Career transition platform for military veterans entering the HR field.
The Reddit post and its comments highlight the unique challenges and opportunities for military personnel, especially officers like O-4s, as they transition into civilian Human Resources roles. There's a clear gap between military HR experience and terminology and civilian HR practices, along with a need for guidance on certifications, resume translation, and finding relevant job opportunities.
Niche SaaS Opportunity: A specialized career transition and upskilling platform for military personnel aiming for civilian HR careers.
Product Form: A SaaS platform featuring:
- Military-to-Civilian HR Skills Translator & Resume Builder: An AI-powered tool that helps users translate their military experience (e.g., leadership, personnel management, training, logistics, operations planning for an O-4) into terms relevant to civilian HR competencies (e.g., talent management, organizational development, employee relations, HRIS management). It would suggest keywords and rephrase achievements.
- Curated Learning Paths & Certification Guidance: Tailored learning modules on fundamental civilian HR practices (e.g., employment law, compensation & benefits, talent acquisition, HRIS) and clear pathways/prep materials for key HR certifications (SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR) that are often required or preferred in the civilian sector.
- Niche Job Board & Employer Network: A job board featuring HR positions from companies actively seeking to hire veterans, particularly defense contractors (as suggested in comments) or organizations with strong veteran hiring programs. It could also allow employers to specifically search for candidates with military backgrounds.
- Mentorship & Community Platform: Connecting transitioning military personnel with veterans who have successfully navigated the move into civilian HR. This could include forums, Q&A sessions, and direct mentorship matching.
- Salary Benchmarking Tool: Provides realistic salary expectations for various HR roles in different locations, factoring in military experience and desired civilian roles, addressing concerns like the user who transitioned to a $32k/year role.
Expected Revenue: Revenue could be generated through a multi-tiered model:
- Individual Subscriptions: A freemium model offering basic resume tools and limited course access, with premium tiers ($20-$75/month) unlocking advanced translation features, full course access, mentorship matching, and premium job alerts.
- B2B Partnerships:
- Employers: Fees for posting jobs on the niche board, accessing the candidate database, or featured employer profiles ($100-$500 per job post or monthly subscription for unlimited posts/access).
- Corporate Outplacement Services: Partnerships with the military or organizations offering transition assistance programs to provide the platform as a resource to departing personnel.
- Affiliate Revenue: Commissions from referrals to certification bodies or advanced third-party HR training providers.
Given the specific target audience and the value proposition, a well-marketed platform could attract a significant portion of the thousands of military personnel transitioning each year, with potential annual recurring revenue scaling from six figures into the low seven figures as the user base and employer network grow.
Origin Reddit Post
r/humanresources
Military to HR? [VA]
Posted by u/Historical_Okra1434•06/08/2025
I have 17 years in the military (currently O-4) and am leaning towards retirement in a little less than 3 years. I am interested in seeking to move into the HR world once I leave military ser
Top Comments
u/kingboy10
Telecommunication sales for the generalist role and the HRBP is a supply chain company.
In Iowa specifically the pay is very good it is very LCOL here. For HRBP here 95k to start is good. F
u/kingboy10
Their education background will not help in HR that is my experience at least that may vary.
They don’t have a lot of HR experience and no degree pertaining to HR that’s the fact of the mat
u/Bulky-Strawberry-110
Those require masters degrees at top hr programs in the country that'll run you 50-60k or 88k at cornell and you need to be in person for a year and a half or two. And you have one year afte
u/Dutch1inAZ
I know at least half a dozen right off the bat and your background is very similar. I see no barriers to making this move based on the above.
u/kingboy10
Their education background will not help in HR that is my experience at least that may vary.
They don’t have a lot of HR experience and no degree pertaining to HR that’s the fact of the mat
u/RileyKohaku
If you want to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs, once the Hiring Freeze is over, we’d be happy to hire you as a GS-9 ladder to a GS-12. Maybe even higher if you worded the resume t
u/Bulky-Strawberry-110
I think there are companies that specialize in transitions like this. I can't speak for military HR but I've heard that was different even than DoD Civ HR (I'm a forner dod civ intern but i r
u/kingboy10
Education does matter almost any HR role even entry will require a degree specifically in business, psychology, org leadership, etc.
u/DiscipleofGoku
I also did HR air the marines and now I’m doing HR as a civilian with a low salary of 32k/year. What are you making of you don’t mind sharing ?
u/VirginiaUSA1964
Focus on defense contractors, use the Veteran Resource Center at your local unemployment office, they will help you with your resume to translate it into the private sector.
All free.
u/kingboy10
Education does matter almost any HR role even entry will require a degree specifically in business, psychology, org leadership, etc.
u/RileyKohaku
If you want to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs, once the Hiring Freeze is over, we’d be happy to hire you as a GS-9 ladder to a GS-12. Maybe even higher if you worded the resume t
u/kingboy10
Il tell you HR in the military and HR in private sector are two almost completely different things although there are some overlap as far as certain processes.
