Looking for VA Job Leads

I spent nine years of active duty in the Air Force and transferred over to Air National Guard. I worked at the U.S. Mint as a diesetter/machine mechanic for 10 years before being called back to active duty for 9/11/2001.

I served for an additional six years of active duty for a total of 25 years in the military before being medically retired. I had kidney cancer in 2005 and now have kidney disease in my remaining kidney. I retired December 2007.

I really was anticipating completing four more years of active duty prior to the Medical Evaluation Board sending me the notification that I will be permanently medically retired. I was devastated. Though I did work a civilian job before going back to active duty, I felt lost after serving six years of active duty again. I had to learn how to write a resume again. I had to hit the pavement again and look for a job. It felt new to me all over again and it wasn't a good feeling. The civilian world doesn't have the connection of belonging like military members do.

To stay connected I thought about being a VA Rep. I filled out numerous job vacancies for a VA Rep in Baltimore, Charlotte, or Columbia,S.C.  with the hopes of relocating to the Charlotte area. No luck. I was told by VA Reps in Philly, that I won't get in the VA job system unless I had a degree. I agree that's the way the job market is going, but don't count me out especially with a VA rating of 80 percent. I am a medically retired Air Force MSgt. I've been a Personnel Specialist, a first sergeant, a union shop steward at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, on the Board of Directors for the U.S. Mint Credit Union, and you'd think I'd have a shot at being a VA Rep with 80 percent disability rating because of my kidney.

The VA Job page posts the statement "Work for the VA"; "Great place to work" and all that stuff and I'm still at my current job as a contractor on Andrews AFB. I'm not doing bad income-wise but still on the low end for the DC area.

For all the other transition center bloggers, I agree that a lot of the VA Reps could use some sensitivity, common courtesy, customer service training and check the attitudes at the door when they report for work. I admit everyone has their day, but those days don't need to be shared with others to bring the world down around you. I am currently enrolled in Strayer University to obtain a degree in Business Administration to further my chances of obtaining a new career. If you know of any job leads (preferable government) in the Charlotte, or Columbia, S.C. area please e-mail me at bowedacious@yahoo.com.

Thank you.

(Submitte by Mr. Terrence W. Bowe, Sr.) 

Comments

[J]

I work at the VA ... I don't (yet)have a degree & I'm a vet w/ no disability ... it has more to do with being in the right place at the right time. I too had submitted my application through usajobs consistently, for nearly 3yrs, but I ended up getting picked up from a military job fair on base. They never even asked if I had a profile in usajobs, they just took my resume and called me for an interview that same week. I'll admit, I was more interested in getting my foot in the door, so I decided to take a significant pay cut in salary ... I was reluctant at first, but with this economy, I was also looking forward to the stability of working under the federal government ... it was a smart move b/c the employer I left had major layoffs soon after my resignation.

[j]

I apologize for the multiple comments ... was having some tech issues, so I didn't think they were getting posted.

[Anne]

Don't give up, I am also a veteran w/o disability and I have been trying to work for VA since 2001 with still no luck. I guess that the present mandate from the Director of VA doesn't matter to HR when it comes to hiring more vets (go figure).