What Is the Difference Between a Protected Veteran and Veteran?
Published on
July 25, 2024 at 8:00:00 AM PDT July 25, 2024 at 8:00:00 AM PDTth, July 25, 2024 at 8:00:00 AM PDT
America's veterans are our nation's heroes. They serve the country, often putting their lives on the line for our freedom. While there's no denying these brave men and women deserve our respect, you may not realize that not all service members are considered protected veterans. Many people are unaware of how a veteran of the U.S. military receives protected veteran status and what it means when they do.
To put it plainly, a protected veteran is someone who has the right to certain benefits once their military service is complete. Not every vet can receive these benefits, so understanding the qualifications is important if you or a loved one are a part of the armed forces. Let's explore the concept further below.
A Bit of History
The history behind the use of the protected veteran status originates in the post-Vietnam War era. At the time, Vietnam veterans, those who fought in the war, and Vietnam Era veterans, those who served at the time but didn't fight abroad, returned home to a cold welcome from the American public.
The war had little support. The public often ignored or even discriminated against service members who fought bravely. As a result, many struggled to find jobs because of intense discrimination.
In response, the Federal government created the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, also known as VEVRAA.
This Act sought to nullify any employment discrimination or prejudice against these veterans by federal contractors and subcontractors. It requires certain employers to enact affirmative action steps while recruiting, hiring, promoting, and retaining these service members. In essence, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act attempts to provide ex-military members with equal career opportunities as their civilian counterparts.
Four Types of Protected Veterans
There are four types of veterans that can qualify for protected veteran status. These include:
Disabled Veterans
A disabled veteran is anyone who was discharged from active duty because of a service-connected disability. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there is a wide range of medical conditions under this broad umbrella. However, they must share the common theme of the injury or condition being service-related. Members of the uniformed services are included as long as they were active duty and are now receiving or entitled to disability compensation.
Recently Separated Veterans
Any honorably discharged veteran is protected for a three-year period from their discharge date or release from active duty. In order to qualify, the service member must not have a dishonorable discharge.
Active Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veteran
A veteran who was active duty in a time of war or who participated in an expedition or campaign is protected. Additionally, they must have received recognition for their service with a campaign badge issued by the Department of Defense.
Armed Forces Service Medal Veterans
An Armed Forces service medal veteran is a service member who participated in a military operation and received an Armed Forces service medal. These veterans are eligible for protected status within federally contracted and subcontracted companies.
Protected Veteran Benefits
Thanks to the VEVRAA, anyone with protected veteran status cannot be subjected to harassment, treated with disrespect, or paid less because they served in the Armed Forces. It is also against the Act to deny employment on account of the individual's military service.
Additionally, employers must provide reasonable accommodations according to the veteran's preference and need to ensure they can complete their job properly. These accommodations may include:
- Providing materials written in braille
- Providing a sign language interpreter
- Using large print
- And adjusting work schedules for doctors' appointments
The only exception would be if the accommodation would incur significant costs to the employer or create extensive challenges to enact.
Are Protected Veterans Fully Protected?
Unfortunately, VEVRAA doesn't extend to all employers. It generally applies only to federal contracts or subcontracts exceeding $150,000.
Another act, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act or USERRA, was enacted by the U.S. Department of Labor in 1994 to extend protection to the civilian sector. While the USERRA is an excellent step in protecting veterans, it only applies to active reservists with the potential to be activated for service.
It's essential to enquire whether a potential employer abides by VEVRAA or USERRA prior to submitting a job application. Fortunately, employers and subcontractors working with or who have signed a federal contract must respect this legislation.
Keep in mind that although many employers must abide by veteran protection rulings, they don't have the right to ask or require an individual to identify their veteran or protected veteran status. To learn more, visit www.dol.gov.
What to Do in Case of Discrimination
If a protected veteran experiences discrimination, they hold the right to complain to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program without the fear of retaliation. If the OFCCP rules in favor of the veteran, the employer's current federal contracts can be terminated, and the employer may be banned from future contracts. The veteran would then be eligible for compensation, which could include a new job position, promotion, back pay, and other remedies.
Protected Veteran vs Veteran: A Definition
According to the Secretary of Veteran Affairs, a protected veteran is anyone who is eligible to receive certain employment benefits under the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA). While not all employers are obliged to follow the VEVRAA, both protected and non-protected veterans are entitled to fair and equal treatment in the workplace.
Make Sure Your Display Shows Your Pride in Our Veterans
Carrot-Top is proud to offer a wide selection of military service flags that honor our brave veterans. These high-quality commemorative flags are officially licensed and feature vibrant insignia for each service branch.
We proudly offer a full line of veteran flags for the Army, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Navy, along with World War II, Pearl Harbor, 911, and more. Experience the American-made difference and honor our country's veterans with a stunning flag display from Carrot-Top Industries. Contact us today to learn more.