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

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.

Probably my nursing license and my Lean Six Sigman Black Belt

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Congratulations, that is not an easy exam.