Is working for the VA rewarding or simply a typical government job full of bureaucracy and hierarchy?

I went to work for the VA after separation. It's run like all government civilian jobs with opportunities for leadership positions better than most large organizations.
I stayed for 25 and got out early at 47 yrs old.

I love serving my vets. Some of the most appreciative patients ever. Amazing, caring docs, but the bureaucracy made the Army look like a well oiled machine. I work in direct patient care, but it's an administrator'so dream

My other comment would be that at the end of the day, its what your happy with.

First, thank you for wanting to continue your service by working with veterans in the civilian world. It is always great to go into the VA and be helped by somebody who once served, there's an instant trust that builds with us patients.
Like Erin said, every VA is different, with different lower-level employees, as well as management and supervisors, but person that starts work there who actually has great integrity makes it a better place, and we need more of that!
Don't forget to take advantage of the 5 or 10 point Veteran advantage when applying. Another accuracy that Erin pointed out is to read the job description very well, and mention the requirements and "what we are looking for in an applicant" points in your resume. They now have software that scans your resume to see if it includes the stuff they need, and if it doesn't, no one will ever see that resume.

CPT Jason Mitchell, MBA Sir. I don't have first hand knowledge of working for the VA, but my last CDR(M-Day) before I retired does and works for the VA. He told me it is probably the most rewarding job he's had. I asked him why he chose to work there and his response was pretty much spot on why you are wanting to. Yes he said there is beurocracy etc, but the end result is he has an active part in assisting all vets.
Plus side he had a lot of good down to earth info helping me as I'm filing my claim, and has no qualms helping any Soldier anytime/anywhere.

It really depends on the people you work with. The biggest problem is running into supervisors that are retired military and pretend they are still in the military. Morale was always low in those departments because the supervisors would still utilize the military punishment and control styles, most of which are considered harassment and retaliation in the civilian world.

I am alittle on the fence. I started in Housekeeping and move due t physical requirements. Then I was working as a Police Dispatcher, got stressed and had anxiety problems and was removed from that position. The VA said they looked for another position for me but could not find anything due to my stress and anxiety as well as depression. I was "Let Go". I am a 40% disabled vet and they fire me from a VA. I had perfect attendance, excellent reviews from my job and working on a college degree but it did not help. I was also a 20+ year ,maintenance tech before and tried to get into that dept. They have a "Good Ole Boys club" and if you dont know anyone in there you will not be hired. They have been cleaning house but its still messed up. Dont get me wrong most care for the vets but there are some that are mean and rude. I am happy with my doctors staff they are just great but contrary to what is said below from others it is political in there, at least at my hospital it was and from what I hear still is to some degree. Its a good and rewarding job but I dont believe that is everywhere. There is plenty of info and reviews from past workers that you should read. this is just my 2 cents and if there are others that are very happy then congrats to them. Its getting better here and vets are the priority but when I was there it wasnt so much.

I suppose it would if an employee were there simply for a paycheck, or if they were there to continue serving our brothers and sisters. I teach in a high school on an indian reservation and I think of it as serving. the cool thing is it's fulfilling, I have purpose, and then I get money every two weeks for living my values and seeing someone (or more) become more for the investment of my effort. It's a blessing with hard work and an occasional frustration.

Maybe it is just me. Even jobs I loved became stale. With 5 exceptions
_Rifle Platoon Leader,
_Weapons Platoon Leader
_Rifle Company commander (interim because of extended absence of Company Commander 3 months)
_Surveillance and Target Acquisition Platoon Leader
_Marine Barracks Company Commander.
_Goat Herd and Cheese maker.

I am a 40% disabled vet and I worked at my local VA. I was only there a short time but in that short time I found that there were groups that stuck together so moving around to select jobs were never going to happen, they hire who they want with no preference to vets working there. as they should. I know one case where a friend of mine had a degree in HVAC and they hired a young friend of someone in Maint from the outside, he ended up having to file a complaint with the union. I myself had a degree, served in 3 services, had several disabilities both service and non service connection. I was stressed at my job as a Police Dispatcher and per my doctor I was removed. HR said they searched but could not find a position for me so my employment was Terminated(I was fired).. I know not all VA;s are like this but I think its BS that they hire from the "Good Ole Boys club" which is what they call it. I liked my job because I started out in housekeeping and had excellent on my evals. I never thought they would have fired me. The union even tried to get them to let me just work the phones but I was told no they may be doing away with the operator jobs. They cannot tell me they could not find me a job I could do. I had 20+ years of industrial Maintenance, they could have put me on mowing grass. I had even put in for several jobs I was qualified for and used to do in the civilian world but lost out to others that I know were less qualified, they just knew someone in that dept. and I was also a Navy Postal Clerk so there were many jobs I could have done . I ended up filing for disability retirement which I did receive but its very little and I wanted to work thats the reason I got my college degree at 50 years old. I guess it depends who you are and where you apply to but my VA plays way to many games. I see others would disagree because they seem happy in the other reviews and thats good but many at my VA would tend to differ with that assessment. to many games and a lot of favoritism