Claiming Veteran’s Preference

To claim veteran’s preference for a specific position, appropriate veteran’s documentation must be received by the closing date of the position. This documentation generally includes:

DD-214 for documentation of military service and discharge under honorable conditions. Documentation must include proof of active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge or expeditionary medal was or is expected to be issued. If your DD-214 does not include this proof, and you are expecting receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal, you must submit proof of such having been awarded or fully meeting the requirements for its award. Separate orders, or a letter from your commander stating such, are acceptable.
If claiming disability status, you are required to submit a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that documents any claimed current disability rating and percentage of applicable disability. This letter is valid only if dated 1991 or later. It is the veteran’s responsibility to ensure that the VA letter is dated within the time frame required.

Requests for extension

In rare cases, if the required veteran’s documentation cannot be submitted by the closing date of the position (e.g., it is not yet issued due to recent military discharge), a Request for Extension form (TVA Form 17900) may be filed and must be received by the closing date of the position. Requests for extension received after the closing date for the position will not be considered.

All requests for extension will be reviewed and approved or denied on a case-by-case basis, based on business needs. Denial of a request for extension will apply only to the specific position for which the applicant is applying. For future applications for positions, if veteran’s documentation is received by the closing date of the position, veteran’s preference will be applied as appropriate.

Derived veteran’s preference

If you are claiming derived veteran’s preference, in addition to submitting the required documents outlined above, you must complete the Veteran Status Information form (TVA Form 3595) and submit it by the closing date of the position in order for veteran’s preference to be considered for the position on which you are applying. (PDF version of Form 3595, 179 kb)

Submitting documents

Form DD-214, letters from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Request for Extension and Veteran Status Information forms may be scanned (if applicable) and e-mailed to careers@tva.gov (preferred method) or mailed to TVA Staffing & Recruiting, 1101 Market St. BR 3B, Chattanooga, TN 37402. Be sure to indicate the job number of the position(s) for which you are applying in the subject line of your e-mail or letter so the forms can be applied to the correct position.

All forms must be received by the closing date of the position to be considered.

Keeping documents on file

Once you submit your military documents, they will be kept on file and applied to all future positions on which you apply. You do not need to submit documents more than once.

Please note: If you submitted your veteran documents when you applied for a position before February 14, 2005 and have not applied for one after that date, your veteran’s documents have not been retained. You will need to submit them the next time you apply for a position.

TVA is an Equal Opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding equal employment opportunities.

Non-U.S. residents should read TVA's Citizenship Policy.

Individuals interested in claiming veteran’s preference should read the Information for Claiming Veteran's Preference.