Transitioning from military service to civilian life is a significant step, and the Air Force Civilian Service (AFCS) stands as a strong bridge, actively seeking veterans to join its ranks. AFCS recognizes the invaluable skills, dedication, and experience that veterans bring, understanding that hiring veterans is not just a matter of policy, but a strategic advantage. By actively recruiting from the veteran community, AFCS enriches its workforce with seasoned professionals while providing veterans a meaningful avenue to continue serving their country in a new capacity. For veterans exploring career paths after service, including potentially leveraging technical skills gained in fields relevant to programming, AFCS offers diverse opportunities to apply and expand their expertise.
Why Choose an Air Force Civilian Career?
A career with the Air Force Civilian Service offers veterans a unique opportunity to translate their military experience into a fulfilling civilian role. Veterans possess a wealth of transferable skills – leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and technical proficiency – highly valued within AFCS. Beyond skills, veterans bring a commitment to mission, a strong work ethic, and adaptability, qualities that are integral to the Air Force’s civilian workforce. For those with backgrounds in technical fields, including areas that align with programming and technology, AFCS presents a platform to utilize and further develop these skills in support of critical national security missions. Moreover, AFCS provides job security, competitive benefits, and the satisfaction of continued service, making it an attractive career destination for veterans from all backgrounds and specialties.
Veteran Hiring Programs
To facilitate the transition for veterans into civilian careers, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management has established resources like FedsHireVets.gov, a comprehensive website dedicated to Federal employment information for veterans. AFCS leverages several key hiring authorities designed specifically to support veteran employment:
Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
The Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment (VRA) is a powerful tool that allows AFCS to hire eligible veterans without traditional competitive processes. This excepted hiring authority is available to veterans who meet any of the following criteria:
- Have served on active duty and received a campaign badge for service during a war, campaign, or expedition.
- Have served on active duty and been awarded an Armed Forces Service Medal for participation in a military operation.
- Are recently separated from service (within the last three years) and have separated under honorable conditions, indicated by an honorable or general discharge.
- Are classified as disabled veterans.
U.S. Air Force veteran, Airman 1st Class Spencer Slayman
Under the VRA, veterans can be appointed to positions at any grade level up to GS-11 or its equivalent. Upon successful completion of two years of service in a VRA appointment, individuals are converted to a career-conditional or career appointment within the competitive service, providing a pathway to long-term civilian employment.
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)
The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), reinforced by the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, further strengthens opportunities for veterans. This act extends preference-eligible status to active duty service members up to 120 days prior to their discharge or release from active duty for competitive service appointments.
Service members in this situation can apply for positions by submitting a “certification” along with their job application. This certification is any official written document from their armed forces branch that confirms their expected discharge or release under honorable conditions within 120 days of the certification submission date. This proactive measure allows transitioning service members to begin their civilian job search and secure employment even before their official separation date, ensuring a smoother transition.
30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
For veterans with service-connected disabilities, AFCS offers another significant hiring authority. Veterans with a disability rating of 30 percent or more can be appointed to any position for which they are qualified, without competition, and with no grade-level limitations, unlike the VRA.
Eligibility for this authority includes:
- Veterans retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more.
- Veterans rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.
- Veterans who are otherwise classified as disabled.
Initial appointments under this authority are time-limited, exceeding 60 days. However, a significant advantage is that these veterans can be converted to permanent status at any point during their time-limited appointment without any further competitive process, offering a direct and expedited route to permanent civilian employment within AFCS.
Conclusion
The Air Force Civilian Service is deeply committed to providing meaningful career opportunities for veterans. Through programs like VRA, VEOA, and the 30% or More Disabled Veterans hiring authority, AFCS actively seeks to recruit and employ the talented men and women who have served our nation. For veterans seeking a continued path of service, a stable and rewarding career, and a place to utilize their unique skills, including those potentially developed in technical or programming-related military roles, AFCS offers a compelling and supportive environment. Explore these veteran-focused programs and take the next step in your career journey with the Air Force Civilian Service.
