Does President Obama's push to hire veterans into federal jobs fuel resentment?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 00:14:45 -0400

I know I've seen discussions about potential discrimination by employers based off of stereotypes and stigmas surrounding veterans, but has anyone seen or heard about resentment toward veterans by civilian co-workers?

Everyone that I've run into in my adventures in the civilian world hasn't shown any such thing, but then again they may talk their talk when I'm not looking or listening.

http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/obama-s-push-to-hire-veterans-into-federal-jobs-fuels-resentment-1.303119

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2014 12:25 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 00:25:01 -0400

Yeah, I hear complaints about it all the time from FEMA folks all the time. I'm sure there is some backlash - just haven't seen it face to face yet. As you indicated, it's all behind closed doors, no one wants to face a lawsuit.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 16 at 2014 6:11 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 18:11:13 -0400

Part of the problem, IMHO, is whenever you draw attention to a segregated population in a discussion regarding employment, the same questions about competency vs. quota will always rear their head.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2014 6:19 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 18:19:18 -0400

In my experience, veterans filling DoD civilian jobs are experienced in the field and tend to be as qualified as (if not more qualified than) the non-veteran employees. I have not heard any complaints.

I guess the DoD is a special case, though, because it's all about the military, so they would not typically be resentful towards veterans.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Sep 16 at 2014 6:58 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 18:58:56 -0400

It all depends. Like ALL preference programs, you will be resentful if you didn't get hired - or didn't get the promotion, and you think the person who did only did so because of the preference.

The more you wanted the whatever, the more resentful.

The reality of the impact (or even EXISTENCE) of the preference is an interesting but irrelevant detail to the person's attitude.

Response by Cpl Robert Masi made Sep 17 at 2014 10:33 AM

Cpl Robert Masi — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 10:33:44 -0400

It's Media trying to fuel resentment.....I don't think that Obama has pushed for Vets to be hired....hell, he fired over 200 Military Officers because they weren't 'Yes Men'....And Gen. McCrystal's staff says Obama is visibly Physically Intimidated by the military...which makes sense.