state POST commission for military credit policies — many offer abbreviated academy tracks. For security management: start studying for the CPP (ASIS International). For project management: begin documenting your project hours and start PMP prep. For any career outside security: OSHA 30-Hour is quick, affordable, and broadly recognized. Universal: keep your First Aid/CPR current and use SkillBridge if eligible for a 180-day civilian work experience.
Many do — and specifically combat arms veterans. Departments value the discipline, tactical training, and experience operating under stress. However, police work includes community policing, de-escalation, investigation, and court testimony that military service alone does not teach. Being a veteran gets your foot in the door, but you still need to complete academy training and demonstrate the full range of police skills. Some states offer abbreviated academies recognizing military training credit — check your target state POST commission.
Depends on your target career. For law enforcement: most agencies require only a high school diploma, so save your GI Bill for advancement later (supervisory roles may require a degree). For federal careers: a bachelors in criminal justice, intelligence studies, or public administration makes you competitive at GS-7 and above. For project management, sales, or operations: professional certifications (PMP, CPP, OSHA 30) typically provide faster ROI than a 4-year degree. Some veterans use GI Bill strategically — get certifications first to get hired, then pursue a degree part-time while employed for promotion eligibility.
For law enforcement and security: virtually every metro area has demand. Federal law enforcement positions cluster in DC Metro, along the southern border (CBP), and near major federal installations. For defense contractor intelligence and training roles: DC Metro (Northern Virginia especially), Colorado Springs, San Antonio, Huntsville, and near major Army installations. For corporate security management: any major metro — New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta all have large corporate security demand. Remote work is increasingly available for intelligence analysts, project managers, and risk analysts.
Yes — and you should start 12 months before your ETS date. At 180 days out, you may qualify for DOD SkillBridge to work full-time at a civilian company while still receiving military pay and benefits. At minimum: build your resume 6-9 months out, create your USAJobs profile 6 months out (federal hiring moves slowly), start networking through American Corporate Partners (ACP) for free executive mentorship, and attend career fairs. Use terminal leave as your transition runway — it is paid time specifically designed for this purpose.
Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Career data from O*NET OnLine.
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