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VETERAN EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

Thank you for your interest in continuing to serve our nation. We are proud to offer a variety of career paths and opportunities tailored to veterans like you. Our mission is to provide a seamless transition from active duty to a meaningful civilian career by leveraging special hiring authorities and providing resources to support your growth and success.

Opportunities for Veterans

We are dedicated to helping you advance your career through comprehensive training, career development, and promotional opportunities. Below are the pathways and programs available to veterans interested in joining DISA:

DOD SkillBridge Program
Are you an active-duty service member looking for your next career step after separating? Are you interested in using your military service to advance your career? Discover opportunities to participate in SkillBridge with DISA.
The DOD SkillBridge Program is an opportunity for you to gain valuable civilian work experience with us during your last 180 days of service. SkillBridge connects service members with private and public sector organizations offering internship opportunities for separating service members to build their resumes, explore employment interests, develop job skills and gain valuable federal government work experience helping you prepare for your adjustment to the workplace. We offer a wide array of SkillBridge opportunities in sync with available career fields.  

Disclaimer: SkillBridge Intern participants are not entitled to a permanent job offer at the conclusion of the SkillBridge opportunity simply by completing the program. Veterans entitled who meet the criteria for non-competitive hiring authorities and qualifications for a vacancy may be extended a non-competitive job offer upon completion of the internship.

Non-competitive hiring authorities must:

  • Be a United States citizen.
  • Be active duty.
  • Meet security clearance requirements.
For Separating Service Members:
  • Review the DOD SkillBridge Program Brochure for more information.
  • Review the Military Skills Translator.
  • Any rank, enlisted or officer, may apply for SkillBridge internships.
  • Separating service members must obtain approval from your current unit.
  • Service members must fulfill the security clearance requirements set by the organization where you intend to work.
  • During SkillBridge participation, service members will continue to receive military compensation and remain covered by your military benefits.
  • Release for SkillBridge is mission-dependent and unit commanders must authorize participation prior to entering into any agreement with DISA.
  • Interested service members can view available internships at the DOD's Authorized SkillBridge Organizations page. If one is available, a veterans program representative will contact you.
  • Interested service members  can also complete the DISA SkillBridge candidate intake form.
  • Interested sponsors can also complete the DISA Skillbridge sponsor intake form. A veterans program representative will contact the candidate as soon as possible.
 Minimum Requirements:
  • Must have a current Secret or Top Secret SCI security clearance (pending the position and within 7 years)
  • Must provide a resume.
 More information:

Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans

The Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment hires veterans under excepted appointments to positions that are otherwise competitive service. After completing two years of satisfactory service, the veteran may be converted noncompetitively to a career or career-conditional appointment. Eligible veterans can be appointed up to a GS-11 without competition.

Eligibility

VRA eligibility applies to the following categories:

  • 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
  • Disabled veterans
  • Veterans who were awarded the Armed Forces Service Medal, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  • Veterans recently separated (within 3 years of discharge)
  • Separated under an honorable or general discharge conditions

To find out more about federal employment information for veterans and transitioning military service members visit FEDSHIREVETS.gov or email DISA Veterans Program at disa.meade.j-1.mbx.disa-veterans-programs@mail.mil.

Additional Resources

The 30% or More Disabled Veteran authority allows any veteran with a 30% or more service-connected disability to be hired without competition.

The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998, provides preference eligible veterans the opportunity to compete for certain positions announced under an agency’s merit promotion procedures.

Eligibility

VEOA eligibility applies to the following categories of veterans:

  • a preference eligible (defined in title 5 U.S.C. 2108(3), or
  • a veteran who substantially completed 3 or more years of active service under honorable conditions.

Agency announcements must state VEOA is applicable. Current or former federal employees meeting VEOA eligibility can apply. However, current employees applying under VEOA are subject to time-in- grade restrictions like any other General Schedule employee.

This program provides eligible veterans the opportunity to obtain training and practical job experience concurrently. Veterans who are entitled to training under the Chapter 31 Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation Program are eligible to participate in an on-the-job training program when determined appropriate by a VA case manager.

Upon successful completion, the host agency and VA give the veteran a certificate of training showing the occupational series and grade level of the position for which trained. The certificate of training allows any agency to appoint the veteran noncompetitively under a status quo appointment which may be converted to career or career-conditional at any time.

To find out more about disabled veterans training for veterans and transitioning military service members visit Vets - OPM.gov.

Though not specifically for veterans, the Schedule A authority for people with certain disabilities, 5 CFR 213.3102(u), is an excepted authority agencies can use to appoint eligible veterans who have a psychological, intellectual or severe physical disability. Agencies can use this authority, at their discretion, to appoint you at any grade level and for any job (time-limited or permanent) for which you qualify.

Eligibility

  • Show proof of your disability.
  • Have either the individual with a disability or the agency human resource office should complete the Standard Form 256.

There is no limit to the number of times you can apply under this authority.

OPM encourages job-seeking veterans to seek consideration under all the hiring authorities for which they are eligible, in addition to claiming their preference under the competitive examining process (if applicable).

Additional information can be located at guides to Schedule A.

  • Veteran Readiness and Employment - Assists veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find and keep suitable jobs.
  • Feds Hire Vets - A singular source for Federal employment information for veterans, transitioning military service members, their families, and federal hiring officials.
  • Office of Personnel Management - Expands opportunities to hire and retain veterans, transitioning military service members and their families who have the experience, skills and competences the Federal Government needs.
  • VA for Vets - Managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and offers a comprehensive toolkit for veterans with tips on job applications, resumes and conducting the ideal interview. Other resources include job listings and information about upcoming job fairs.
  • Military Buy Back - For employees who have honorably served in the military and wish to have their military time credited towards their civilian retirement.
  • Disabled Veteran Leave - Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more is entitled to up to 104 hours of disabled veterans leave.
  • VA education and training benefits - Learn how to apply for and manage the education and training benefits you’ve earned.
  • Vet Guide
  • Veterans Hiring Frequently Asked Questions