Top 12 Infantryman Skills to Put on Your Resume

Crafting a compelling resume as an infantryman demands highlighting the unique skill set developed on the front lines, blending physical prowess with strategic acumen. This introduction will guide you through the top 12 skills essential for transitioning from the battlefield to a civilian career, ensuring your resume stands out to potential employers.

Infantryman Skills

1. Marksmanship
2. Navigation
3. First Aid
4. Radio Communication
5. Tactical Movement
6. Physical Fitness
7. Survival Skills
8. Team Coordination
9. Stress Management
10. Equipment Maintenance
11. Situational Awareness
12. Leadership Skills

1. Marksmanship

Marksmanship for an infantryman refers to the skill of accurately and effectively using firearms to hit designated targets.

Why It's Important

Marksmanship is crucial for an infantryman as it ensures accurate and effective engagement of targets, enhancing battlefield survivability and mission success.

How to Improve Marksmanship Skills

Improving marksmanship, especially for an infantryman, involves a blend of physical conditioning, mastering fundamentals, and consistent practice. Here are concise tips for enhancement:

1. Master the Basics: Focus on the four fundamentals of marksmanship: steady position, aiming, breath control, and trigger squeeze. Army Marksmanship Manual

2. Dry Fire Practice: Safely practice the fundamentals without live ammunition to improve muscle memory. Ensure the firearm is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction. NRA Dry Fire Practice

3. Physical Fitness: Strengthen core muscles and improve overall fitness to enhance stability and endurance. Military.com Fitness

4. Breathing Techniques: Learn to control your breathing to minimize movement and improve focus. Precision Shooting - Breathing Techniques

5. Regular Range Time: Consistent live-fire exercises under various conditions help adaptability and accuracy.

6. Mental Preparation: Visualization and mental rehearsals of different shooting scenarios can improve reaction times and decision-making. Shooting Sports Psychology

7. Seek Feedback: Use a coach or experienced shooter to get constructive feedback on your shooting technique and progress.

By focusing on these aspects, an infantryman can significantly improve their marksmanship skills.

How to Display Marksmanship Skills on Your Resume

2. Navigation

Navigation for an infantryman is the process of accurately determining one's position and planning and following a route to reach a destination on foot, often using maps, compasses, GPS systems, and environmental landmarks.

Why It's Important

Navigation is crucial for an infantryman to accurately move and position themselves on the battlefield, ensuring effective coordination, timely arrival at objectives, and safety from friendly fire or getting lost.

How to Improve Navigation Skills

To improve navigation as an infantryman, focus on mastering these key areas:

1. Map Reading: Understand topographic symbols, scale, and contour lines. National Geographic offers a basic introduction.
2. Compass Skills: Learn to use a compass alongside a map for accurate direction finding. REI's compass guide is a practical starting point.
3. GPS Proficiency: Familiarize yourself with GPS devices for modern navigation. Garmin's tutorials can help.
4. Land Navigation Techniques: Practice techniques like dead reckoning, terrain association, and pace counting. The Army Study Guide provides detailed insights.
5. Night Navigation: Develop skills for navigating in low-light conditions using night vision devices. Tactical Night Vision Company has resources and gear.

Regular practice in diverse terrains and conditions will enhance these skills.

How to Display Navigation Skills on Your Resume

3. First Aid

First Aid for an infantryman is the immediate care given to a wounded or injured soldier on the battlefield to stabilize their condition, prevent further harm, and sustain life until more advanced medical treatment can be administered.

Why It's Important

First Aid is crucial for an infantryman as it provides immediate medical intervention for injuries sustained in combat, potentially saving lives and preventing minor injuries from becoming life-threatening. It ensures prompt action in critical situations, enhancing survival and recovery rates on the battlefield.

How to Improve First Aid Skills

Improving First Aid skills for an Infantryman involves continuous education, practical training, and staying updated with the latest medical protocols. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Continuous Education: Engage in regular first aid courses, including Combat Lifesaver (CLS) courses, to refresh and update your knowledge. Red Cross and NAEMT offer relevant courses.

2. Practical Training: Participate in realistic, scenario-based training exercises to enhance your hands-on skills. Utilize training opportunities provided by the military or consider simulations offered by Stop The Bleed.

3. Stay Updated: Regularly review the latest Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) guidelines available through the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC).

4. Utilize Technology: Leverage mobile apps and online resources for quick refreshers and updates. Deployed Medicine provides access to current TCCC guidelines and training videos.

5. Physical Fitness: Maintain a high level of physical fitness to ensure you’re always ready to provide aid under stressful and physically demanding conditions.

By following these steps and continuously seeking to improve your first aid skills, you’ll significantly contribute to the survivability and effectiveness of your unit on the battlefield.

