Veterans Recruitment Act (VRA)

Veterans Recruitment Appointment (formerly Veterans Readjustment Appointment) 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 a list of eligibles, 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.

• A VRA appointee initially is hired for a 2-year period. Successful completion of a 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. A temporary or term VRA appointment does not lead to conversion to a permanent position.)
• The following are eligible for a VRA appointment:
  • A veteran who served on active in the Armed Forces during a war declared by Congress, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; a veteran 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 a veteran 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.
• A veteran selected for a VRA who has less than 15 years of education, must agree to participate in a training or educational program.
• Agencies can use the VRA authority to fill white collar positions up through GS-11 and equivalent jobs under other pay systems.

Conditions of Employment - A VRA appointment is an excepted service appointment. After 2 years of substantially continuous service under a VRA appointment, provided performance has been satisfactory, the appointment may be converted to the competitive service.