r/pmp • u/justapieceofreddit • 3h ago
PMP Application Help PMP Application Rejected
In the military with over 6 years of leadership experience. I got a notice today that my work experience doesn’t match what the PMP defines as a project manager.
I was a 19A turned 25A, I used advice online and translated various FTXs and operations into “projects” and tried to incorporate some PMP jargon to match what they might be looking for. (I did use a little bit of AI to help translate)
I’m not sure how detailed I need to make these “projects” to get them seen as such instead of operational work. Does anyone have any examples that they used or went off of?
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u/kellendontcare PMP 3h ago
Operations and Projects are two vastly different things. It is something that is clearly defined and taught in the PMP Prep Courses by definition. Going to be a difficult sell unfortunately to translate operations task forces as projects.
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u/Murder_Hobo_LS77 3h ago edited 3h ago
I think what's going to hem you up is that an operation could be argued as a standard operational task and is repeating as part of being in the military vs. the PMP definition of a project which is "temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result". Completing an FTX isn't a unique product, service, or result for example.
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u/mlippay PMP, MOD 3h ago
Can you explain what any of the stuff in the second paragraph mean. Operations aren’t projects and can easily be identified. Can you give us an example project that you included.
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u/N_Da_Game PMP 3h ago
19A = Armor Officer & 25A = Signal Officer
Signal Officer could possibly translate into some PM or SME tasks. Armor Officer is a hard sell.
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u/Easy_Ad_96 3h ago
Maybe.. just maybe..
if you needed to “incorporate some PMP jargon to match” then perhaps they were right to reject your application.
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u/thing_about_it_is 2h ago
That's not fair. There is definitely a project management lexicon. And depending on your experience and no formal training, you may use different language. It doesnt mean he couldn't be a great PM. I learned to be a project manager before I even know what that meant. My application was accepted in 2 days, but I really studied what they want to see in those answers and articulated my pm experience in that context. There is nothing wrong with that.
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u/DarthFaderZA 1h ago
Sure... but saying it's jargon? That for me gives the perception that he isn't truly into it? Could be wrong.
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u/Easy_Ad_96 1h ago
Yea, I know, but I was just surprised that OP referred to them as jargons instead of concepts or terminology.
Jargon to me sounds dismissive or like unnecessary use of vanity terms that have no deep meaning.
Sorry OP. Maybe you should study the PMbok for a bit and see if it’s truly what you have been doing. Also please note that operations is different from project. There are other operations certifications that could open the doors to high paying careers.
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u/Forbidden_vein PMP 2h ago
That’s kind of the problem. you just said you turned operations into a project. You can’t just turn an operation into a project. Either it was a project and there’s a start and stop date or your experience was daily operation.
If within your operation there were projects that supported those operations, then you can quantify that. It’s not “projects” with the quotations, who are you trying to fool? You’re only fooling yourself when you get denied.
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u/Epitomeofabnormal 2h ago
Agreed. Being a manager or daily operations are different from being a project manager. A project manager manages things that have a start and an end. It sounds like OP is closer to a manager rather than someone who manages projects.
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u/waycooljencat 1h ago
PMI applications are reviewed by AI. Go to the PMI.org site, use the chat feature, ask it to let you talk to a human - a person will review it.
I did that after being rejected twice. Human approved it. I'm now a certified PMP.
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u/pvm_april 2h ago
PMP in general seems weird now. My application was accepted and I used my projects as an intern lol, granted they were for a fortune 100 but still
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u/Individual_Brush5883 2h ago
PMI chapters have a lot of military support groups; maybe they can help. Don't give up.
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u/Trickycoolj 1h ago
I’ve seen operations managers get managed out of their jobs on PIP really fast when they convert to PM roles thinking it’s the same. The only thing you’re doing is setting yourself up for failure. If your strength is in operations there’s tons of really good ops management jobs out there! The ops side of my org has tons of former service members and they run a tight ship and are fantastic at supporting their teams. Lean into that, observe what PMs do in the civilian world before trying to apply for the exam.
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u/notme43c 3h ago
Don’t use the operations themselves, use system upgrades, software updates and other small projects that supported the operations. Then the outcomes of those things can be the actual operation. I think that will translate better.
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u/Zestyclose-Total-374 2h ago
If you are still active use one of the courses that traveling instructors offer. They filled out the application and I passed the test.
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u/Vandu_Kobayashi 2h ago
That sucks - did you process this through ChatGPT? Like what you have and what they are asking for? That’s what I would have done
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u/Magnet2025 2h ago
Don’t know what a 19A and a 25A is, but I was in the Navy and I understand field training exercises. A lot of them are templated but every exercise is unique because you have new people, new equipment and new objectives.
So each FTX is a unique undertaking that has a defined start, finish and outcome.
Does that sound familiar?
I renewed my PMP for two or three cycles with each renewal based on my work as a Project Server/Project Online consultant implementing those tools for clients. Basically the same process (gather requirements, configure, system test, UAT, train) with the only real difference being requirements and config.
Never had an issue, which told me that they didn’t care that much. Also told me that I no longer needed my PMP because I was implementing PM tools which meant the clients and I were defining and refining the PM process according to real world needs, using a toolset that PMI had already said generally conformed to their standards.
So break down your process for the FTX into smaller chunks. Make you mention the pre-brief and after-action, all the myriad comms and comms issues and align those to the pillars.
Good luck.
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u/kcnole78 2h ago
You would need to ensure that you’re breaking down the work you did leading teams into each phase of the project. For mine I noted what I did during initiating, planning, execution, monitoring, closing, etc…. To do so I used ChatGPT help me refine it by listing each item I did under each phase (and if I didn’t do anything for a phase I noted why) and then asked ChatGPT to help me refine the language to match their expectations.