How to Display First Aid Skills on Your Resume

4. Radio Communication

Radio communication for an infantryman involves using portable radio devices to transmit and receive voice and data information instantly over distances, facilitating coordination, command, and control on the battlefield.

Why It's Important

Radio communication is crucial for infantrymen as it enables real-time coordination, command control, situational updates, and swift response to threats, enhancing operational effectiveness and safety on the battlefield.

How to Improve Radio Communication Skills

To improve radio communication for an infantryman, focus on these key areas:

1. Training: Enhance skills in radio operation and communication protocols. Army Communication and Information Systems Specialist Course covers essentials.

2. Equipment Maintenance: Regularly check and maintain radios and accessories. Proper Maintenance Techniques offer insights on upkeep.

3. Signal Optimization: Utilize terrain and positioning for better signal strength. Understanding Radio Wave Propagation for Tactical Operations provides guidelines.

4. Encryption and Security: Implement secure communication methods to prevent interception. Tactical Secure Voice Cryptographic Interoperability Specification outlines standards.

5. Power Management: Efficient use of battery and power sources to ensure sustained operations. The Tactical Radio Operations Field Manual includes power management strategies.

By focusing on these areas, an infantryman can significantly enhance their radio communication capabilities.

How to Display Radio Communication Skills on Your Resume

5. Tactical Movement

Tactical Movement refers to the methods and maneuvers used by infantrymen to advance, reposition, or withdraw on the battlefield in a manner that minimizes exposure to enemy fire while optimizing their own combat effectiveness and maintaining cohesion with their unit.

Why It's Important

Tactical movement is crucial for an infantryman because it enhances survivability and effectiveness on the battlefield by allowing for safe maneuvering under enemy threat, maintaining element of surprise, and positioning for advantageous engagement and mission accomplishment.

How to Improve Tactical Movement Skills

Improving tactical movement for an infantryman involves enhancing physical fitness, mastering the environment, and sharpening situational awareness. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Physical Fitness: Increase endurance and strength through regular, focused exercise routines. Army Physical Fitness Test preparation workouts are ideal.

2. Terrain Navigation: Become proficient in reading terrain and using it to your advantage. Practice with maps and compasses, and familiarize yourself with land navigation techniques.

3. Movement Techniques: Drill the three movement techniques—high crawl, low crawl, and 3-5 second rushes—under varying conditions. For a detailed guide, check the Infantry School’s movement techniques.

4. Situational Awareness: Enhance your ability to read the battlefield and anticipate enemy actions. Participate in tactical decision games and study combat tactics.

5. Stealth Techniques: Learn and practice noise discipline, light discipline, and camouflage techniques. Reference materials like FM 21-75 Combat Skills of the Soldier can be insightful.

6. Team Coordination: Work on communication and coordination within your unit. Efficient team movement is key to tactical advantage.

7. Continual Learning: Stay updated on new tactics, techniques, and technologies in infantry operations. Military manuals and professional military education resources are valuable.

By focusing on these areas, an infantryman can significantly improve their tactical movement capabilities.

How to Display Tactical Movement Skills on Your Resume

6. Physical Fitness

Physical fitness, for an infantryman, is the combination of strength, endurance, and agility required to effectively perform combat tasks, carry equipment, and maintain operational readiness under physically demanding conditions.

Why It's Important

Physical fitness is essential for an infantryman as it enhances endurance, strength, and agility, enabling effective execution of demanding tasks, quick adaptation to challenging environments, and reduction of injury risks during combat operations.

How to Improve Physical Fitness Skills

Improving physical fitness, especially for an infantryman, involves a comprehensive approach focusing on endurance, strength, agility, and mental resilience. Here's a concise guide:

1. Endurance Training: Incorporate regular running and rucking to improve cardiovascular health. Aim for varied terrain and incrementally increase distance and load.

2. Strength Training: Focus on bodyweight exercises (push-ups, pull-ups) and compound lifts (squats, deadlifts) to build functional strength. Utilize circuit training for efficiency.

3. Agility and Flexibility: Practice plyometrics and dynamic stretching to enhance explosive power and prevent injuries. Include agility drills that mimic tactical movements.

4. Mental Resilience: Engage in activities that challenge your mental fortitude, such as mindfulness and survival skills training. Mental toughness complements physical prowess.

5. Nutrition and Recovery: Follow a balanced diet rich in whole foods to fuel your body and aid in recovery. Prioritize sleep and active recovery techniques to prevent overtraining.

Remember, consistency and gradual progression are key to improving physical fitness as an infantryman.

How to Display Physical Fitness Skills on Your Resume

7. Survival Skills

Survival skills for an infantryman encompass the techniques and strategies used to sustain life, navigate, and remain safe in potentially hostile environments. This includes finding food and water, building shelter, signaling for help, first aid, navigating without a compass, and evading enemy capture.

