Translating your Defence experience for a civilian audience
One of the less obvious challenges of leaving Defence is language.
Every workplace develops its own terminology, acronyms, conventions and ways of communicating. Defence is no different.
After years of working within that environment, it’s easy to assume that the way you describe a responsibility, achievement or project will mean the same thing to someone outside it.
Often, it doesn’t.
The capability is still there. The audience has changed.
Start with your reader
Clear communication begins by considering what your audience already knows.
A civilian recruiter may not understand an acronym that was part of your everyday vocabulary. A new manager may not recognise the scale of responsibility associated with a particular Defence role. A client may need an outcome explained differently from a commanding officer.
Plain language isn’t about making your experience sound less sophisticated.
It’s about making its value easier for someone else to understand.
That means replacing unnecessary jargon, explaining unfamiliar concepts and putting the information your reader needs first.
Translate, don’t diminish
Consider the difference between describing what Defence calls something and explaining what you actually did.
Instead of relying on a title or acronym, describe the capability behind it.
Did you lead people? Manage risk? Coordinate complex projects? Work with sensitive information? Analyse data? Manage stakeholders? Deliver outcomes under strict deadlines?
Those descriptions can help people outside Defence recognise the relevance of your experience.
The same principle applies once you’re in a civilian workplace.
Emails, reports, briefs, proposals and presentations are most effective when they’re written for the person receiving them rather than the person producing them.
AI can help — but clarity still matters
AI tools can increasingly support drafting, editing and rewriting. Plain English Foundation’s existing work includes practical AI training, AI governance and improving AI-related policies and documents.
But a tool still needs direction.
Knowing your purpose, understanding your audience and recognising what information matters are human communication skills. They help you judge whether an AI-generated response is clear, accurate and appropriate.
As you transition from Defence, learning to adapt your communication can help others see something you already know:
Your experience has value. Make sure your words make that clear.
Plain English Foundation helps people and organisations communicate clearly, effectively and with their audience in mind.
