Should I put Commissioned Officer in my Resume?

2021-12-16T14:36:56-05:00

Hello, prior enlisted ROTC cadet here. I am currently pursuing a master's degree and next semester would be my last, and my BOLC wouldn't be happening until sometimes in early 2023. I am looking for a part time job to fill up the gap between commissioning and BOLC. Assuming that I get commissioned, should I put commissioned officer in my resume? How is that going to impact the employer's choice knowing that they will have to work with my schedule? On the other hand, would being an officer put me ahead of other competitors? I've interviewed for a part time position in the past, I nailed the interview but they decided to with someone else after I told them I am currently in the military (they didn't tell me that but I am sure that is the reason). I know that USERRA exists but I just want to know from an employer's perspective on hiring a service member.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Dec 16 at 2021 2:45 PM

2021-12-16T14:45:03-05:00

Are you commissioning active duty, reserve or guard?

USERRA does exist, but there are some sporadic cases of employers not honoring. Since you have over one year, you should be okay. Commissioned officer on resume may help with certain defense contract jobs, but it may not help with regular civilian jobs based on your current situation.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Dec 16 at 2021 2:57 PM

2021-12-16T14:57:34-05:00

I wouldn't list yourself as a Commissioned Officer until you pin on. But I would lean away from Rank in general if you are listing your military service. They care more about experience, knowledge and ability instead of what your rank is/was.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2021 3:07 PM

2021-12-16T15:07:30-05:00

No you're not commissioned yet. All you need to do is let them know you're in the Reserves and that's it. They probably won't care what rank you are they just need to know you are a Reservist.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2021 3:47 PM

2021-12-16T15:47:11-05:00

As others have said, you aren’t commissioned yet, so leave it off, and I would leave it off until you pin CPT because commissioning means jack if you don’t progress

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2021 3:52 PM

2021-12-16T15:52:00-05:00

Until you are commissioned....why would you put commissioned? Even then, why put rank? I've been serving for 23 years total time, and at no time have I ever put my rank on my resume. Just put your years of service, job training and skills. Your resume is only to get you into the interview. How you conduct yourself at the interview is what will set you apart from other applicants. Seriously, though. Keep the Commissioned Officer off of the resume since you are NOT commissioned.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2021 5:35 PM

2021-12-16T17:35:53-05:00

Sounds like a no brainer in my opinion, you are not commissioned yet.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 16 at 2021 5:41 PM

2021-12-16T17:41:48-05:00

Look into “the Gig Economy.” Don’t know what your bachelors degree is in, but if it’s something that provides a usable skill then you might be able to freelance. Also some school systems do not require an education degree to substitute teach. Look for research assistant jobs at your university.

Yes. Do put your future military service in front of your prospective employer. It’s fair to them and you. Plus it’s honest. It may even gain you some respect

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2021 6:18 PM

2021-12-16T18:18:21-05:00

I’m actively involved in hiring where I work in law enforcement. In my opinion, your current commitment of service would not be a negative, it would be a positive regardless of rank. I’ll take the leadership and positives that go with most current/prior service members over the odds of them being deployed or attending schools. HOWEVER, I would question the integrity of an employee who intentionally did not disclose their current reserve status. I would be pretty upset if the first time I found out an employee is in the reserves is when he/she handed me orders to deploy or attend a school. I understand USERRA protects your job but integrity and trust count for a lot. Just my opinion.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2021 8:47 PM

2021-12-16T20:47:30-05:00

I would use the same BS recruiters use.

One weekend a month, 2 weeks a year.

So you can project forward to potential employers with a regular 9-5 job and on weekdays with 10 vacation days that there is 0% impact to work until deployed for war.

Then, pull out your annual Battle Assembly schedule signed by your commander, and orders when they are published for AT: Then go "surprise welcome to USERRA".

*************
I jest, but you should be proud when you become commissioned and if that's your big accomplishment in life then by all means use it. Depending on the job, balance that fine line of articulating what you need to articulate without lying in order to get the job. But if you know that you are say deploying inside a year, and the job is complex with a long period to train up, and then poof you are gone they would have to be idiots to hire you, and even bigger idiots to articulate that it was your connected service obligation that caused them to not choose you over lesser candidates.

However, once you are hired the protections you have are stronger.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2021 10:41 PM

2021-12-16T22:41:01-05:00

To clarify your status... you could say... "soon to be"...

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Dec 16 at 2021 11:25 PM

2021-12-16T23:25:40-05:00

Once you are commissioned - yes, Until then its a big no - they would check your DD214 and that would be the quickest way to not get hired. Even then they will want to know what positions held you as a leader.

Response by COL Bill Gross made Dec 18 at 2021 3:08 PM

2021-12-18T15:08:50-05:00

Follow the advice of others. As to listing your commissioned status, if all goes to plan, think about this. A potential boss looks at that and says to himself, "so what". So make sure you have a sentence or to explaining the significance of this. It might be a brief description of the work you had to do to reach the commission.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Dec 20 at 2021 7:57 PM

2021-12-20T19:57:44-05:00

There is not an easy answer to your question. Factors to consider are (1) What is the time between commissioning and BOLC? (2) Is this position something you could see yourself turning into a career? (3) What impact will reserve drills have on your work schedule and vice versa? If you see this only as a temporary job to hold you over until BOLC, it might be worth leaving it off your resume. But if it has full-time or career potential, I would not leave it off. There are some significant benefits that ROTC provides in terms of dynamic leadership, decision making, communications skills, problem solving, etc. But I am not naive to believe that employers will make a hiring decision based on that. The other thing I will add is do not put it on your resume until you are commissioned though.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2021 2:40 PM

2021-12-27T14:40:07-05:00

USERRA doesn’t apply to drilling Reserve or NG Soldiers, it only applies if you are mobilized or deployed. As for commission, once a 2LT, then yes. But more importantly, was ENL time relevant to the position? If yes, definitely. But as you mentioned, using MIL on a resume can be a double edged sword, so choose your wording. Do NOT Misrepresent your status, as it could bite you in the butt, if you seek USEARRA.

Response by SFC Dave Garcia made Dec 31 at 2021 12:56 PM

2021-12-31T12:56:27-05:00

While the rank isn't normally an asset, if applying for any management positions, leadership training can sometimes be helpful. If you can, try to feel out the company for how they look at training. While working for a DVOP many companies liked to see the leadership courses and would accept those military courses as management training. Honestly, for a part time or temp position, unless you are planning on keeping the position don't waste their time or yours.

Response by LTC Betty Holm made Jan 31 at 2022 5:52 PM

2022-01-31T17:52:47-05:00

Better to be upfront with them. They will find out and then trust could become an issue. Just a quick question. Why would you not put your rank instead of commissioned officer?