You’ll likely need to start a
u/Prudent_Course2753
What industry are you in? As a compensation analyst, to me that seems underpaid for both your current role and your new role.
u/kingboy10
As a Sr. Generalist 77k the HRBP role I am in for the final interview with site visit is 95k I live in central Iowa for perspective
u/RileyKohaku
If you want to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs, once the Hiring Freeze is over, we’d be happy to hire you as a GS-9 ladder to a GS-12. Maybe even higher if you worded the resume t
u/[deleted]
[deleted]
u/[deleted]
[deleted]
u/Dutch1inAZ
I know at least half a dozen right off the bat and your background is very similar. I see no barriers to making this move based on the above.
u/kingboy10
Il tell you HR in the military and HR in private sector are two almost completely different things although there are some overlap as far as certain processes.
You’ll likely need to start a
u/Hrgooglefu
don’t get another masters….you are already over educated….
look for employers who deal in either federal contracts or religious organiztions/nonprofits
u/throwawayfarway2017
Im so glad to hear this. My spouse is a veteran, his military job was similar to HR so he’s looking for the same thing but he was hired just to be told we dont expect to give you lots of thin
u/kingboy10
Il tell you HR in the military and HR in private sector are two almost completely different things although there are some overlap as far as certain processes.
You’ll likely need to start a
u/Prudent_Course2753
Apologies, let me clarify, field of study does not matter. OP says he already has multiple degrees.
u/Prudent_Course2753
Im just saying that with 20 years of experience as an officer, I’m sure he can leverage some relative experience. I’ve seen college interns and rotational programs that shove you right into S
u/[deleted]
[deleted]
u/Bulky-Strawberry-110
I think there are companies that specialize in transitions like this. I can't speak for military HR but I've heard that was different even than DoD Civ HR (I'm a forner dod civ intern but i r
u/kingboy10
Education does matter almost any HR role even entry will require a degree specifically in business, psychology, org leadership, etc.
u/throwawayfarway2017
Im so glad to hear this. My spouse is a veteran, his military job was similar to HR so he’s looking for the same thing but he was hired just to be told we dont expect to give you lots of thin
u/squishedheart
I only have an anecdote to share. I hired a retired military man to work as my HR admin. He wanted an opportunity to see if the profession fit. I specifically hired him because he was multili
u/squishedheart
I only have an anecdote to share. I hired a retired military man to work as my HR admin. He wanted an opportunity to see if the profession fit. I specifically hired him because he was multili
u/DiscipleofGoku
I also did HR air the marines and now I’m doing HR as a civilian with a low salary of 32k/year. What are you making of you don’t mind sharing ?
u/Bulky-Strawberry-110
Those require masters degrees at top hr programs in the country that'll run you 50-60k or 88k at cornell and you need to be in person for a year and a half or two. And you have one year afte
u/kingboy10
As a Sr. Generalist 77k the HRBP role I am in for the final interview with site visit is 95k I live in central Iowa for perspective
u/Hrgooglefu
don’t get another masters….you are already over educated….
look for employers who deal in either federal contracts or religious organiztions/nonprofits
u/kingboy10
As a Sr. Generalist 77k the HRBP role I am in for the final interview with site visit is 95k I live in central Iowa for perspective
u/[deleted]
[deleted]
u/DiscipleofGoku
I also did HR air the marines and now I’m doing HR as a civilian with a low salary of 32k/year. What are you making of you don’t mind sharing ?
u/Prudent_Course2753
Im just saying that with 20 years of experience as an officer, I’m sure he can leverage some relative experience. I’ve seen college interns and rotational programs that shove you right into S
u/Prudent_Course2753
I spent nearly 7+ years as a Navy Corpsman, finished my bachelors in Organizational Trainings and Development while I was Active Duty. Got out at the end of 2019 as an E-5 and started in corp
u/Prudent_Course2753
Apologies, let me clarify, field of study does not matter. OP says he already has multiple degrees.
u/VirginiaUSA1964
Focus on defense contractors, use the Veteran Resource Center at your local unemployment office, they will help you with your resume to translate it into the private sector.
All free.
u/kingboy10
Telecommunication sales for the generalist role and the HRBP is a supply chain company.
In Iowa specifically the pay is very good it is very LCOL here. For HRBP here 95k to start is good. F
u/kingboy10
Their education background will not help in HR that is my experience at least that may vary.
They don’t have a lot of HR experience and no degree pertaining to HR that’s the fact of the mat
u/Bulky-Strawberry-110
I think there are companies that specialize in transitions like this. I can't speak for military HR but I've heard that was different even than DoD Civ HR (I'm a forner dod civ intern but i r
u/Prudent_Course2753
I spent nearly 7+ years as a Navy Corpsman, finished my bachelors in Organizational Trainings and Development while I was Active Duty. Got out at the end of 2019 as an E-5 and started in corp
u/VirginiaUSA1964
Focus on defense contractors, use the Veteran Resource Center at your local unemployment office, they will help you with your resume to translate it into the private sector.
All free.
u/squishedheart
I only have an anecdote to share. I hired a retired military man to work as my HR admin. He wanted an opportunity to see if the profession fit. I specifically hired him because he was multili
u/Prudent_Course2753
What industry are you in? As a compensation analyst, to me that seems underpaid for both your current role and your new role.