United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Employment Toolkit
Military Culture

Need to know what 'MOS' or 'drill' means?

As with any large organization, the military has its own set of terms and lingo. Read our Common Terms & Lingo (Handout) to learn some selected terms, acronyms, phrases, and slang terms that may be of use to you.

Members of the color guard aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LLC 19) stand by to parade the colors as the ship arrives in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, for a port visit.

Want to better understand the hierarchy or 'chain of command' in the military and military personnel's regard for authority?

Read our Chain of Command & Authority (Handout).

Want to know what your Veteran employee is referring to when he or she asks about the mission?

The military and its personnel are very mission oriented. Learn more about that orientation by reading our What It Means to be Mission Oriented (Handout).

What are some of the benefits of military service?

Veterans report many benefits and positive changes as a result of their military service. To learn more, read our icon_web Positive Outcomes of Military Service (Handout).

Want to learn more about military culture?

Take this Military Cultural Competence Online Course*.

Need to know what a military term means?

Use the Department of Defense's Dictionary of Military & Associated Terms*.

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*Links will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs web site. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.