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How difficult is it to obtain a PMP utilizing military experience?

Veteran

Daniel Keyes Budd Lake, NJ

I'm currently applying for a PMP utilizing my project Management Experience while in the Army, though I'm not sure how well It will hold up through the Audit as I don't have very many project folders on hand from my past assignments. While on active duty I had 9 months Experience as a Contracting Management Engineer and 16 Months as a Company Commander, with another 15 Months as Company Commander while in the reserves.
Does anyone have any experience applying for a PMP with military Experience, If so was it easy to pass the audit? And how many years of military experience did it require to obtain the necessary hours?

17 December 2015 7 replies Education & Training

Answers

Advisor

Drew Schildwächter Wilmington, NC

Dan: I can't say anything about it from personal experience, but among my friends who have attained a PMP most had less experience than you're describing (one was a pilot, for example). In short, I feel as if you could make a valid case for your eligibility; you might use your fitness reports as documentation.

Have you looked at Syracuse's Veteran program? http://vets.syr.edu/employment/vctp-certification-paths/

Best of luck.

17 December 2015 Helpful answer

Advisor

David Forman Media, PA

Hi Dan,

Drew is 100% right. Your military project management experience is absolutely valid when applying for your PMP; as long as you're able to describe that project within the context of the processes you learn during your coursework. The projects don't have to be earth shatteringly large or complicated, either. For example, if you organized something like a change of command ceremony you could break it down into the project management processes and use that as one of the qualifying projects. If you go through Syracuse's program their counselors will help you fill out and submit the appropriate project management information to PMI (if you need help). Even if you don't, it may be worth reaching out to them if you're having trouble or have questions.

Good luck!

30 December 2015 Helpful answer

Advisor

Doug Hill Kearneysville, WV

Captain,

I am posting this article that might give you guidance. I have no affiliation with this article poster. I have looked into several certifications (I have an alphabet soup after my job title) and some of them I had to walk away from because I know I can't meet the requirements. I recommend that after reading the article, you talk directly to a member of the certification board. They are great sources of valid and exact information. This is the link:
http://entangled.com/how-to-file-your-work-experience-on-the-pmp-application/
Thank you for your service.

Advisor

Chris Moore Sacramento, CA

I teach PMP prep courses and recommend using the 47 processes in Table 3-1 (but you don't need to use all of them!) as appropriate to projects you've managed. If your reference won't recognize Develop Charter, insert phrases they're familiar with (complete business case). Audit selection appears to be random and not associated with your inputs in the application.

Advisor

Sean Remley Fredericksburg, VA

Daniel,
I got my PMP in 2007. I had been out of the Army for more than 3 years and was not able to use my military time (junior infantry officer) due to time limit. However, using military experience would have been much easier than my defense contracting experience. Managing people, equipment, training, readiness, travel / deployment and missions are easily converted to project management. (PMI wants your money.) To be honest, yes the exam is tough but I thought the application process was the hardest part! Also, a little trick that worked for me was to think of my basic patrol orders and troop leading procedures when answering difficult questions that I could not remember the book / PEMBOK answer. The five project management phases sort of align to the five paragraph OPORD. Good luck. Sean

Advisor

Joe Paschall Madison, AL

I see that you already got this answered pretty well on the LInkedIn Veteran Mentor Network group!

Advisor

John Green Cary, NC

Not difficult at all.

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