12 Jobs You Can Get in the Military With an MBA

For years, recommended reading lists for business majors have included titles like ''The Art of War'' and ''The Book of Five Rings'', books that never mention business a single time. Instead, these books focus on tactics and strategies of combat. Business majors have seen the parallels between war and business and the military also sees the advantages of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program for military service.

MBA degree programs prepare service members for business- and non-business-focused roles. Each military branch has enlisted and officer ranks and service members must have at least a bachelor's degree to become a commissioned officer. Active-duty service members with an MBA are eligible for military jobs that require a master's degree, as well as higher ranks and pay grades.

Top Military Careers for MBA Holders

An MBA can help progress a service member's career path in multiple ways as there are many military career paths with a business degree. MBA holders will learn hard and soft skills that can be applied directly to business positions. However, many of the planning and strategic skills associated with a business degree plan can be used in more general leadership roles.

1. Military Logistics Officer

Military logistics officers are responsible for the general business administration tasks of a base or other military installation — everything from ordering and maintaining supply levels to distribution and resource allocation.

These officers coordinate business operations and work with supply chain managers on procurement. Logistics officers also perform data analysis and review to ensure the proper supplies are stocked and ordered on time.

2. Financial Manager

Military installations have access to large budgets, but they don't have access to unlimited funds. Financial managers create financial strategies and budgets that help bases perform their required tasks within their financial means.

Financial managers create financial reports to track spending. Other financial management tasks include risk management, monitoring legal compliance, and reviewing accounting reports.

3. Human Resources Manager

Some of the most common civilian MBA jobs are in human resources. HR in the military involves problem-solving associated with conflict resolution, allocating VA and other healthcare benefits, and more.

HR professionals in the military handle promotions and staffing like their civilian counterparts, but they need to have an additional understanding of military regulations and be able to align individual service members with the right career options. HR managers in the military also work with recruiters to find new enlisted and officer candidates.

4. Operations Officer

Organizational operations include many different aspects, including business management, analysis, basic supply chain management, and other general administrative tasks. The ultimate goal of an operations officer is efficiency, whether a civilian or in the armed forces. Operations managers work to make bases and units run smoothly.

5. Program Manager

Program management requires advanced leadership skills. Program managers oversee the individual projects and strategies of a business. The job description for a military program manager focuses on coordinating missions, strategies, and tactics.

These skills can be used for business projects on base, but they can also be applied to more military-specific operations.

6. Strategic Planner

Strategic planners in civilian jobs help create business plans and strategies. In military jobs, strategic planners can work in business operations as management analysts to ensure business initiatives run smoothly; however, that isn't the only home for these skills. Military operations are built on strategies and tactics.

Business and military strategies have different outcomes, but the processes of developing these plans have a lot in common.

7. Business Development Specialist

Business development specialists research markets and potential clients, while working with strategic planners. These skills might not seem immediately applicable to full-time military service, but many skills needed for business development can be used by recruiters to help find qualified candidates for the enlisted ranks and Officer Training School.

8. Contracts Manager

Contracts and legal documents are essential to running any organization properly. These contracts honor service commitments by the enlisted and officers, but others need to be monitored. The Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps each have business relationships with civilian contractors for supplies, including weapons and equipment.

9. Supply Chain Manager

Supply chain managers are responsible for the procurement of equipment and supplies (e.g., food and medicine). Supply chain managers are similar to logistics managers, but there are some differences between the two job titles. These professionals are responsible for sourcing and scheduling supply shipments, using both American and foreign suppliers.

The nature of military installations requires work with international supply chains. Earning a master's degree in supply chain management with an international business concentration will help you prepare for this role.

10. Public Affairs Manager

Public affairs is like the marketing branch of the military. These professionals bridge the gap between civilians and service members. Military MBA holders in this role provide information to civilians about military plans, strategies, and news. The skills learned in business school, like marketing and public relations, are essential to performing this role well.

11. Risk Manager

Risk managers most commonly work in investment banking, but the problem-solving skills associated with risk management are valuable for military service. The military benefits from risk management consulting while developing strategies and missions to weigh the pros and cons of individual actions through the lens of return on investment and other budget concerns.

12. Military Education and Training Coordinator

The military academies run education programs to prepare the next generations of officers in America. MBA holders can teach the skills they learned through their degree program, military service, or work experience to these students to prepare them for leadership in their respective branches.

FAQs About Military Careers for MBA Holders

MBA grads have multiple career paths in the military, but these options aren't always obvious. It's common for MBA holders to have questions about how they can use their degrees and serve their country simultaneously.

Is Military Experience Good for an MBA?

Military experience provides many beneficial skills for an MBA student. Many of the problem-solving and leadership skills required by the top MBA programs can be learned through hands-on experience. The military also provides education benefits, like the GI Bill, that can make paying for your MBA easier.

Is an MBA Worth it for Veterans?

Veterans looking to transition to civilian careers after serving can benefit from an MBA. MBA programs allow veterans to leverage the skills they earned in the service to an advanced degree that can help them find careers in their civilian life.

How Are Military Personnel Viewed for MBA Programs?

Many colleges and universities perform holistic evaluations during the acceptance process. Military service is often viewed favorably in these reviews as a commitment to a larger cause. Additionally, some schools offer priority registration and admission to veterans or active-duty service members.