During an interview for a job, is the person conducting the interview allowed to hold your military service against you as a disqualifier?

Thank you for your feed back Capt Waddell. I just felt odd when the co-owner said it aloud to me not having civilian experience as a disqualifier. I really did not know how to respond to her. It came across to me as a discriminator since I've served 27 of my 46 years on this earth serving my country I love. Beside that single fact, I am confidant I was the most qualified candidate for the position posted. Like you stated though, I do not want to work for a company that holds this against me or views this as a weakness for a job.

Exactly. It is their loss - and it is your gain to find out what kind of a work environment they have there.

It has been my experience that hard-core lefties are anti-military and arrogant about it. The best way to deal with them is through the rear view mirror.

This particular job was right up my alley since I was applying for a Program Manager over a Gov contract that has DCMA oversight. I retired 3 months ago from a 2 year assignment as a DCMA Gov Ground Rep having oversight of civilian contracts. I was assigned to a civilian facility for those two years. Doesn't make sense to me why the company I was applying for didn't want me with my experience, but I guess from what I'm hearing from you and others this is happening to many of us Veterans.

The Chief's situation is a little different in that he is still in Uncle Sam's employ as a Reservist; thereby (potentially, most likely really) making what these companies are doing illegal. While it never happened to ma, I do know a few guys whose Reservist status made civilian employers either not hire them, make their employment difficult or pushed them out the door. But as you allude to Chief, "knowing" and "Proving" are two different animals.

Based on what you wrote about their (supposed) civilian work experience requirements, the company you applied to is being shortsighted and douchey, but its not illegal (to be shortsighted and douchey) as you are retired as opposed to being currently employed in the Reserves or Guard.

Now--and I'm not saying you should do this if you can, but--my guess is you may have contacts that could be leveraged AGAINST the company that was being so douchey to you, and a well placed narrative of your experience with the aforementioned business might be a source of irritation to them; it may not derail their government contracts, but it may negatively affect their brand, which they may be sensitive to. Just putting that out there. Not saying you should do it, but its a thought.