MOS 68D: Operating Room Specialist
MOS 68D is the Army specialty for Operating Room Specialist. Prepared patients and operating rooms for surgery, assisted the surgical team during procedures, and ran central sterile processing: inspecting, cleaning, assembling and sterilizing the instruments and equipment a treatment facility depends on.
Where 68D experience fits
These civilian roles map closely to what an Army 68D already does:
- Surgical Technologist
- Patient Care Technician (Surgical Services)
- Sterile Processing Technician
- Surgical Assistant (with further certification)
- Endoscopy Technician
What you bring on day one
- Sterile technique and infection control
- Surgical instrument and supply preparation
- Sterilization, inspection and decontamination of equipment
- Preparing patients and rooms for surgery
- Steady teamwork with surgeons and nurses under time pressure
Certifications to consider
- NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST)
- HSPA Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
- HSPA Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER)
- NHA Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A)
- NBSTSA Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA), with further training
Industries hiring 68D talent
Federal & Government Contractors
Government agencies and the contractors that serve them value people who understand the mission, the standards, and the…
Explore roles →Supply Chain & Logistics
The U.S. military runs the largest, most complex logistics operation on earth. Veterans from its supply and…
Explore roles →Resume keywords for 68D: surgical technologist, sterile processing, operating room, surgical instrumentation, infection control. Add the ones that fit your experience so applicant-tracking systems surface your resume.
Credential requirements: As of September 2026, NBSTSA, which awards the CST, lists graduates of accredited surgical technology programs and graduates of military programs as separate eligibility routes. Confirm which route your training meets before you apply.
LockLeed roles in fields 68D veterans move into
Live openings from our job board in the civilian fields listed above. These are real reqs. Not every one will fit your experience, and applying is always free.
68D veterans we can introduce you to
Hiring managers: these are people we have already interviewed and verified, available now. Veterans: this is what a finished 68D profile looks like to an employer.
68D to Civilian FAQ
What civilian jobs can a 68D (Operating Room Specialist) do?
Common fits include Surgical Technologist, Patient Care Technician (Surgical Services), Sterile Processing Technician, Surgical Assistant (with further certification), and Endoscopy Technician. The right match depends on your specialty, leadership level, and interests.
Do I need a degree to use my 68D experience?
Often no. Many of these roles value hands-on experience and certifications over a degree. Where a credential helps, we point you to the fastest path.
How do I put 68D on a civilian resume?
Translate duties into civilian terms and lead with outcomes and numbers. Our free Resume Studio and MOS Translator do this for you in minutes.
Does LockLeed charge veterans?
Never. LockLeed is a veteran-owned staffing firm; our help is always free for job-seeking veterans.
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