Veterans can get
employment privileges

Question: I recently completed my active duty enlistment and was wondering if veterans are given any consideration for federal jobs, and how do I go about finding one?

Answer: The Veterans Readjustment Appointment authority allows federal agencies to appoint eligible veterans to jobs without competition. Such appointments may lead to conversion to career employment upon satisfactory work for two years. Veterans seeking VRA appointment should contact the agency where they wish to work as use of this authority is entirely discretionary.

Certain veterans, principally those who are disabled or who served in a hostile area, are entitled to preference in competing for civil service jobs. This preference includes five or 10 points added to passing scores in examinations and preference in job retention. Preference also is provided for certain unremarried widows and widowers of deceased veterans and for mothers of military personnel who died in service; spouses of service-connected disabled veterans who are no longer able to work in their usual occupations; and mothers of veterans who have permanent and total service-connected disabilities.

The Veterans' Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 allows individuals eligible for veterans' preference or honorably discharged veterans who completed three or more years of continuous active service to compete for certain federal jobs. Information can be found on the Web site www.opm.gov/ veterans/html/vetguide.htm. Also, employment information and current jobs are at www.usajobs.opm.gov and USA Jobs at (912) 757-3000. For federal openings in Hawaii try www.federaljobsearch.com.

Q: As a disabled veteran, am I eligible for military commissary and exchange privileges?

A: If you are rated 100 percent disabling for service-connected disabilities and have been honorably discharged, you are eligible for unlimited exchange and commissary store privileges in the United States. These privileges also apply to unremarried surviving spouses of members or retired members of the armed forces, recipients of the Medal of Honor, and their dependents and orphans. The VA does the certification for total disability. Privileges overseas are governed by international law and are available only if agreed upon by the foreign government concerned. VA provides assistance in completing DD Form 1172, "Application for Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card." For more information, either call the VA at 433-1000, or visit the VA on the Oceanside/Diamond Head end of Tripler Army Medical Center.