Military Pay Grade, Position, and Degree Equivalency
Use this guide to understand how your military experience can translate to civilian roles and meet the educational requirements for positions at Austin Peay State University.
Military Pay Grade to Degree Equivalency
Most university staff positions that require a degree will be open to veteran job applicants with equivalent pay grades. Please note that an exception applies to required professional degrees mandated by law or accreditation standards (e.g., law degree, Ph.D. for teaching, etc.).
The following pay grades are accepted as an alternative to the degree required for application to a position:
| Degree | Equivalent Pay Grade |
|---|---|
| Associate | E-4 or higher |
| Bachelor's | E-6, WO-1, O-1, or higher |
| Master's | E-7, WO-3, O-4, or higher |
| Doctorate | WO-5, O-7, or higher |
E = Enlisted, WO = Warrant Officer, O = Commissioned Officer
If an equivalency is not listed in a job posting, please email HumanResources@apsu.edu for more information.
Enlisted Grade to Civilian Position Comparison
Executive Positions (Top-Level Management)
Top-level managers are responsible for the overall direction and success of an organization. They set goals, develop strategies, and make major decisions.
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E-9: Assistant Vice President, Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer
Directors and Senior Managers (Mid-Level Management)
Mid-level managers implement the strategies set by top management and supervise lower-level managers. They meet departmental goals and facilitate communication between top and lower levels.
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E-7 & E-8: Director of Operations, General Manager, Senior Manager, Program Manager, Regional Manager, Project Manager
Front-Line Managers and Supervisors (Low-Level Management)
Low-level managers oversee the day-to-day activities of employees. They directly manage and support staff to ensure tasks are completed effectively.
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E-5 & E-6: Section Manager, Shift Manager, Assistant Manager, Foreman, Supervisor, Team Leader
Employees (Employee-Level Positions)
Employee-level duties and job titles vary widely but generally fall into several broad categories.
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E-4: Specialized Positions
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E-3: Intermediate Positions
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E-1 - E-2: Entry-Level Positions
Officer Grade to Civilian Position Comparison
Executive Positions (Top-Level Management)
Executive-level management includes the highest-ranking roles responsible for strategic decision-making and overall leadership. These roles can be categorized based on their primary functions and areas of oversight.
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O-7 to O-10, W-5: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, and other C-suite/executive roles.
Directors and Senior Managers (Mid-Level Management)
Middle managers ensure that the strategies set by top management are implemented effectively and that operations run smoothly. They also provide essential feedback and insights from front-line employees to executive management, helping to shape strategic decisions.
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O-4 to O-6, W-4, W-3: Director, General Manager, Regional Manager, Department Manager, Operations Manager, Branch Manager, Project Manager, Product Manager, Marketing Manager, Human Resources Manager, Financial Manager, Senior Manager.
Front-Line Managers and Supervisors (Low-Level Management)
Front-line managers are responsible for directly overseeing the day-to-day activities of employees. They provide guidance, support, and immediate supervision.
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O-1 to O-3, W-2, W-1: Section Manager, Shift Manager, Service Manager, Floor Manager, Office Manager, Team Leader, Supervisor
Duty Position to Management Level Comparison
This section provides examples of military duty positions and their corresponding civilian management level.
Top-Level Management
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Division- / Garrison-Level or higher positions, such as Command Sergeant Major, Executive Officer, Commander, Program Managers, Section Managers, and Sergeant Major / Major Positions
Mid-Level Management
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Battalion- / Brigade-Level positions, such as Program Managers, Section Managers, Sergeant Major Positions, Major Positions, Commander, Executive Officer, and Command Segeant Major.
Low-Level Management
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Company-Level positions, such as Squad Leader, Team Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Leader, First Sergeant, Executive Officer, and Company Commander.
Common Military Terminology
| Military Term | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| TDY/TAD | Business Travel |
| PCS | Relocation |
| NCOER/OER | Performance Evaluations |
| MOS/MOC | Career Field, Job |
| Commanded | Supervised, Managed, Directed |
| Brigade, Battalion, Unit, Platoon | Organization, Agency, Department |
| Mission | Objective, Task, Responsibility |
| Combat/War | Hazardous conditions, Conflict |
| Headquarters | Headquarters, Corporate Office |
| Subordinates | Employees |
| Service Members | Employees, personnel, Individuals |
| S-1/MILPO | Department of Human Resources |
| S-3 | Operations Department |
| S-4 | Office of Logistics Management |
| S-6 | Department of Information Technology |