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Transitioning Military

As a member of the military, you understand the importance of a mission. Much like you, the workforce at NSA is proud, patriotic, and knows the importance of NSA’s commitment to keeping the Nation safe. If you are dedicated, educated, and mission-oriented, NSA has exciting career opportunities that fit your military training.

Benefits
Whether you have retired or are transitioning into civilian life, you want to make sure your military benefits are part of a future career plan. NSA is committed to honoring your military service. Here’s how:

Leave Accrual
A new employee with at least three years of active duty military service would automatically go into a six hour leave category. This does not apply to retired military personnel. Retired military may get credit for some of their military service. However, service must have been performed in a war or military campaign and would have to be verified by the military branch in which you served.

Credit Toward Retirement
If you have prior active duty military service, you may be eligible for credit toward retirement. By paying three percent on your military earnings plus interest, you may be eligible for civilian credit for your military time, as well as early retirement. Interest starts to accrue on the amount owned two years after your entry on duty (EOD).

Visit our benefits page for more information about all of the incredible benefits you’ll receive at NSA, including flexible work hours and paid time off.

Exciting Careers
As someone who is transitioning out of the military, the skills you learned while serving our country are beneficial to a career at NSA. NSA is looking for experienced professionals for the following exciting career fields:

Computer Science
Computer/Electrical Engineering
Mathematics
Foreign Language
Intelligence Analysis
Cryptanalysis/Signals Analysis
Information Assurance
Business
Others

To further enhance your career development, NSA offers a variety of specialized academic programs.

Qualifications
Qualifications for NSA employment depend on the position for which you are applying. Specific education and skill requirements are defined for available positions in the Job Search section.

All applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:

  • Must be within six months of separation and/or on terminal leave, or have retirement orders before processing with NSA
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must be eligible to obtain a high-level security clearance

For more answers to your questions, please visit the FAQ section.

How to Apply
NSA has a rigorous application process for all applicants. All applicants, including transitioning military personnel, must submit a resume to NSA using our online application system. If your qualifications meet our needs for a specific career opportunity, you will be contacted by an NSA recruiter.

Applicants can expect the hiring process to include medical screening, a polygraph interview, drug test, and an extensive background investigation. Depending on your specific circumstances and the security clearances that must be obtained, this process may take six months to one year.

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Resume Tips
The skills you bring from your military experience are beneficial to a career at NSA. Follow these helpful resume tips to maximize your military service and accomplishments.

  • Keep your resume to one page.
  • Avoid typographical and grammatical errors.
  • Always accompany your resume with a cover letter.
  • Tailor your resume for both the position you are applying for as well as the employer.
  • Clearly identify your skills.
  • Make your resume look sharp and dynamic.
  • Show how your skills benefit the employer.
  • Make sure that your information, especially dates, are consistent.
  • Spell out acronyms.
  • Take advantage of the classes offered at your duty station that teach you how to format a resume.
  • Remember that military campaigns and operations translate into projects when listed on a resume.
  • Show your resume to friends and family who are not in the military. Ask them to point out military terms that they may not understand.

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Date Posted: Jan 15, 2009 | Last Modified: Jan 15, 2009 | Last Reviewed: Jan 15, 2009

  
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