3
3
0
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: 9
4
4
0
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?
(4)
(0)
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.
(3)
(0)
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!
(2)
(0)
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.
(3)
(0)
2
2
0
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.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Need to hire people that can do the job not just by Veteran Status. Best Qualified gets the job!
(2)
(0)
LTC Christopher Sands
The VA and most of the Federal government will hire special classes, so it might as well be a Veteran.
(1)
(0)
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.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
There does need to be something done to fix the VA. I'm not sure that all employees be Vets or family of Vets. But how about we at least make a majority of the big decision people vets. People with the experience to understand the impact of their decisions. I don’t mean, picking the one head guy to be a veteran, like General Shenseki. He wanted to make things better but was able to make it happen. More veterans involved in the oversight and planning would be a good idea. You need civilians in the mix to keep it balanced.
(1)
(0)
2
1
1
My first gov't position was at the VA as a contract specialist. Yes, they should focus on hiring veterans, but be cautious. They should focus on hiring more younger generation veterans straight out of college that need a helping hand, instead of majority military retirees that they hire now. One thing I frequently saw was that their workloads never really kept up with the younger employees, and they took about 3x more leave than others. Another thing I saw, was when their disability claims finally went through and they had a generous income coming in (military pension + 50% disability + gov't salary), some really stopped caring about their work.
(2)
(1)
1
1
0
1
1
0
So what your saying is only veterans are only good enough to work there in non health care roles? I'm sorry but that is wrong. I have had multiple stays in the VA I had exceptional care from the staff some never served others did. By only staffing the VA WITH Veterans except doctors we are sayi mg civilians arnt good enough. Doesn't that drive the us from them mentality further?
(1)
(0)
COL Tom Wilkinson
"Have you ever served in an Infantry unit? Deployed to a forward area? Put your life in someone else's hands and asked them to put their life in yours?" These are the people I had watching my back. These are the people I want watching my back in the VA. It isn't working so good now, let's give the opportunities to the people who have walked the walk not just talked the talk.
(2)
(0)
PO2 Corey Ferretti
The hiring process needs to be on a qualified basis. I have dealt with Veterans who have the mentality It could be worse or I have seen worse. I guess I don't agree on the basis that it make sit look like unless you served you can't help our veterans. But I do understand where you are coming from.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
In theory it would be a good idea to hire vets. But to find enough qualified / certified vets to fill all of the staff positions would be quite the challenge.
I have a lot of experience with a couple of VA hospitals and clinics and for the most part have had really good service, except for one NP a long time ago. They are doing pretty well promoting the vets that I can see here.
I have a lot of experience with a couple of VA hospitals and clinics and for the most part have had really good service, except for one NP a long time ago. They are doing pretty well promoting the vets that I can see here.
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google