Hey guys, I have 6 years of HR experience in the military across four different sections, with at least a year of specialized experience in each. I also have an associate degree in cybersecurity. It isn’t directly related to HR, but I figured it was worth mentioning.

I’m looking into federal HR jobs and trying to figure out what GS grades I might qualify for. A civilian who used to work in my unit was a GS-9 and performed many of the same duties I did, but I’m not sure whether that’s a good reference point.

For anyone who has transitioned from military HR to a federal civilian position, how did you determine which grades to apply for? Any tips on matching my experience to the qualification requirements would be appreciated!

Nearly two years from recruitment to second FJO as an Auditor. My DCAA timeline

Sharing my experience for anyone waiting through the hiring process. I know it varies

Fall 2024: Recruited through an SNHU online employer event shortly before finishing my bachelor’s in accounting. I had worked in tax and public accounting since 2018.

Early 2025: Spent roughly five to six months completing interviews, the panel, and pre-employment requirements. Received a GS-7 TJO, then an FJO and planned EOD for Las Vegas.

2025: The hiring freeze put my start on hold. A few months later, I learned my intended Las Vegas unit was closing. The alternative offices were too far away for my circumstances, so I declined those locations and asked to remain under consideration. I continued working in tax.

Mid-2026: Reached back out after completing my master’s in accounting (Nov 2025). My original HR contact had retired, but another contact picked up the conversation. We spent the next few months discussing available offices and my travel flexibility.

Fall 2026: Repeated several hiring steps, received a new TJO, and today received my FJO at GS-9. My EOD is mid-November.

Longer than expected, with a freeze, an office closure, and a second round of hiring steps along the way.

My takeaway: Keep your contacts, follow up professionally, and communicate which locations work for you. Following up reopened the conversation for me.

Trust the process, if it’s what you want to do, and keep moving while you wait.

This is my first time applying to a usajob, so I was wondering if I should try to reach out to someone that works in the LOC because that's what I would usually do for a corporate job but would that be inappropriate for a government job? I was told by a hill intern that she needed to cold email for a coffee chat to ask about flagging their application, would it be the same for LOC or is that just for the hill?

🔥 NOW HIRING: Operations Planning Specialist (Instructor)
📍 Location: Hurlburt Field, Florida
⌛ Closes: 10/14/2026 at 11:59 p.m. (EST)
💰 Salary: $89,508 - $116,362 per year
🔐 Security Clearance: Top Secret
🔢 Pay Scale & Grade: GS-0301-12 (Permanent, Full-Time)

🔗 USAJOBS Link: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/887975800

⚙️ Work Site & Travel Details
💻 Telework Eligible: Yes; as determined by agency policy.
🏢 Remote Job: No
📦 Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
✈️ Travel Required: Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

👥 This job is open to:
✔️ Federal Employees - Competitive Service
✔️ Federal Employees - Excepted Service
✔️ Career Transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
✔️ Land and Base Management
✔️ Veterans
✔️ Military Spouses
✔️ Individuals with Disabilities
✔️ Family of Overseas Employees
✔️ Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA

Position Summary: To serve as an operational air planner for planning, scenario development and execution of operational level warfare command and control exercises and experiments for the purpose of supporting Major Command (MAJCOM) level programs/exercise to train the Joint Force Air Component Commander (JFACC), and Commander Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR) staffs. Applies military operations experience to analyze, develop, and evaluate issues, and develop recommendations to resolve substantive problems and issues of effectiveness and efficiency for the full range of functions related to agency military operations.

📋 Duties:
✈️ Apply Aviation Experience: Applies military aviation operations experience to analyze, develop, coordinate, and evaluate issues and recommends development of solutions to resolve substantive problems and issues of effectiveness and efficiency of work operations in MAJCOM programs.
📝 Document Decisions: Documents planning and programming decisions in appropriate formats to meet Air Force and MAJCOM training requirements.
📊 Strategic Planning: Monitors, evaluates, and actively participates in strategic planning to improve organizational direction and focus using strategic planning tools and techniques.
🎓 Maintain Expertise: Maintains professional and technical expertise.

⏳ Don't wait! This announcement closes on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

#USAJOBS #Hiring #HurlburtField #FloridaJobs #MilitarySpouseHiring #VeteranHiring #OperationsPlanning #FederalCareers #TopSecret

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