Why It's Important

Survival skills are crucial for an infantryman as they ensure readiness and resilience in unpredictable environments, enabling them to sustain life, evade danger, and effectively continue their mission, even in adverse conditions.

How to Improve Survival Skills Skills

Improving survival skills, especially for an infantryman, involves continuous learning and practice. Focus on the following key areas:

1. Navigation: Become proficient in using maps, compasses, and GPS devices. REI's Navigation Basics offers a good starting point.

2. First Aid: Master first aid techniques, including CPR and treating injuries. The American Red Cross provides essential training.

3. Shelter Building: Learn to construct various types of shelters in different environments. The Ultimate Survival Tips YouTube Channel has practical demonstrations.

4. Fire Making: Understand fire-making techniques, including using flint and steel or a fire plow. The Art of Manliness guide covers the basics.

5. Water Procurement: Study methods for finding, purifying, and storing water. The Practical Survivor site dives into details.

6. Food Procurement: Get skilled in identifying edible plants, hunting, and trapping. Wilderness Awareness School provides valuable insights.

7. Fitness: Maintain peak physical condition to withstand the rigors of survival situations. Military.com's Fitness Center is a great resource.

8. Mental Resilience: Develop mental toughness through challenges. The Resilience Project offers strategies and insights.

Regularly engaging in training exercises that simulate real-world scenarios will help reinforce these skills.

How to Display Survival Skills Skills on Your Resume

8. Team Coordination

Team coordination in the context of an infantryman refers to the synchronized efforts and communication among team members to achieve tactical objectives, maintain situational awareness, and ensure mutual support in combat operations.

Why It's Important

Team coordination is crucial for an infantryman to ensure operational effectiveness, maintain situational awareness, and enhance safety, enabling precise, synchronized actions in high-pressure environments.

How to Improve Team Coordination Skills

Improving team coordination for an infantryman involves a blend of communication, practice, and leadership skills. Here are concise tips:

1. Regular Training: Conduct regular drills and exercises to hone teamwork in realistic scenarios.
2. Clear Communication: Establish clear communication channels and practice concise, effective communication.
3. Leadership Development: Encourage leadership skills within the team to foster initiative and adaptability.
4. After Action Reviews (AARs): Implement AARs after drills and missions to discuss what went well and what needs improvement.
5. Physical Fitness: Maintain high physical fitness levels to ensure team members can physically keep up with the demands of operations.
6. Trust Building: Engage in activities that build trust and camaraderie, essential for effective team coordination under stress.

How to Display Team Coordination Skills on Your Resume

9. Stress Management

Stress management for an infantryman involves techniques and strategies to reduce, cope with, and control the mental and physical pressures experienced during combat, training, and daily military life, aiming to maintain optimal performance and well-being.

Why It's Important

Stress management is crucial for an infantryman as it helps maintain optimal mental and physical performance, enhances decision-making under pressure, and reduces the risk of chronic stress-related health issues, ensuring readiness and resilience in high-stress combat environments.

How to Improve Stress Management Skills

Improving stress management, particularly for an infantryman, involves incorporating techniques that enhance resilience, foster mental toughness, and promote physical well-being. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Physical Fitness: Engage in regular physical training tailored to enhance both strength and endurance. This not only improves physical resilience but also helps in managing stress hormones. Physical Activity and Stress.

2. Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice mindfulness exercises and meditation to enhance mental clarity, focus, and emotional regulation. These techniques can be particularly effective in high-pressure environments. Mindfulness for Military.

3. Sleep Hygiene: Prioritize good sleep practices to ensure restorative sleep, which is crucial for stress recovery and overall health. Sleep and Stress.

4. Nutrition: Opt for a balanced diet rich in nutrients that support energy levels and combat stress. Hydration is equally important. Nutrition and Stress.

5. Social Support: Maintain strong connections with fellow soldiers, friends, and family. Sharing experiences and feelings can significantly reduce stress. Social Support and Stress Relief.

6. Professional Assistance: Seek professional help if stress becomes overwhelming, including accessing military mental health resources. Early intervention can prevent stress from escalating into more serious mental health issues. Military Mental Health Resources.

Incorporating these strategies into daily routines can significantly improve stress management for infantrymen, enhancing both their operational performance and overall quality of life.

How to Display Stress Management Skills on Your Resume

10. Equipment Maintenance

Equipment maintenance for an infantryman involves the regular inspection, cleaning, repairing, and servicing of personal and assigned gear, weapons, and equipment to ensure optimal functionality, reliability, and readiness for operations.

Why It's Important

Equipment maintenance is crucial for an infantryman as it ensures the reliability and readiness of gear, reduces the risk of malfunctions during operations, and enhances personal safety and mission effectiveness.

