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by Natalie Peeterse
npeeterse@armystudyguide.com
Army Study Guide Columnist

Like it or not, computers are a vital part of military life these days. They're used for logistics, planning, intelligence, morale, and even preparing Operational Orders (OPORDs). You can't help but use computers in your duties, regardless of what your duties are. So, the more you know about making computers do what you want, the more efficient you can be in your military job. Likewise, learning your way around computers while you're in the military can make you more competitive as a civilian employee once you leave the military.
Basic Keyboarding a Civilian Career Must
A lot of people go through life without ever going beyond the basic 'hunt-and-peck' method of typing. But you can use a computer a lot faster and more efficiently if you put in some time training yourself in the proper use of the keyboard. You can do this on your own, or you can find a course at your local education center. Or, you could buy an inexpensive typing training program. Any way, you can increase your typing speed, which is essential in some jobs.

Microsoft Office Skills Boost Resumes
Virtually everyone uses Microsoft Office programs--Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint--which help you to be proficient in the common tasks of basic computing, from email to word processing to data handling to graphic presentations. Taking a course, or even pursuing certification in Microsoft Office, can make you the 'go-to' guy for computer skills.

Programming - Take it a Step Further in the Civilian World
Real programming may seem like something for the serious tech-heads, but it's not as difficult as it seems. Most of the recent programming languages are quite similar in the way they work, so learning just one can teach you the techniques necessary to use the rest of them. If you buy a book on, for example, Java programming, you may learn ways of using a computer that most people don't even know exist, and you're building valuable employment skills at the same time.

About the Author
Natalie Peeterse lives in Washington, D.C. She is a freelance writer and teaches on-line courses to soldiers.

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