Turning Military Experience into Civilian Healthcare Careers

You have dedicated your career to service, discipline, and protecting others. As you transition from military life, whether retiring, serving in the reserves, or moving into civilian roles, you do not leave your skills behind. In fact, the healthcare industry is one of the best places to put your military medical training to work. With American Allied Health (AAH) certifications, you can bridge your military experience into a nationally recognized credential that opens doors in civilian healthcare.

Why Healthcare Needs Veterans

The qualities that make you an exceptional service member, such as discipline, adaptability, leadership, and calm under pressure, are the same qualities employers need in healthcare. Many veterans already have hands-on medical training in patient care, emergency response, or technical support roles. 

Healthcare offers:

• Mission-driven work: Continue serving by helping patients and communities.
• Stability and demand: Healthcare careers remain some of the fastest-growing fields nationwide, giving you both flexible and plentiful job opportunities.
• Career mobility: Certifications often enable you to transition from one role to more advanced positions.

How to Transition Your Skills into a Civilian Career

Your military medical experience has already given you a strong foundation. Here is a simple way to begin translating that experience into a civilian career path:

1. Identify Your Military Skills: Write down your job title, day-to-day duties, technical training, and leadership responsibilities. Consider areas such as patient care, emergency response, record-keeping, or equipment use.
2. Match Your Skills to Civilian Credentials: Compare your list with healthcare certifications that align closely. For example, patient care experience may connect to becoming a Certified Medical Assistant or Patient Care Technician, while record-keeping and billing duties may align with Medical Coding and Billing certifications.
3. Earn Your Certification: Once you know which credential fits, take the next step by registering for your exam. If you have completed relevant military medical training, such as serving as a combat medic, medical technician, or corpsman, you can qualify using your military service. During the registration process, you can submit proof of military training-based eligibility by providing a copy of your DD Form 214, which documents your training and service history. 

AAH certifications validate your skills for civilian employers and give you nationally recognized proof of your expertise. This pathway is perfect for you to see your military experience in a new light and gives you a clear path for transitioning into civilian healthcare careers.

Registering & Preparing for Your AAH Exam

Taking the next step toward certification is simple with American Allied Health. Here is how to get started:

1. Choose Your Exam: Select the certification that best aligns with your military training and career goals.
2. Create an Account: Register online through the AAH portal, where you will manage your application, study resources, and exam details.
3. Submit Eligibility Documentation: Demonstrate your eligibility by uploading documents such as:
   • Military medical training transcripts or certificates.
   • Proof of prior healthcare-related training or coursework.
   • Verification of work experience in a healthcare-related MOS, AFSC, or Rating.
4. Access Study Materials: Once registered, you will receive free topical study guides and practice exams to help you prepare.
5. Schedule and Take Your Exam: Exams are 100 percent online and can be taken from home, school, or a secure employer site. You choose the time that works best for you.

With AAH, registration is streamlined, and results are available immediately after your exam. This ensures you can confidently demonstrate your skills to employers right away.

Crosswalk from Military Experience to Certification

Many military occupational specialties (MOS), Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC), and Navy Ratings align with AAH certifications. These pathways recognize your prior training and accelerate your entry into civilian healthcare. Military job titles can be highly specific and tied to branch codes. To keep things simple, we’ve translated them into civilian-friendly terms that describe the type of work service members actually do. These are the kinds of military medical roles that often transfer into civilian healthcare certifications. Below are some potential crossovers; make sure to check the O*NET Military Crosswalk for the most detailed information:

Exploring Your Military Crosswalk

Wondering exactly how your military background translates into civilian healthcare roles? The O*NET OnLine Military Crosswalk is a powerful tool. Enter your MOS, AFSC, or Rating to see civilian jobs and certifications that match your training.

By pairing this tool with AAH certifications, you will see a clear and actionable pathway from your military service into a civilian career that values your skills.

The AAH Advantage for Veterans

AAH offers a convenient and affordable path to earning your certification on your schedule, making it easier to fit into your busy life. Below are several benefits of certifying through AAH:

• Affordable: AAH offers cost-effective certification, making it accessible and easier to start your civilian healthcare career. Enjoy free study materials, a free retake exam, and renewal fees that are 50% lower than industry standards.
• Streamlined Process: Register, submit documents, and receive your digital certification in as little as one business day.
• Comprehensive Preparation: AAH provides extensive topical study guides and practice tests to ensure readiness. When you register for your online exam, you gain access to these free study materials and practice exams to help you prepare for your exam so you can certify with confidence. With several certifications, you also have the option to purchase a Premium Study Guide for a small fee as a refresher if you need it!
• 100% Online Testing: AAH's fully online program is designed for flexibility and ease. Study from anywhere, on your schedule. Convenient online exams that allow you to earn your certification onsite at your school, at your employer’s office, or from home, on your schedule. This allows you to certify at your convenience, without losing time from work or personal commitments. 
• Computer & Tablet Friendly: Study anytime, anywhere, and take the exam whenever you're ready.
• Nationally Recognized Credentials: Join over 50,000  certified professionals working in every U.S. state and more than 30 countries worldwide.
• Instant results: Immediate proof of certification for employers. 
• One Free Retake: If you don't pass the exam on your first attempt, don't worry. AAH offers one free retake to ensure you have the opportunity to earn your certification.
• Continuing Education: AAH offers online CE courses, so you can earn your CE credits on your schedule and be ready to go when it comes time to renew. In your account, you can access all the Continuing Education (CE) credits you need to maintain your certification with AAH.
• Easy Renewal: AAH makes renewing your certification easy. Complete your continuing education, pay the renewal fee, and submit it within your AAH account to finalize the process.
   

You have already proven your commitment and capability in service to our nation. Now, let those same skills make an impact in civilian healthcare. Register for your certification exam today and take the next step into a meaningful healthcare career.

Your Training, Our Certification - Empowering Healthcare Professionals for a Stronger Tomorrow.

For more reading on applying experience for certification, check out our blog on Your Work Experience May Qualify You to Take AAH Exams