USMCFLYR

Many times when there is hiring news for any government related job the question of Veteran's Preference comes up and there are usually questions regarding who rates it, how many points, and the different categories of Vet's Pref.
The following was recently put out by my union and describes the criteria used, by at least the FAA, in applying Veteran's Preference points towards competitive external announcements.

Quote:

Veterans’ Preference
Why Preference is Given

• Veterans' preference in its present form comes from the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944, as amended, and is now codified in various provisions of title 5, United States Code. By law, veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over others in competitive external hiring.

When Preference Applies

• Preference in hiring applies to permanent and temporary positions when external competitive hiring procedures are used.
• To receive preference, a veteran must have been separated from active duty in the Armed Forces with an honorable or general discharge. As defined in 5 U.S.C. 2101(2), "Armed Forces" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The veteran must also be eligible under one of the preference categories below.
• Military retirees at the rank of major, lieutenant commander, or higher are not eligible for preference in appointment unless they are disabled veterans. (This does not apply to Reservists who will not begin drawing military retired pay until age 60).
• For non-disabled users, active duty for training by National Guard or Reserve soldiers does not qualify as "active duty" for preference. For disabled veterans, active duty includes training service in the Reserves or National Guard, per the Merit Systems Protection Board decision in Hesse v. Department of the Army, 104 M.S.P.R. 647(2007). For purposes of these guidelines and 5 U.S.C. 2108, "war" means only those armed conflicts declared by congress as war.
• Eligible veterans should claim preference on their application or resume. Applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF-15), Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, and submit the requested documentation.

Preference Categories
The following preference categories and points are based on 5 U.S.C. 2108 and 3309 as modified by a length of service requirement in 38 U.S.C. 5303A(d). (The letters following each category, e.g., "CPS", "CP", "XP", "TP" are a short reference which will be used by the FAA in competitive external hiring procedures.)
5-point Preference (TP)

• Five points are added to the rating score of a veteran who served:
  • During a war; or
  • During the period April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955; or
  • For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976; or
  • During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992; or
  • In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized.
  • Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, Haiti, and Bosnia qualifies for preference.
  • A Campaign medal holder or Gulf War veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980, (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982, and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty. The 24-month service requirement does not apply to 10-point preference eligibles separated for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or to veterans separated for hardship or other reasons under 10 U.S.C. 11 71 or 1173.

10-Point Compensable Disability Preference (CP)

• Ten points are added to the ranked numerical score of a veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent but less than 30 percent.

10-Point 30 Percent Compensable Disability Preference (CPS)

• Ten points are added to the ranked numerical score of a veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of 30% percent.

10-Point Disability Preference (XP)

• Ten points are added to the ranked numerical score of a veteran who at any time has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the department of Veterans Affairs but does not qualify as a CP or CPS; or a veteran who received a Purple Heart.

10-Point Derived Preference (XP)

• Ten points area added to the numerical score of spouses, widows, widowers, or mothers of veterans. This type of preference is usually referred to a "Derived preference" because it is based on service of a veteran who is not able to use the preference. To receive 10-point preference (XP) the applicant must submit a SF-15 form and provide the required supporting documentation stipulated on the SF-15.

Hope this helps someone along the way.

USMCFLYR

Dragon7

Doesn't apply to anybody who is 0-4 or above...

N9373M

Not all gov't agencies are required to consider this.

USMCFLYR

That is little too much of a blanket statement.
That actually wording is:

USMCFLYR

Dragon7

Stand corrected. Thanks.

Golden Bear

I'm sure I'll catch all kinds of grief for this, but it sure would be nice if we lived in a society where prospective candidates were judged solely on their qualifications and positions were awarded only on merit.

USMC, for many years and over many announcements I pursued the job you currently have. I feel strongly that my education, training, and experience (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, if you will) were a perfect fit for the job in question. Throughout that process I tracked down the heads of the offices in both SAC and OKC and spoke at length with them several times. The last conversation I had ended with a statement to the effect of "you are exactly the kind of candidate I'd love to have in this position, and you have demostrated your desire, ambition, and commitment, but due to the preference required by Federal Law I have not had a civilian application forwarded to my desk by the selection office in over two decades."

I certainly have no beef with the military, and thank our soldiers every chance I can for their service. I also don't have any problem with prior service being credited towards an overall candidate's evaluation when it directly applies to the position applied for. It is just really frustrating to not even be able to make my case as the best qualified for the position because my pre-employement screening questionaire doesn't score high enough to even get my application on the desk of those who make the decisions.

Not that the government has ever been a model of efficiency or logic, but this kind of preference would receive all kinds of anti-affirmative action backlash if it benefited a gender or ethnic group.

These are governent, not military jobs, and I am a tax-paying citizen of this country just as much as anyone who has worn a military uniform. Level the playing field, and let the best man win.

FWIW, my grandfather was an electrician in the Navy during the attack on Pearl Harbor, my uncle was in the 82nd Airborne, and my Father-in-law was on a destroyer off the coast of Viet Nam, so please don't think I do not understand or appreciate the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

chignutsak

So you are 10000000% sure you were the best man for the job? How would you know? Or, let's presume your theory was correct. Would it have killed you to serve your country like your family did? You would have the job now, wouldn't you...

Grumble

Thanks to your grandfather, uncle, and father in law. Talk to them and they'll explain to you that through their sacrifice they more than likely didn't have the time or opportunity to pursue all the education and training that you did for that particular job. Combat, military deployments, and overall service requirements tend to preclude such free time. Enjoy your OWS pow wow.

Golden Bear

Forgot to add: Hindsight being 20/20, without question if I knew then what I know now I would have gone the mil route. This particular situation is not even on the list of reasons why. My own children will be encouraged should they express an interest.

Sorry for the digressive rant. Thank you again to all who have served.

Dragon7

GB,

Don't worry about it. Unless the system grinds out a decision to put me above 30% some day, which I have no control over, I don't get it with a fair amount of service. But there are lot of other reasons where any of us can be excluded. Roll the dice, network a bit, and see what shakes out. If somebody excludes you from their hiring consideration for any real or perceived status, do you really want to work for them? Life is too short and not always fair. Lots of other things to do. Good luck