What civilian certification do you have (or want) that you believe will hold the most weight when you leave service?

CW2 Thomas Martin — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 20:06:07 -0400

I currently hold S+, Windows 7; Configuration, 3 different VMware certifications, and I am waiting for the review for my CISSP certification from ISC2. I believe the CISSP will be the crown jewel of the certs I do have. What certifications do you hold and why/how will they benefit you down the road?

Update: As of 04 September 2014, I officially CISSP certified.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2014 8:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 20:09:00 -0400

I have a Nuclear Security Officer certification. It is pretty much like civilian infantry. But it is pretty boring. I have also held a Basic Law Enforcement Officer Certificate and a Food Safety Manager Certificate also. I have done many things in my time. Some I am not so proud of.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Aug 24 at 2014 8:25 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 20:25:44 -0400

Probably my nursing license and my Lean Six Sigman Black Belt

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Aug 24 at 2014 10:00 PM

SFC Stephen Carden — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 22:00:38 -0400

I currently don't hold any professional licenses, credentials, or certifications. I am very interested in Lean Six Sigma and Project Management Professional (PMP). Coupled with my BSBA, I think those would take me far. Trouble is, they are difficult to get without already working in the corporate world or as a project manager. ACAP keeps pushing CDLs on everybody like we are all going to be truck drivers when we get out. Sheesh.

Response by SSgt Tim Meuret made Aug 24 at 2014 10:23 PM

SSgt Tim Meuret — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 22:23:49 -0400

I have a friend, a retired Army MP, that has that cert and it has never failed him. His time between jobs has always been less that 60 days since he got it. I believe that is an excellent choice.

As for other certifications it will always be what you want to do. CPA for accountant, CFP for financial planners, PMP for project managers etc, etc.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 25 at 2014 4:15 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 04:15:05 -0400

I think the medical MOS's will always dominate. I tried getting my helicopter maintainers their A & P license while still on active duty. I hold a PhD is Cavalry Operations from the school of Hard Knocks. It entitles me to a small coffee at any AAFES concessions stand.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Aug 25 at 2014 9:17 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 09:17:28 -0400

I am currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in both Montana and Georgia. I also hold a certification called CMSRN (Certified Medical Surgical Registered Nurse). In addition to these, I hold a Master's Degree of Nursing in Healthcare Education. I have not gotten to the end of my military career (but closing in on it fast....) so do not know how well these will hold up for me....licenses are required, but the rest of it...time will tell.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2014 12:30 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:30:55 -0400

I am a Registered Nurse with a certification as a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN). However, I am currently in grad school to become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. That board certification will hold the most weight for me upon retirement from the military.

Response by CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR made Aug 31 at 2014 9:18 PM

CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 21:18:11 -0400

I currently have the PHR-Professional in Human Resources Management which help to leverage industry experience when I only had an Associates degree. I am working on the SPHR- Senior Professional in Human Resources Management.

As a recruiter I would say the PMP is a good certificate however not necessary for someone that want to Program Management , PE-Professional Engineer certification.

Dylan

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 5:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:15:49 -0400

When I made the decision to leave the Army, I knew that having civilian certification would hold a lot of weight. At first I obtained my General Radiotelephone Operators License (GROL) from the Federal Communications Commission, better known as the FCC. About a year before my ETS date, I realized that I wanted to work in the marine electronics field, so I obtained my Ship Radar Endorsement, also from the FCC. I knew that I needed something more. Since commercial ships were required to have the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) on board by 1999, I received GMDSS Maintainers License four months before my ETS date. A month later, I received a job offer to work as a marine electronics technician.

I advise anyone who works as an electronic technician in the military to at least get their FCC GROL license.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 5:45 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 17:45:23 -0400

I currently only have Security+ and CCENT. I plan on getting Network+, CCNA Routing and Switching, and possibly CCNA Voice. CCNA Security also wouldn't be a bad idea.

Response by SGT William B. made Sep 4 at 2014 8:59 PM

SGT William B. — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:59:48 -0400

A crooked smile and a winning personality?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 9:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 21:42:30 -0400

I currently don't have any certifications or credentials. I'm very interested in Lean Six Sigma.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2014 6:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 06:12:29 -0500

Not a certification, but a clearance opens a lot of doors. A TS-SCI, in the DC area, gets you the job without having to know anything about the job. It can easily get you paid six figures.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2014 12:30 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 00:30:25 -0500

Army E-learning located on the AKO website has a ton of these certifications for free and I think there is a way for the army to fund your certification testing.

Advance your career through Army e-Learning:
Soldiers and civilians can train when it fits their professional needs and personal
schedules.

With Army e-Learning you have access to:
Over 4,800 web-based courses in Information Technology, Business Leadership and Personal Development.

IT certification prep courses/tests in MCSE, CISSP, C++, Cisco, Oracle and many more.

On-line subject matter experts and mentors available 24x7. Books 24x7 Referenceware®

49 ACE college credit course training modules.

Customized Learning Paths unique to organizational training needs.
Curricula mappings to fit your training requirements and help when developing Individual Development Plans.
Knowledge Centers in Leadership, Project Management, 8570, MCSE and MCSA certification areas.

Army e-Learning Training Value:

1 promotion point for every 5 hours of training for Enlisted.

1 retirement point for every 3 hours of training for Reservist.

Continuous Learning Points for DA Civilians.

Acquistion Workforce personnel can earn college credits for Business courses.

Flexibility to take anywhere, anytime.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2015 2:15 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:15:54 -0400

I currently hold my A Plus,Network Plus, Security Plus, and ITIL v3 basic foundation. I am currently enrolled in a CCNA course in order to attain skills necessary to pass the CCNA exam.

In regards to the most important, as of right now it is the Sec+ for my current job position. It is a requirement to do my job. I am trying to pass CCNA in order to submit my 255A/255N packet this spring.

Right now it seems that I need this to progress in my career as a potential warrant.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 11:26 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 11:26:14 -0400

CW2 Martin, I currently hold no IT certifications right now. I am currently studying for Sec+ 401 right now and I am having trouble with the Crypto part. Is there a method that you used to study for that piece of the test?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 10:32 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 22:32:41 -0400

So far it has been the Sec+ although people in the civilian world are really starting to get into sharepoint

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Nov 18 at 2015 12:57 PM

MAJ Alvin B. — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 12:57:55 -0500

Congratulations, that is not an easy exam.