Federal Civil Service — Vet Preference
If you served honorably, you get hiring preference for federal jobs. Two main tiers:
- 5-point preference — wartime service, campaign-medal recipients, post-9/11 service
- 10-point preference — service-connected disability rated 10%+, Purple Heart, certain spouses and unremarried widows
You also have access to the VRA (Veterans Recruitment Appointment) non-competitive hiring authority, the VEOA for veterans with 3+ years of substantially continuous service, and 30% Disabled Veteran Authority.
Apply at USAJOBS.gov with the SF-15 for 10-point preference and your DD-214.
SkillBridge — for those still in
Last 180 days of active duty interning at a civilian employer while still drawing military pay. Apply 6-12 months before your separation date. See full transition guide.
VR&E (Chapter 31) — career retraining
If you have a service-connected disability and an "employment handicap," VR&E pays for retraining, education, and job placement. Often more generous than the GI Bill for vets pivoting due to injury.
Five tracks: re-employment, rapid access to employment, self-employment, employment through long-term services, and independent living. Apply through VA.gov.
USERRA — your old job is protected
If you were activated from a civilian job, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act requires your employer to give you your old job back (or one of like seniority and status), with all the raises and pension contributions you would have earned during deployment.
If your employer pushes back: ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) mediates for free at 1-800-336-4590.
Translate your MOS to civilian
- COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) — official DoD tool that maps your MOS to civilian licenses and certifications, with funding
- Hiring Our Heroes — Chamber of Commerce program with vetted employers and military-spouse track
- O*NET Military Crosswalk — free MOS-to-civilian-occupation translator
Vetted job boards (not the spammy ones)
- FedsHireVets — federal jobs targeted at vets
- RecruitMilitary — military-friendly job board with hiring fairs
- Hiring Our Heroes — Chamber of Commerce, vetted employers
- VeteranOwned.com — focused on veteran-owned businesses
- FourBlock — career readiness program at major universities
- American Corporate Partners (ACP) — free 1-on-1 mentorship with executives at Fortune 500 companies
Self-employment and entrepreneurship
- Boots to Business — free SBA program for transitioning service members
- Boots to Business Reboot — same program for veterans, spouses, and Guard/Reserve members no longer on active duty
- Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC) — local SBA-funded business advisors
- VetFran — franchise discount program (300+ brands)
- SBA Veteran Loan Programs — reduced fees, dedicated outreach
- Vet-Owned Set-Aside — federal contracts reserved for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB)
Wage replacement during job search
Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) — recently separated vets may qualify for state unemployment benefits funded by the federal government. Contact your state unemployment office; they administer.
If discrimination is in play
USERRA, ADA, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act prohibit discrimination based on military service. VETS Service Center at the Department of Labor handles complaints — 1-866-4-USA-DOL.
Get help
USAJOBS.gov
Federal job portal. Filter by veteran preference. Upload SF-15 for 10-point preference.
usajobs.gov →VR&E (Chapter 31)
Free retraining and job placement for vets with service-connected disabilities and employment handicaps.
va.gov/vre →COOL — Credentialing
Map your MOS to civilian licenses and certifications, with funding.
cool.osd.mil →DOL — VETS
USERRA enforcement, employment statistics, and grant programs for veteran employment.
dol.gov/vets →