Leaving military service after several years often means relearning how to describe one's own work. A resume that lists a rank and a unit designation means little to a civilian hiring manager, even when the underlying experience, managing equipment worth millions of dollars, training and evaluating a dozen subordinates, operating under real deadlines with real consequences, would be impressive stated in civilian terms. Transition assistance programs now spend real time on this translation problem specifically, treating it not as a formality but as the single biggest obstacle between a qualified veteran and a job interview.