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Sergeant skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted expert

Jill Myers

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical sergeant skills. We ranked the top skills for sergeants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 15.6% of sergeant resumes contained safety procedures as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a sergeant needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 sergeant skills for your resume and career

1. Safety Procedures

Safety procedures are a set of standardized procedures, that ensures minimal to no risk to people, resources, and the work environment. A company follows the step-by-step safety procedures as it they not only keep the customers and the employees safe, but also help in avoiding legal claims.

Here's how sergeants use safety procedures:

Performed operational and preventive checks as well as inspections according to pertinent technical manuals, directives and safety procedures.
Implemented security and safety procedures and developed a composite risk management matrix to ensure organizational safety.

2. Patrol

Here's how sergeants use patrol:

Patrol Supervisor, Port Authority Bus Terminal Supervision and coordination of all uniformed patrols and investigations including plainclothes activities and operations
Orchestrated operations for uniformed patrol units with full responsibility over a 353 square-mile geographic area and 20 patrol districts.

3. Direct Supervision

Direct supervision is a term used to indicate that a person is supervising a certain task or a certain person while being physically present or in close proximity. It refers to the presence of a person and the availability of their supervision in something if it is needed.

Here's how sergeants use direct supervision:

Provided direct supervision and responsible for field level implementation of health, safety and environmental policies, procedures and guidelines.
Provided direct supervision to structural specialists and persons performing duties as combat engineering and demolition.

4. Emergency Situations

Here's how sergeants use emergency situations:

Administer fortifications construction, issue of ammunition, and weapons emplacement and manage team during emergency situations/infantry dismounted battle drills.
Responded and managed emergency situations in the mental health unit, emergency department, interior and exterior perimeters.

5. Combat

Combat is a violent conflict between two parties. Combat can be held by using weapons or unarmed. The fighting between the armed forces of different countries can also be called combat and the main purpose of the combat is to eliminate and stop your opponent from achieving their goal.

Here's how sergeants use combat:

Trained team in Joint Service responsibilities resulting in lower supervision and greater proficiency in preparation of deployment into a combat zone.
Supervised maintenance and upkeep of military combat tactical track and wheeled vehicles to include both mechanical and electronic systems.

6. CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is a medical procedure that involves chest compression to help a patient breathe. This artificial ventilation helps in keeping the brain function in place and regulates blood throughout the body. CPR is a lifesaving procedure that is used in emergencies.

Here's how sergeants use cpr:

Completed CPR instruction for all security and management personnel.
Obtained certificate regarding emergency medical care and CPR.

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7. Weapons Systems

Here's how sergeants use weapons systems:

Trained in cultural communications, military organization, handling security priorities in tactical situations, map-reading, reconnaissance and weapons systems.
Worked closely with engineers to develop system functional check procedures and structural repair guidelines on all assigned weapons systems.

8. Law Enforcement Agencies

Here's how sergeants use law enforcement agencies:

Facilitated and promoted adherence to organizational policies; to include those standards involving The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Liaised with Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration, state and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance of airport safety protocols.

9. Logistical Support

Here's how sergeants use logistical support:

Provided logistical support and executed a multitude of global shipments without incident, and consistently met all deadlines and shipping requirements.
Requested and ensured appropriate logistical support is available at all times; Developed and implemented training programs for signal personnel.

10. Incident Reports

An Incident Report, in a medical facility such as hospitals and nursing homes, is a type of paperwork filled out immediately after and in the case of an incident of some sort, with the goal of describing the incident and its consequences, as well as the measurements taken after or during the incident, as well as any other information relevant to said incident. Such an incident might be a patient acting out or a patient being injured.

Here's how sergeants use incident reports:

Coordinated and/or conducted criminal and non-criminal investigations; reviewed incident reports for clarity and completeness; maintained confidential records.
Supervised other correctional officers and inmates while also investigated incident reports and any disturbances and executed disciplinary standards.

11. NCO

Here's how sergeants use nco:

Participated in NCO training to effectively track all certifications and maintain readiness levels for all battalion solders.
Combat-deployed NCO experienced in Army Signal Operations and Management, Tactical Civil-Military Operations, U.S.

12. Platoon

Platoon is a smaller group or subdivision of military officers often used for tactical missions. The military unit includes around 50 military officers, all of whom are commanded by a lieutenant. A platoon may include between two to four squads or sections, which may include anywhere from 8 to 14 people per squad.

Here's how sergeants use platoon:

Streamlined the Battalion Service Program and Platoon Training matrix by effectively balancing logistics support and soldier training requirement
Supervised platoon of 20-30 subordinates with the installation and maintenance of communications systems.

13. Security Operations

Here's how sergeants use security operations:

Engaged in Provincial reconstruction, nation-building operations, stability, security operations and local engagements in austere location within Afghanistan.
Managed 55 military policemen in the daily law enforcement/security operations; charged with the protection of base facilities and populace.

14. Disciplinary Actions

Disciplinary actions refer to a corrective measure taken against an employee for unsatisfactory behavior. Many work environments have a tiered system for disciplinary action, where the first warning is verbal and the second is written. Disciplinary action may be given after a weak performance review, a violation of company rules and policies, or a poor customer review.

Here's how sergeants use disciplinary actions:

Prepared investigation reports for high-ranking NYPD executive summarizing my findings that included recommendations for disciplinary actions on founded cases.
Analyzed violations within organizational code of conduct regulations, administered appropriate disciplinary actions for junior personnel.

15. Performance Evaluations

Performance evaluation is a formal and productive process to measure an employee's work and results based on their job responsibilities over a defined period of time and to properly measure an employee's contribution to the workforce and employers and achieve a high level of quality and quantity of work produced. The evaluation also helps employees provide information about deficiencies in job performance and the company's expectations for the future.

Here's how sergeants use performance evaluations:

Prepared, reviewed, and approved performance evaluations for subordinate supervisors and employees; established performance objectives for subordinate supervisors and employees
Conducted annual performance evaluations, issuing commendations for exemplary work and providing written feedback regarding poor performance or violation of policies/procedures.

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What skills help Sergeants find jobs?

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What sergeant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Jill Myers

Director of the School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration

Law Enforcement is a much needed and distinguished profession. Going into the field you need a thorough background in the criminal justice system, state and federal, a working knowledge of the laws and Constitutional dictates, and the ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing. The job requires the ability to not just talk the part, but to critically think and apply the skills learned in the classrooms with real people in real situations. You will need to start the job with the ability to be a hero, to respond to real events on perhaps the worst days of someone's life. The job requires knowledge, ethical conduct, and compassion for everyone, even those who have committed unlawful actions.

Do you want to know more?

List of sergeant skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a sergeant resume and required skills for a sergeant to have include:

Safety Procedures
Patrol
Direct Supervision
Emergency Situations
Combat
CPR
Weapons Systems
Law Enforcement Agencies
Logistical Support
Incident Reports
NCO
Platoon
Security Operations
Disciplinary Actions
Performance Evaluations
Professional Development
Training Programs

Communications Equipment
Hazmat
Preventive Maintenance
Leadership
Physical Fitness
Technical Guidance
PowerPoint
Hazardous Materials
US Army
Terrorism
Personnel Actions
CCTV
E-5
HR
Ribbon
Crime Scenes
Physical Security

MOS
Field Supervision
SGT
Secret Security Clearance
Operational Readiness
DOD
Physical Training
Pepper Spray
Ammunition
Criminal Investigations
Unscheduled Maintenance
Military Equipment
Peacekeeping
Development Course
OIF

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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