How does military seniority transfer to government jobs?

Trying to understand if military seniority helps when applying for government jobs. Are there advantages or preferences given to veterans, or does it depend on the specific government agency?

Veterans can indeed receive preferences in government hiring, as a way for the United States to show gratitude to those who served and to make the transition from active duty to civilian life a bit smoother.

One such preference is the Veterans' Preference. When federal jobs are filled, qualified veterans are given preference over non-veterans. This doesn't guarantee a job but does give an advantage. It's also important to note that such preferences do not apply to all positions, such as those in the Senior Executive Service or positions that are filled on a temporary basis.

Veterans could have points added to their score or rating during the examination or evaluation process. For example, a veteran with a service-connected disability could receive 10 points, while a veteran without a disability could receive 5 points. In some cases, a veteran's preference may also provide for special consideration for certain types of job vacancies or even allow for appointment without competition.

Another scheme is the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), which can help veterans apply for jobs that are only open to "status" candidates, typically current or previous federal employees.

Also, there's the Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA), a special authority that allows agencies to appoint eligible veterans without competition. However, a VRA appointment is not a guarantee to a permanent position. It could lead to career or career-conditional employment.

While transferring military seniority isn't straightforward, these programs can be beneficial to veterans. Each federal agency may interpret and apply these preferences slightly differently, so their impact can vary. To get the most current and detailed information, a great place to start would be the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) website, which provides comprehensive details and guidelines on veteran employment in the federal government.