How Do I Know If I Am a Protected Veteran?
As a veteran, you have earned the right to special protections and benefits under federal law. The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and the Jobs for Veterans Act of 2002 amended the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 to extend these protections to veterans who served in the military after the Vietnam War. If you are a protected veteran, you are entitled to certain benefits and protections, including:
What Does it Mean to be a Protected Veteran?
To be considered a protected veteran, you must have:
- Served in the active military, naval, or air service, including the Reserve and National Guard, for at least 90 days during:
- World War II (December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946)
- Korean War (June 25, 1950, to January 31, 1955)
- Vietnam Era (August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975)
- Gulf War (August 2, 1990, to August 31, 1991)
- Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (August 2, 1990, to August 31, 1991)
- Operation Iraqi Freedom (March 19, 2003, to August 31, 2010)
- Operation Enduring Freedom (October 7, 2001, to December 28, 2014)
- Operation New Dawn (September 1, 2010, to December 28, 2014)
- Been discharged or released under honorable conditions
- Been awarded a disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of at least 10% due to a service-connected condition
How Do I Know if I Am a Protected Veteran?
To determine if you are a protected veteran, ask yourself the following questions:
- Did I serve in the military for at least 90 days during one of the specified time periods listed above?
- Was my discharge or release from the military under honorable conditions?
- Have I been awarded a disability rating from the VA of at least 10% due to a service-connected condition?
If you answered "yes" to these questions, you may be considered a protected veteran.
What Benefits Do Protected Veterans Entitle to?
As a protected veteran, you are entitled to the following benefits:
- Preference in hiring when applying for federal jobs
- Priority in training and employment when applying for federal apprenticeships and training programs
- Assistance with job placement through the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS)
- Protection against employment discrimination under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974
- Access to federal employment services through the US Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration
How Do I Take Advantage of These Benefits?
To take advantage of these benefits, follow these steps:
- Apply for federal jobs through USAJOBS, the official website for federal government job listings
- Check the box indicating you are a protected veteran when applying for federal jobs
- Contact the VETS** to learn more about job placement and training services
- File a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)** if you experience employment discrimination
- Contact the US Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration** to learn more about federal employment services
Conclusion
Being a protected veteran comes with certain rights and benefits. By understanding what it means to be a protected veteran and taking advantage of the benefits available, you can navigate the transition back to civilian life with confidence. Remember to:
- Check your eligibility for protected veteran status
- Take advantage of federal job listings and employment services
- File a complaint if you experience employment discrimination
- Seek assistance from the VETS and other organizations
By doing so, you can maximize your opportunities and achieve success in your post-military career.
Table: Protected Veteran Status
| Time Period | Service | Discharge/Release | Disability Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| World War II | December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946 | Honorable | N/A |
| Korean War | June 25, 1950, to January 31, 1955 | Honorable | N/A |
| Vietnam Era | August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975 | Honorable | N/A |
| Gulf War | August 2, 1990, to August 31, 1991 | Honorable | N/A |
| Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm | August 2, 1990, to August 31, 1991 | Honorable | N/A |
| Operation Iraqi Freedom | March 19, 2003, to August 31, 2010 | Honorable | N/A |
| Operation Enduring Freedom | October 7, 2001, to December 28, 2014 | Honorable | N/A |
| Operation New Dawn | September 1, 2010, to December 28, 2014 | Honorable | N/A |
Bullets: Benefits of Being a Protected Veteran
• Preference in hiring for federal jobs
• Priority in training and employment for federal apprenticeships and training programs
• Assistance with job placement through the VETS
• Protection against employment discrimination under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974
• Access to federal employment services through the US Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration
