Please upgrade your web browser

These pages are built with modern web browsers in mind, and are not optimized for Internet Explorer 8 or below. Please try using another web browser, such as Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 10, Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari.

Can civilian employers find out that I served in the military? What happens if I don’t mention it at all?

Veteran

Angel Diaz Troy, NY

This question is being asked out of curiosity

8 January 2019 3 replies Military to Civilian Transition

Answers

Advisor

Sam Hoffman Roslyn Heights, NY

The hard truth is you're most likely going to have a hard next few years. Your best bet may be work at a hotel/restaurant at the entry level, one where you don't have to fill out an online application, put together a strong body of work, finish school, over the next few years to where you are qualified for management, at which point your discharge conditions matter less. The hospitality industry is usually more forgiving of peoples' pasts.

Advisor

Duke Khadan Sawh Keyport, NJ

Hi Angel,

Not sure why you would even ask this except to avoid something. Employers do obviously research prospective candidates and the predominance of information sites would obviously reveal. Remember honesty is the best policy.

Best wishes.

Duke

Advisor

Chuck Burger King Of Prussia, PA

The short answer is yes, "they will know". Any form of background investigation, even something as simple and quite common as a credit check would likely uncover your ties to the military. Also, it is not clear how the obvious time gap is addressed with such an omission.

Your Answer

Please log in to answer this question.

Sign Up

You can join as either a Veteran or an Advisor.

An Advisor already has a career, with or without military experience, and is willing to engage with and help veterans.
Sign Up as an Advisor.

A Veteran has military experience and is seeking a new career, or assistance with life after service.
Sign Up as a Veteran.