Do military years affect job eligibility for federal positions?

I'm thinking about working for the federal government after my military service. How do my years in the military impact my chances of getting a federal job? Does it offer any advantage or preference in hiring?

Yes, military service can indeed impact your eligibility for federal positions, often to your advantage. One such instance is under the veterans' preference policy, which provides a degree of priority to qualified veterans during the hiring process. This policy recognizes the economic loss suffered by veterans in the course of their military service and provides a mechanism to help them regain their place in the civilian job force.

There are two types of preference eligibilities, namely a 5-point preference and a 10-point preference. The 5-point preference applies to those who served during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or served for more than 180 consecutive days, excluding training. The 10-point preference applies to disabled veterans, spouses or mothers of a 100 percent disabled veteran, or the widow/widower or mother of a deceased veteran.

In addition to preference points, the Federal government also uses special appointing authorities for veterans, such as the Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA), to fill vacancies. Likewise, the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) can be used when filling permanent, competitive service positions. It allows veterans to compete for jobs that are only open to so-called 'status' candidates, extending the areas where your application can gain traction.

Finally, one of the most significant benefits is the potential for “creditable service”. The years that you have served in the military are generally added to your years of service in a civilian position when calculating your federal retirement benefits. However, to receive these benefits, you may need to make a deposit to the Civil Service Retirement System.

It's always a good idea to connect directly with the federal job's human resources department or a veteran's service organization for specific roles and more precise information. Remember to provide them with a detailed account of your military service for them to accurately assess your situation.