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I think we, as veterans, should contact our CODEL and demand that the VA be staffed (with exception of doctors and healthcare professionals) with ONLY veterans! If you did not serve, you cannot work at the VA!
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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To play Devil's Advocate.
What about Spouses? What about Dependents?
Just because someone didn't serve, doesn't mean they don't have a vested interest, which I believe is why you are suggesting an exclusionary policy.
Furthermore, what if the most qualified, by far, just never served? Sometimes you need someone "outside" to look at a situation to tell you how stupid something is.
Drawing a parallel to the Napoleon's Corporal concept. If a policy cannot be handed to a "layman" to be understood, how can we expect "experts" to understand it?
What about Spouses? What about Dependents?
Just because someone didn't serve, doesn't mean they don't have a vested interest, which I believe is why you are suggesting an exclusionary policy.
Furthermore, what if the most qualified, by far, just never served? Sometimes you need someone "outside" to look at a situation to tell you how stupid something is.
Drawing a parallel to the Napoleon's Corporal concept. If a policy cannot be handed to a "layman" to be understood, how can we expect "experts" to understand it?
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COL Tom Wilkinson
Good point! I would support spouses and dependents. Who better to support our veterans than those who have a vested interest. As to the best qualified.....it hasn't worked thus far presuming that the best qualified were hired in the first place. Gen shenseki tried but the system beat him down. At least he accepted the blame even though his hands were tied from the get go.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS Great point. There are some very qualified dependents and family members of veterans that would be excellent candidates. There is some excellent leadership here on RP that could really make a difference as well. COL Tom Wilkinson Great suggestions - now if we could break through the bureaucratic tape to get some people hired!
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
As a military spouse at one time, I agree. As a manager for some time, it gets tricky. I was one who hired a reserve LT who was expecting to get activated within a few months. I told him, apply anyway. Never know the few months could take longer. I had the employee for about 6 months. Many of my peers didn't like the prospect of teaching someone new every year or so. For me, fresh ideas improved my service's ability to perform their mission. As for the Lt, he has since e-mailed me to express his continued appreciation for the hand up at a time that was important in his life.
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Be careful what you wish for. I have found some military folks more hard core than civilians when it comes to understanding a veteran's needs. Some military see things as "suck it up cupcake." Conversely, when we do hire not just military but civilians alike, hire the best qualified and ensure we trained them to do their job. I was at my local VA and they have several new veterans filling in many vacancies. They are horrible at it. It's not their fault, but the fault of their supervisors and managers. I don't take out my frustration upon them because I can see they don't understand or know. I usually track down their supervisor and cite the regulation that I'm trying to accomplish and the supervisor usually helps out. And when they too are incompetent, then I work my way up, documenting names and times.
You mention with the exceptions of doctors and healthcare professionals. I know of at least one civilian doc working for VA who was upset in an e-mail to his peers that a soldier was complaining about a knee issue, when the soldier played college football and spent 20 years in the Army without any documented complaints until now.
I know many civilian and military docs working for VA that do a Yoeman's job for us veterans. Unfortunately, its their facility, VISN (Veterans Integrated Service Network) and VA Central Office leadership that ties the clinicians' hands.
You mention with the exceptions of doctors and healthcare professionals. I know of at least one civilian doc working for VA who was upset in an e-mail to his peers that a soldier was complaining about a knee issue, when the soldier played college football and spent 20 years in the Army without any documented complaints until now.
I know many civilian and military docs working for VA that do a Yoeman's job for us veterans. Unfortunately, its their facility, VISN (Veterans Integrated Service Network) and VA Central Office leadership that ties the clinicians' hands.
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Need to hire people that can do the job not just by Veteran Status. Best Qualified gets the job!
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LTC Christopher Sands
The VA and most of the Federal government will hire special classes, so it might as well be a Veteran.
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TSgt Kevin Buccola
I can agree and disagree...the programs are there so everyone can apply. Just because you are a Veteran does not make you the best candidate...sorry to say that but it is true.
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