Veterans Preference Essay

There are many people not only from our country that have served in the United States military, that eventually conclude their term to be released from the armed forces to then be considered a veteran. Those that have served and even though considered a veteran for serving in the military can only receive a veterans’ preference based on their dates of active duty service, and if they are discharged under an honorable or general discharge. Some would think that this preference is given to any who have served but then again for those that do not meet the qualifications they are not given the privilege. The veterans’ preference is remarkable to have since its benefit after serving to assist in finding a job after being separated from the military
is a great opportunity. After serving those that qualify and are eligible are given a veterans’ preference in appointment over many other applicants. “They are provided preference in initial hiring and protection in reductions in force. Claims of violation of these rights are investigated by the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS).” The veterans’ preference applies, to virtually all new appointments in both the competitive and excepted service. However, one must always remember veterans’ preference does not guarantee veterans a job, and it does not apply to internal agency actions such as promotions, transfers, reassignments and reinstatements.
On the other hand, even though it’s just assisting a veteran in getting their foot in the door in finding them a job and leading them in the right direction amongst the rest of society when searching for a job it has supported many veterans. According to Feds Hire Vets, “if you are a retired member of the armed forces you are not included in the definition of preference eligible unless you are a disabled veteran or you retired below the rank of major or its equivalent.” The benefits of this law are to assist in not finding a job but to be placed on a scale of three types of preference eligibles, and put on the scale in front of other applicants due to how many points you are categorized in. There is a disabled (10 point preference eligible), non-disabled (5 point preference eligible) and sole survivorship preference (0 point preference eligible). Listed under the three types when researched there are different ways one can meet these qualifications that a veteran should definitely become familiar with because I am sure there are many that are not aware of the qualifications listed on the websites such as Feds hire Vets. These points can be used in agencies when a numerical rating and ranking system is used to determine who is best qualified for the job which benefits veterans by 5 or 10 points to be added to their numerical score.
The Armed Forces, Congress set up this law to avoid veterans seeking employment from being penalized due to their time spent in the military service that could render their chances against others that have more experience in that certain job field. By law, veterans that are disabled or who have served during the specified periods are generally entitled to the preference over non-veterans in the employment process. According to veterans’ services, vet guide, “veterans’ preference recognizes the economic loss suffered by citizens who have served their country in uniform, restores veterans to a favorable competitive position for Government employment, and acknowledges the larger obligation owed to disabled veterans.” Human Resource has been aware of this law since the Veterans’ Preference Act of 1944 and continues to be used today in appointments to Federal jobs. Veterans' preference does not require an agency to use any particular appointment process. There are many ways agencies seek to hire from an agency-developed merit promotion list or it may reassign a current employee, transfer an employee from another agency, or reinstate a former Federal employee. In the end agencies such as HR department in the hiring agency are always looking to hire the best candidate, it just so happens when examining future employees with a veterans’ preference they must also consider the preference and include possible points to give priority if they meet the requirements. A perfect example I found in Employment & Recruitment Services shows exactly the process, “Florida State University honors this policy and departments must comply with Veterans’ Preference guidelines when filling positions.
The law is taken very seriously, according to the 2016 Florida Statutes, Chapter 295 it specifically list, “The state and its political subdivisions shall give preference in appointment and retention in positions of employment to: Those disabled veterans, The spouse of a person who has a total disability, permanent in nature, resulting from a service-connected disability and who, because of this disability, cannot qualify for employment, etc.” Those are only naming a few but this is evidence of how the states actually follow these guidelines in assisting veterans when seeking a federal job that have a veterans’ preference.
I am sure many of my fellow classmates can relate since there are several that come from a military back ground and at some point will transition over to the civilian work force. Even though there is only specific dates at this time to meet the criteria of having the preference I am sure there will be amendments made to the established law to further assist our current and future service men and
women.
As the Department of Labor (DOL) has administered over 180 federal laws, the veterans’ preference has been used by many in the workplace to assist in receiving a job based off their preference points amongst other applicants.
Although there are many job seekers and the competition between others looking for a job can be very competitive the veterans’ preference can be very beneficial for those veterans freshly new to the civilian work force. After becoming more familiar with the point preference categories, I am very aware that after serving my country during specific dates listed to qualify I am a 5 point preference eligible that I am very proud to be categorized
as.