Veterans' Readjustment Appointments
Employment Opportunities to Help Veterans

You are eligible for a VRA if you served for a period of more than 180 days active duty, all or part of which occurred after August 4,1964, and have other than a dishonorable discharge.

If you served on active duty between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975, you have either 10 years after the date of your last separation from active duty, or until December 31,1995, whichever is later.

If you first entered active duty after May 7, 1975, you have 10 years after the date of your last separation from active duty, or until December 31,1999. whichever is later.

If you have a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more, you have no time limit.

* What kind of jobs are available?

Agencies can use the VRA authority to fill jobs up through GS-11 and equivalent jobs under other pay systems. The agency you apply to decides whether you meet the experience and education requirements for the job it wants to fill. Agencies may require passing a test for some jobs.

Contact the personnel office at the Federal agency where you want to work to find out what jobs are available. Agencies can recruit candidates and make VRA's directly without using OPM examination lists. If you want a list of local agency personnel offices, contact your local OPM veterans' representative. If you need career development help, contact your local State Employment Service or Department of Veterans Affairs office.

No, it is an optional program. VRA eligibles are not guaranteed appointment. When agencies have vacancies to fill, they can choose candidates from civil service examination lists, agency employees, or current and former Federal employees with civil service status. The VRA program gives agencies another source to consider for selecting quality candidates. An agency picks the candidate it believes can do the job best.

Yes. When hiring under the VRA program, agencies must give preference consideration to disabled veterans and others with veterans' preference over veterans who are not eligible for preference.

If you have less than 15 years of formal education, agencies are required to provide a training program for you. If you have 15 years or more, you may participate in training programs on the same basis as other employees. A training program could include on-the-job assignments or classroom training.

The requirement for more than 180 days active service does not apply to (1) veterans separated from active duty because of a service-connected disability or (2) reserve and guard members who served on active duty (under 10 U.S.C. 672 a, d. or 9: 673 or 673 b) during a period of war, such as the Persian Gulf War, or in a military operation for which a campaign or expeditionary medal is authorized.