How to Improve Equipment Maintenance Skills

Improving equipment maintenance, especially for an Infantryman, involves several straightforward but crucial steps. Firstly, understanding and strictly following the manufacturer's maintenance guidelines ensures that the equipment is serviced correctly. Regular cleaning and inspection allow for the early detection of wear or damage, preventing costly repairs or replacements. Proper storage, avoiding harsh environments when not in use, prolongs the life of the equipment. Lastly, staying updated with the latest maintenance techniques and technologies through continuous education and training ensures that the equipment is maintained efficiently and effectively.

For more detailed guidelines and best practices:

• U.S. Army Maintenance: Detailed maintenance manuals and procedures.
• Military.com - Gear Maintenance: Tips and advice on maintaining various military gear.
• Infantry Equipment Maintenance: Official site for U.S. Army PEO Soldier, providing resources and updates on equipment and maintenance.

These resources offer valuable insights and specific guidance tailored to the needs of an Infantryman aiming to improve equipment maintenance.

How to Display Equipment Maintenance Skills on Your Resume

11. Situational Awareness

Situational Awareness for an infantryman refers to the ability to understand, process, and anticipate current and potential circumstances in the immediate environment, including the locations, actions, and intentions of allies and enemies, to make timely and informed decisions during combat or operational activities.

Why It's Important

Situational awareness is vital for an infantryman because it enables them to recognize and understand their immediate environment, anticipate potential threats, and respond effectively to ensure personal and unit safety during operations.

How to Improve Situational Awareness Skills

Improving situational awareness for an infantryman involves a combination of training, practice, and mindfulness. Here's a concise guide:

1. Continuous Observation: Keep your head up and eyes scanning. Use all your senses to gather information about your environment.

2. Understand the Mission: Fully grasp your objectives, the terrain, and the enemy. Army Field Manual 3-21.8 provides guidance on the infantry rifle platoon and squad, which is crucial for understanding mission context.

3. Communication: Constantly communicate with your team. Share observations and updates. Effective communication tools and techniques are detailed in JP 3-13.3, covering operations security and information sharing.

4. Mental Simulation: Regularly practice mental simulation of possible scenarios. This improves decision-making and reaction times under stress.

5. Physical and Mental Fitness: Maintain high levels of physical fitness and practice stress management techniques. This ensures you remain alert and can respond effectively under pressure.

6. Training and Drills: Participate in regular, realistic training exercises that simulate combat conditions. The Combat Training Center (CTC) Program offers advanced training opportunities.

7. Use of Technology: Familiarize yourself with the latest reconnaissance and surveillance technologies. Drones, sensors, and night vision equipment can significantly enhance situational awareness.

By consistently applying these strategies, an infantryman can significantly improve their situational awareness, leading to better decision-making and effectiveness in the field.

How to Display Situational Awareness Skills on Your Resume

12. Leadership Skills

Leadership skills for an infantryman involve the ability to inspire, direct, and guide others under challenging conditions, ensuring effective teamwork, decision-making, and mission accomplishment while maintaining morale and discipline within the unit.

Why It's Important

Leadership skills are crucial for an Infantryman because they ensure effective command, prompt decision-making under pressure, unit cohesion, and the ability to inspire and motivate fellow soldiers, all of which are essential for mission success and survival in combat situations.

How to Improve Leadership Skills Skills

Improving leadership skills, especially for an infantryman, requires a focus on both personal development and team dynamics. Here are concise steps with relevant resources:

1. Develop Self-Discipline: Discipline is foundational in the military. Enhance it by setting personal goals and adhering strictly to them. Army Leadership and Discipline

2. Strengthen Communication Skills: Effective leadership is rooted in clear communication. Practice active listening and clear, concise speaking. Military Communication Skills

3. Enhance Decision-Making Abilities: Good leaders make decisions confidently and quickly, taking into account the well-being of their team and the mission's objectives. Decision Making in Leadership

4. Lead by Example: Your team will follow your lead. Exhibit the behavior you expect from them. Leading by Example

5. Understand Your Team: Know the strengths and weaknesses of your team members. This will enable you to assign tasks more effectively. Understanding Team Dynamics

6. Receive and Give Feedback: Constructive feedback is crucial for growth. Learn to accept feedback gracefully and provide it effectively. Feedback in Leadership

7. Continuous Learning and Adaptability: The battlefield and team dynamics evolve. Stay informed and adaptable to new strategies and technologies. Adaptive Leadership

8. Build Resilience: Leadership involves handling stress and setbacks. Develop resilience through physical fitness, mental health practices, and fostering a supportive network. Building Resilience

By focusing on these areas and consistently seeking opportunities for growth, an infantryman can significantly enhance their leadership skills.

How to Display Leadership Skills Skills on Your Resume