Federal Jobs Through the Non-Appropriated Fund and the Veterans Readjustment Act
Because of your military service, you may have an advantage over others when applying for
federal employment. Congress provided this advantage by enacting veterans' hiring preference
laws.
Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA): The VRA is a special authority by which
agencies may, if they wish, appoint an eligible veteran without competition. The candidate does not
have to be on an eligibility list, but must meet the basic qualification requirements for the
position. The VRA is a convenient method of appointment for both the agency and the veteran.
However, use of the authority is entirely discretionary and no one is entitled to a VRA
appointment.
Note: These laws do
not imply guaranteed placement of a veteran in every federal job. The veterans'
hiring preference laws are not applicable to Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) employment. Veterans
applying for NAF jobs may be given preference at time of hire only.
VRA appointees initially are hired for a 2-year period. Successful completion of the 2-year
VRA appointment leads to a permanent civil service appointment. (Please note, however, that a
veteran may be employed without competition on a temporary or term appointment based on VRA
eligibility. Such an appointment is not a VRA appointment and does not lead to conversion to a
permanent position.)
Eligibility Requirements
The following individuals are eligible for a VRA appointment:
- Disabled veterans;
- Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war declared by Congress, or in
a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized.
- Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a military
operation for which the Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded; and
- Veterans separated from active duty within the past 3 years.
There is no minimum service requirement, but the individual must have served on
active duty, not active duty for training.
Date Last Reviewed: September 27, 2011
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