Veterans' Preference

With the passing of Memorial Day, we remember those who have served our country.

The State of Florida also tries to remember its veterans by giving Veterans' Preference to those who apply for public sector jobs. 

As stated in Chapter 295, Florida Statute, preference is extended to veterans who fall under the following categories:

• A veteran with a service-connected disability who is eligible for or receiving compensation, disability retirement, or pension under public laws administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
• The spouse of a veteran who cannot qualify for employment because of a total and permanent service-connected disability, or the spouse of a veteran missing in action, captured, or forcibly detained by a foreign power.
• A veteran of any war who has served on active duty for one day or more during a wartime period, excluding active duty for training, and who was discharged under honorable conditions from the Armed Forces of the United States of America. A veteran who served honorably but who has not met the criteria for the award of a campaign or expeditionary medal for service in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, qualifies for preference in appointment effective July 1, 2007.
• The unmarried widow or widower of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability.
• A veteran who has served in a qualifying campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge or expeditionary medal has been authorized; including any Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. 

The service dates are defined as follows:

• World War II: December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946
• Persian Gulf War: August 2, 1990 to January 2, 1992
• Korean Conflict: June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
• Vietnam Era: February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975
• Operation Enduring Freedom – October 7, 2001 to date to be determined
• Operation Iraqi Freedom – March 19, 2003 to date to be determined

To claim veterans’ preference, the applicant must:

• Be a Florida resident
• Indicate your claim for veteran preference on the application
• Provide a copy of your DD214 to positions that are covered under FS 295, as described above.

If you believe that you have been discriminated against as a veteran in violation of Florida Statute 295, please contact Ambuter Law for your free case evaluation.