...
Hiring preferences for federal jobs
Since the time of the Civil War, veterans of the Armed Forces (as defined in 38 USC 101(10)) have been given some degree of preference in appointments to Federal jobs. Recognizing that sacrifices are made by those serving in the Armed Forces, Congress enacted laws to prevent veterans seeking Federal employment from being penalized because of the time spent in the military service.
By law (Title 5 USC, Section 2108), veterans who are disabled or who serve on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over non-veterans both in Federal hiring practices and in retention during reductions in force (RIF).
The Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 1998 (Public Law 105-85) extends Veterans’ Preference to individuals who served on active duty during the Gulf War who are otherwise eligible, and to participants in Operation Joint Endeavor or Operation Joint Guard in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina who were awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM).
Preference does not have as its goal the placement of a veteran in every vacant Federal job; this would be incompatible with the merit principle of public employment. Nor does it apply to promotions or other in-service actions. However, preference does provide a uniform method by which special consideration is given to qualified veterans seeking Federal employment.
Preference applies in hiring from civil service examinations, for most excepted service jobs, and when agencies make temporary appointments or use direct hire and delegated examining authorities from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). OPM’s Vet Guide explains the special rights and privileges that veterans enjoy in Federal civil service employment and the VetsInfo Guide explains how veteran’s preference and the special appointing authorities for veterans operate within the system.
The Department of Labor’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy (OASP) and Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) developed an “expert system” to help veterans receive the preferences to which they are entitled. This system is designed to help veterans determine the type of preference to which they are entitled, the benefits associated with the preference and the steps necessary to file a complaint due to the failure of a Federal agency to provide those benefits.
Reemployment in private employment
Veterans employed in the private sector also have reemployment and other rights. Those are discussed under the “Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Right Act of 1994.”
General information
About 200,000 service members leave active duty annually. VETS works with the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs to ensure that those about to separate are able to successfully transition into the civilian economy. This is accomplished through the provision of special transition counseling and other services.
Veterans’ satisfaction with their transition and subsequent success in the workforce assist DOD’s efforts to recruit and retain an all-volunteer armed force capable of meeting the challenges of an uncertain national security environment, including the ongoing war on terrorism. Public knowledge of the substantive transition assistance veterans receive serves as an incentive to young men and women considering volunteering for military service.
For the more than 1,200,000 Reserve component and National Guard members, VETS ensures that their military service can be performed without harm to their civilian employment via enforcement of USERRA.
Veterans assistance
National Veterans’ Training Institute (NVTI)
The National Veterans’ Training Institute was developed to further develop and enhance the professional skills of veterans’ employment and training service providers throughout the United States. The Institute is the only one of its kind in the United States. Over 30,000 veterans’ employment and training professionals have attended NVTI training.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
This government resource provides information on programs and benefits for veterans and locations of VA facilities worldwide.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E)
This program assists veterans with service-connected disabilities to achieve employment or enhance their ability to function independently at home and in the community.