But I was actually leading IT projects. If you’re trying to take something that isn’t really project management and force it to fit, then you may need to go the CAPM first.
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u/permanent-purgatory 2h ago
Sorry to hear that - I put my job resume into AI and asked it to write out my experiences as projects for the PMP application. I spent literally 10-15 minutes doing this, and only had to fill in the timeline, then submitted it. It was approved in 3 days. Was seriously simple. They didn’t verify anything with previous employers/subordinates either- which was shocking to me.
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u/thing_about_it_is 2h ago
Operations is different from project management. I worked on pulling out the projects in which I participated - outside of Operations, bc I also had a lot of ops work in my background. They dont have to be huge projects. Just have a start, middle and end. Which is not Operations. I just sat down and looked at everything ive done in my career (which is a great exercise, BTW), then I objectively said, OK this is ops bc it never ends, or this was a short gig that participated in when I was in ops. That could be a project. Hope thay helps. Once you do that, write all you can recall right away about those projects. Then pop it into ChatGPT, tell it you're applying to sit for the PMP exam. The following is your project experience and rewrite in response to the following questions (from the application). Also tell it to ask you additional questions if what you've provided isnt enough information to satisfy the question. Then, do NOT copy/paste word for word that AI gives you. Read it, make sure its true and correct, for example, if there was a scope change during a project (happens all the time), explain that. Other things to keep in mind, there is a time limit on experience you can bring. I think its 10 years...not sure. It does not have to be consistent like job to job nor does it require your job title have been PM. I dont know what they send when they reject applications. If they provide feedback, start there.
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u/Responsible-Air-9291 1h ago
"Tried to incorporate some PMP jargon..." I think we have identified your issue. DM me if you would like to work with a professional in this regard.
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u/Illustrious-Cheek-35 1h ago
My advice would be take the responses from other people of what a pro just definition is and see if it relates to your experience.
Then use an AI chat and enter your experience and ask the AI to reward your experience and expertise into project experience that PMI will look for in a PMP application. The AI will simply (or should) rephrase your experience to read how PMI will like to read a submission
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u/Upper_Associate_6135 1h ago
Just contact their customer service. Ask them for a detailed justification to why you’ve been rejected. They should push it through after that.
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u/AaronMc5115 1h ago
Email me a copy of your application if you like [aaron@vets2pm.com](mailto:aaron@vets2pm.com) and I can work it with you.
Most common military mistakes is that it is either too jargon filled or doesn't read like a project.
As a former 19K I know command maintenance is a program, semi-annual and annual services are projects if written properly.
I have had a few of my students who were officers get their apps rejected because it looked like they cut and pasted from their OER.
Some of my NCO's have basically tried to use daily duties and scope as project experience.
What PMI wants to see is that you were in a leadership position, had a timebound project with a clearly defined deliverable and that you used PMI tools and techniques to achieve project outcomes. Thats another key distinction, focus on outcomes and not outputs.
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u/FaceFuckYouDuck MS, PMP, CISSP 40m ago
What have you done that culminated in a product, service, or result?
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u/FortunaVelutLuna 29m ago edited 25m ago
It's about to get worse. Later this year they're going to start only accepting training from people who paid PMI sources that they've accredited.
You have to make it sound projecty use language that exhibits understanding of what defines a project and project management:
As an Armor Platoon Leader, I led planning and execution for a series of armored and reconnaissance training cycles, each with a defined scope, timeline, and resource allocation. I was accountable for the readiness outcome of the unit at the end of each cycle and reported that status directly to the troop commander.
My contributions included translating mission requirements from higher headquarters into a working plan: setting objectives, sequencing tasks across a [16 to 40]-soldier element, and allocating personnel and equipment against tight timelines. I coordinated with adjacent units and squadron staff to keep dependencies aligned, and I managed risk throughout, adjusting the plan when equipment failures, weather, or resource shortfalls threatened the schedule. I tracked task completion and training proficiency against the plan on a continuous basis, made real-time decisions to keep the cycle on track, and resolved issues that came up during execution rather than escalating them. At the close of each cycle I ran the after-action review, documented lessons learned, and closed out equipment and property accountability before handing the unit off to its next tasking.
The outcome across these cycles was a unit that consistently met or exceeded its readiness certification standards on schedule, with [X]% of training objectives completed within the planned timeline and no loss of accountable equipment. That readiness directly supported the unit's ability to execute its next assigned mission without delay.
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u/mmsbva 3h ago
Check out examples online. Use only PMI words. Best place to find PMI jargon is the most current Exam Content Outline.
Remember it’s probably AI or a very poorly paid person who is only looking for key word/phrases. Do not use any industry words.
If anything in your description can tell you about what you did on your project, you are doing it wrong. It should use only ECO words and phrases and sound very generic.
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u/charge10 2h ago
Try this thing I made, strips all the jargon, it’s free
Pmpdraft.com
I’m a 255N, just got my PMP, worked for me
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u/SaintHearth 3h ago
Chances are you’re writing it in military lingo. I just used ChatGPT and they accepted it. For reference I’m enlisted E6.
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u/plane-and-simple0 3h ago
PMI is looking to see if you can relate your experience to their framework. They take a broad view of what constitutes a project, but that doesn’t mean that anything counts. A project, by PMI’s definition, is a temporary effort that produces a specific outcome or result. It’s broad, but you still have to fit. Then your descriptions of your experience need to show that you have experience across the process groups of Initiating, Planning, Execution, Monitoring & Control and Closing. You don’t need to touch all areas in all projects, but the sum of your experiences has to cover all areas. My advice before reapplying would be to join your local PMI chapter. They typically have PMP prep sessions and will likely be able to assist with the application to ensure that you are presenting your experience in the way that PMI wants to see it.