It's important to understand a few key aspects about Veterans' Preference:
- Not every veteran is eligible: To be eligible for Veterans' Preference, you must have served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and been separated under honorable conditions (honorable or general discharge). Some military retirees at or above the rank of major, lieutenant commander, or higher may not be eligible unless they are also disabled veterans.
- Types of Preference: There are three main types of preference:
- Disabled (10-point preference eligible): This applies to veterans with a service-connected disability or who received a Purple Heart.
- Non-disabled (5-point preference eligible): This is for veterans who meet specific active duty service requirements (e.g., served during a war, during certain time periods, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal was authorized).
- Sole Survivorship (0-point preference eligible): This applies to individuals who are the only surviving child in a family where a parent or sibling served in the armed forces and was killed or permanently disabled, subject to specific conditions.
- How it's applied: Veterans' preference is typically applied in the competitive hiring process where agencies use a numerical rating and ranking system or a category rating system:
- Numerical Rating: Eligible veterans receive additional points (5 or 10) added to their passing score, potentially placing them higher on a list of eligible candidates.
- Category Rating: Veterans with a service-connected disability of 10% or more are typically placed at the top of the highest category of qualified applicants (with some exceptions). Other preference-eligible veterans are placed ahead of non-preference eligibles within their respective categories.
- It doesn't guarantee a job: While it provides an advantage in the hiring process, Veterans' Preference does not guarantee federal employment. Agencies still need to ensure that the veteran is qualified for the position.
- Special Hiring Authorities: In addition to Veterans' Preference, there are special hiring authorities for veterans that allow them to be hired non-competitively, such as the Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) and the 30% or More Disabled Veteran authority. These programs can offer alternative pathways to federal employment.
To claim Veterans' Preference, you will generally need to provide supporting documentation such as your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), and potentially a Standard Form (SF) 15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference) or other relevant documentation.
