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Veterans Recruitment Appointment | An informative guide

Bristol

23rd April 2026

Ashton Gate Stadium

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Manchester 

9th July 2026

Manchester Central

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Cheltenham

10th September 2026

Cheltenham Racecourse

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London

27th October 2026

QEII Centre

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A Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) aims to ensure an individual leaving the military is supported in returning to civilian employment at the end of their service. Open to current and former members of the US armed forces, a VRA could be the next step in your career journey.

Understanding what to expect from a VRA, whether you’re eligible and how it could benefit your job prospects will enable you to make the most of this opportunity. The VRA enables veterans to apply for government agency roles in the US.

The UK equivalent is the Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme, which opens up jobs for veterans in the UK with the civil service. It’s an effective way for former military personnel to continue serving the public once their duty in the armed forces has ended.

Goldman Sachs also runs a Veterans Integration Program (VIP), which aims to help ex-military personnel get roles at the bank. To see which initiatives you might be eligible for, find out your veteran status.

How does a VRA work?

A VRA enables agencies to appoint eligible veterans to positions without competitions, offering them a foot in the door at an organisation. After two years of satisfactory service, they are then converted to a career or career-conditional appointment.

Veterans must apply for one of the qualifying VRA programs, which include:

  • 30% or More Disabled Veteran Program: For those with a service-related disability rated 30 per cent or higher by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It offers more opportunities for disabled veterans to apply and be hired for jobs without facing civilian competition.
  • VA Training Program: Connecting eligible veterans with training and work experience within the Department of Veteran Affairs, this program results in a Certificate of Training, which can aid a job search.
A person in a wheelchair from behind

What is the eligibility criteria for a Veteran Recruitment Appointment?

Certain criteria apply to make veterans eligible for a VRA. All applicants must meet one of the following:

  • Have served in a war, campaign or expedition and possess the appropriate campaign badge
  • Be a disabled service member
  • Have been given an Armed Forces Service Medal for participation in a military operation
  • Are a recently separated service member, which means within the last three years
  • Separated under honourable conditions with either an honourable or general discharge
A person in a wheelchair from behind

What are the benefits of VRA?

The benefits of a VRA are wide reaching for service leavers, helping ex-military personnel to find a place in civilian life. It can break down the barriers to a new career and ease the transition away from strict discipline of the armed forces.

Access to government jobs

A VRA offers access to government jobs that would often be competitive and beyond the reach of a service leaver. These agencies use VRA schemes to ensure veterans have an improved chance of being hired.

Greater awareness of veterans’ skill sets

VRA programmes highlight the skills developed within the military, with employers encouraged to see how veterans can benefit their organisations. From teamwork to being able to cope under pressure, ex-forces personnel can bring highly sought after approaches to the workplace.

Career opportunities

While a VRA enables veterans to apply for roles they wouldn’t have access to, individuals integrate into the system over time. After two years, they will have the same status as other employees and will be able to advance their careers in a similar manner.

Jobs for armed forces veterans

Image credits

© Crown copyright 2024

© Crown copyright 2024

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