Glossary /
 

Protected Veteran

by | Nov 1, 2024

A protected veteran, as defined by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) regulations implementing the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), refers to an individual who meets one or more of the following criteria:

  1. Disabled Veteran: A disabled veteran is (1) any veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, OR (2) a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  2. Recently Separated Veteran: Any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran’s discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  3. Active Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veteran: Any veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  4. Armed Forces Service Medal Veteran: Any veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985 (61 Fed. Reg. 1209).

DirectEmployers VetCentral reporting gives protected veterans priority referral, helping meet OFCCP reporting requirements and further promoting jobs to veterans seeking career opportunities.

VEVRAA requires federal contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans. This includes outreach efforts to recruit protected veterans, the establishment of written affirmative action plans (AAPs), and reporting of the number of protected veterans employed. The purpose of VEVRAA is to ensure that veterans receive equal employment opportunities in the workforce and are not discriminated against based on their veteran status.