When I first transitioned from the military to federal contracting, I kept hearing the same advice:

“Get certified—it’ll open doors.”

It’s good advice… kind of. Because while certifications can definitely boost your resume, not all carry the same weight—especially in government contracts.

So let’s talk about what I’ve learned:

• Which certifications matter
• How to choose the right ones for your role
• And how to make sure they help, not just hang on the wall

 

🧰 Why Certifications Matter in Contracting

In the world of federal contracts, certifications serve three key purposes:

1. Qualification: Some contracts require certain certifications for you to legally or officially perform a role. (Think OSHA, HAZMAT, or DoD IT roles.)
2. Credibility: Certifications show your team, your government customer, and your company that you know your stuff.
3. Career mobility: When contracts end, certifications help you pivot faster—whether to a new billet, a new program, or a new company.

Bottom line? Certifications are currency. And the more strategic you are about them, the more valuable that currency becomes.

 

📋 Which Certifications Actually Help?

Here’s a breakdown by category—based on what I’ve seen first-hand in defense-related contractor roles:

 

🔧 Technical & Trade Certifications (Ordnance, Inventory, Safety)

These are essential if you’re hands-on with systems, equipment, or logistics.

• AMMO-18-DL / AMMO-49-DL (Naval Explosives Safety)
  Required and respected for anyone handling munitions or supporting ordnance projects.
• OSHA Certifications
  Especially relevant for HAZMAT custodians, inventory techs, or anyone working around potentially dangerous materials.
• Forklift & Material Handling
  May seem minor, but this shows you’re authorized and trained for real-world logistics tasks.

✅ These are often required to stay on the job—no certification, no access.

 

💻 Cybersecurity & IT (Growing Importance)

If you’re anywhere near systems, data, or defense networks, these are gold:

• CompTIA Security+
  Required for many DoD 8570/8140 roles. Recognized across all branches and agencies.
• Google Cybersecurity Certificate / Google IT Support
  Great for building foundational skills. Not DoD-compliant yet—but a good start if you’re pivoting into tech.
• CISSP / CEH / Network+
  More advanced, but highly respected in cybersecurity contracting roles.

⚠️ These aren’t needed for all jobs—but they open doors to higher-paying, more technical billets.

 

🧭 Project & Program Management

As you move up or into more planning-based roles, these matter:

• Google Project Management Certificate
  Solid introduction for newer professionals. Shows you understand planning, execution, and Agile basics.
• PMP (Project Management Professional)
  The gold standard. Especially valuable for program leads, site managers, or logistics planners.
• Agile / Scrum Master Certifications
  Increasingly important as DoD projects adopt Agile methodology—especially in software, systems, and R&D support.

💡 If you ever coordinate people, schedules, or deliverables—these make you more promotable.

 

🧠 General Upskilling & Lifelong Learning

Some certs don’t come with letters after your name, but they still signal value:

• LinkedIn Learning / Coursera / edX Courses
  Topics like leadership, time management, or specialized equipment knowledge
• Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs
  (e.g., SkillBridge, Onward to Opportunity)

These help you stay relevant, even if the course isn’t formally required by your contract.

🎣 In my case, I enjoy building—both at work and at home. Learning new tools, systems, and safety practices helps in both places.

 

🧠 How to Choose the Right Certs

Ask yourself these questions:

• ❓ Does the job require it?
• ❓ Will it help me qualify for a different (or better) billet?
• ❓ Does it align with where I want to go—tech, logistics, leadership?
• ❓ Is my company willing to pay for it? (Many will, if you ask.)

Then make a short list. Prioritize the ones that add immediate and long-term value. Don’t get 10 certifications you’ll never use. Get 2–3 that make you indispensable.

 

📈 How to Get the Most Out of a Certification

Getting the cert is just the first step. Here’s how to maximize it:

• 📄 Add it to your resume and LinkedIn immediately
• 🗣️ Let your manager or PM know you’re certified—it could lead to new responsibilities
• 🧪 Use your new skills on the job (don’t just file the cert away)
• 💬 Offer to mentor others who are studying for it
• 🔁 Revisit and refresh when needed—some certs expire

 

Final Thoughts

In federal contracting, certifications don’t guarantee success—but they unlock it. They show initiative, competence, and professionalism. They help you pivot between contracts, rise within your company, and build a career that evolves with you.

I’m not just a believer in certifications—I’m a product of them. And I’m constantly on the lookout for the next one that will make me better at what I do.

Because in this line of work, learning never stops.