Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Office of Personnel Management today released an annual report to Congress on the status of veterans and disabled veterans working for the federal government, and by every measure, the Bush Administration is living up to its commitment to make career opportunities available to soldiers, sailors and airmen.

The Disabled Veterans Affirmative Action Program (DVAAP) report highlights federal employment statistics in fiscal year 2005, and offers a look at year-over-year representation gains through comparisons with fiscal 2004 data.

In fy05, veterans held 25 percent of all federal jobs; and 92,642 disabled veterans occupied federal positions. In addition, federal agencies hired 31,024 veterans into full-time permanent jobs, an increase of 21.4 percent over fiscal 2004.

"The men and women who have given years of their professional and personal lives to serving America in the military have earned our respect and the chance to contribute their knowledge and expertise as part of the civilian work force," Springer said. "America will benefit from the talents and experience these individuals bring to the workplace."

Other DVAAP report highlights include:

• Total veterans employment increase to 456,254 out of a 1.8 million work force in fy05
• Total employment of disabled veterans increased to 92,642 in fy05, from 87,390 in fy04
• Total new-hires of veterans increased to 48,257 in fy05, from 43,262 in fy04
• Total employment of 30 percent of more disabled veterans increased to 46, 727 in fy05, from 42,010 in fy04

OPM's report also notes the increased use by managers and hiring officials of the

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) to bring qualified veterans into federal positions. Under the Act, 14,273 veterans were selected for federal jobs in fy05; in fy04, 12,211 veterans were hired under the VEOA. Hiring officials also tapped the Veterans Recruitment Appointment authority in fy05 to hire more than 7,700 qualified individuals.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.