How do you put S3 on a civilian resume?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:38:22 -0400

I run training and operations for my Battalion and I am curious on how I would write that in civilian terms.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 1:41 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:41:00 -0400

Use Operations Officer or Manager

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 1:43 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:43:53 -0400

You can go to Indeed.com and type in the word Operations to get additional terms:
operations
operations management
operations supervisor
operations analyst
operations director
operations coordinator
operations associate
operations specialist
operations assistant

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 23 at 2017 1:44 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:44:58 -0400

Start with the basic concept you broke down for us: "I run training and operations for my Battalion..."

You're off to a better start than you think.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 1:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:46:53 -0400

Good afternoon, I'm sure you have or not, but try VMET.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 1:58 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:58:53 -0400

I looked at the headline and not your comment. Quantify everything. Operations Manager and supervisor of 5 individuals, responsible for planing daily operations which support 300 members in the organization. Mine looks like this: Managed 7K personnel logistics operation; responsible for coordinating the daily operational actions for 5 internal support companies and 5 deputy operating officers working in 29 separate locations providing logistical support to 32K customers.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 2:08 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 14:08:27 -0400

State you were a planning and operations manager for an organization comprised of x soldiers, x millions of dollar equipment etc. just explain it without military jargon.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 2:13 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 14:13:44 -0400

Operations and project manager.

Operation managers handle the day to day repetitive tasks project managers handle things that change constantly. ATRRS clerk is operations, training coordinator is project as you are constantly doing new tasks with identifiable start and end dates. I'd use operations or project as the title interchangeably depending on what type of company I am applying for.

The below definition is exactly the job description of an S3. https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/duties-effective-project-manager-5117

Project Manager job description as defined by the Project Management Institute "The project manager position on projects is critical; project managers must have full responsibility and accountability, must apply lessons learned, must define roles and responsibilitites, must lead project planning and tracking, must perform risk management, must apply best practices, must communicate to the project sponsor and team, must promote client involvement, must mentor, must promote good working relationships, and must make things happen."

duties-effective-project-manager-5117

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 2:14 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 14:14:28 -0400

"Experienced training and operations manager for over 300 employees"
"Planned and implemented annual training for...."
"Planned and executed 37 international training events involving 17 partnered nations"

... or something along those lines. Just try to avoid military terminology and acronyms.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Oct 23 at 2017 3:25 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 15:25:22 -0400

I would translate it as. Oversaw the training and operations of over 300 personnel. Coordinating with upper level management to ensure that all training and mission goals were given the best opportunity for success.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2017 11:26 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 11:26:48 -0400

Remember military terms is how we talk. It is not how civilians read. Try and describe your work in civilian terms. Send me your email and can send you an example.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 27 at 2017 11:38 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 11:38:57 -0400

Briefly explain your responsibilities and accomplishments. Exactly what you call the job isn't as important as what you did while you held it. Civilians don't get overly hung up on job titles because they can change with each new set of corporate managers. The S3 can easily be translated to Director of Operations, or Chief Operating Officer. As a subordinate of that person, you might be called the Training Manager or Training Supervisor. Keep it simple. Civilian employers aren't dumb and most will recognize you're trying to translate military experience into civilian terms. They might even ask in an interview what your military rank and jobs were. As an E-5, you will probably be viewed as a "supervisor" at the operating level.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Oct 27 at 2017 12:30 PM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 12:30:22 -0400

"Directly responsible for managing training schedule and personnel. Determined organizational needs in conjunction with senior leadership to advance corporate and individual needs. Assess training gaps and take corrective action....etc..."

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Oct 27 at 2017 5:09 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 17:09:22 -0400

You said it Operations and Training Supervisor. Sounds good to me. On the old, old, chart I had Artillery Operations, Inelligence NCO

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2017 6:10 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 18:10:31 -0500

Depends on what job you are applying for , you need to hit key terms in your resume showing when and what skill sets qualify you for that job

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2023 10:17 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 10:17:31 -0500

It depends upon the job for which you're applying. I think "Operations Officer" is appropriate. Depending upon your level, you could also list "Operations Specialist." The title is less important than how you substantiate your experience and translate into something meaningful to civilians.