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Veterans Preference Guide

Since the Civil War, veterans of the Armed Forces have been given some degree of preference in appointments to Federal jobs. Recognizing their sacrifice, Congress enacted laws to prevent veterans seeking Federal employment from being penalized for their time in military service. Veterans’ preference recognizes the economic loss suffered by citizens who have served their country in uniform, restores veterans to a favorable position for Government employment, and acknowledges the larger obligation owed to disabled veterans.

Veterans’ preference is not so much a reward for being in uniform as it is a way to help make up for the economic loss suffered by those who answered the nation’s call to arms. Historically, preference has been reserved by Congress for those who were either disabled or who served in combat areas. Eligible veterans receive many advantages in Federal employment, including preference for initial employment and a higher retention standing in the event of layoffs. However, the veterans’ preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job, nor do they give veterans preference in internal agency actions such as promotion, transfer, reassignment, and reinstatement.

If you are a Veteran you have a couple of different tools that can give you an edge in getting a civil service (Federal) job: the Preference Points and Veteran’s Recruitment Appointment rule. The following is a summary of these tools and how they can help:

== Preference Points Overview ==

== General Requirements for Preference ==

== Types of Preference ==

== How it Works ==

== Filing Applications After Examinations Have Closed ==

== Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) ==

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