VFW OPPOSES VETERANS PREFERENCE RESTRICTION

‘VETERANS PREFERENCE IS A HAND UP, NOT A HANDOUT’

WASHINGTON — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is adamantly opposed to a Senate proposal that would restrict veterans preference to a one-time deal when applying for work within the federal government.

“Veterans preference was created because military veterans are at a competitive disadvantage when applying for federal jobs,” said VFW National Commander John A. Biedrzycki Jr. “For the Senate to intentionally erect barriers to employment and advancement makes zero sense because it harms veterans and weakens the talent pool available to the federal government.”

Veterans preference is a point system that human resource offices use to rack-and-stack job applicants, yet contrary to popular belief, the only preference veterans receive is the job interview, not a job offer. Veterans must still prove they are the best qualified during the job interview. The Senate proposal would restrict the use of veterans preference to once.

“Preference is necessary because years of military service don’t always equate in the civilian sector,” said Biedrzycki, “and the same holds true for subsequent uses of veterans preference.

“Four years of military service plus four years of government service will never equal eight years of government service,” he explained. “Even after they are hired, veterans will always be behind their peers who didn’t serve in uniform. That is why veterans preference must be maintained in its current status, and that’s why the VFW adamantly opposes section 1134 of S. 2943, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017,” he said.

“Veterans preference is a hand up, not a handout, for those who honorably serve our nation in uniform.”