Is it possible to work VA FT and be a military reservist?

Corvette Guy · Jul 8, 2006

Since both are government jobs, I was wondering if this is allowed.
Thanks.

Most definitely is allowed... as long as you don't get mobilized.

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Jul 8, 2006

I did both when I worked for the VA.

But, the VA is mostly unionized with union rules. What this means for YOU is that the necessity to work weekends is normally written into the contract.

That being the case, be prepared to only have 1 weekend off a month. You'll give 2 to the VA and 1 to the reserves.

This is why I eventually left the reserves. That, and the amount of overtime I could make working those weekends were crazy compared to what I was making for the reserves. The VA had great weekend diffs. I was a new nurse paying off tons of debt w/ a new kiddo. I just couldn't afford to give up that overtime.

~faith,

Timothy.

okikuma · Jul 12, 2006

Yes, one can be employed in a civilian job and be a Reservist or National Guard Soldier/Airman.

There is a Federal law that allows this. It is called the Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

In a nutshell, the USERRA Law protects anyone from discrimination from an employer from past, present or future membership in the Armed Forces (both Active and Reserve/National Guard).

Under the USERRA Law, it is manditory that an employer give you time off from work without penalty (including weekends) for military duty, whether for drill, AT, service schools, involuntary, or voluntary activations. You can not be forced to use your own vacation, sick or comp time to perform your military duty. It is not manditory for the employer to pay you your salary while you are away from work for military duty (however many companies voluntary make up the salary difference as patriotic employers).

There is a Department of Defense program that can provide one with any and all information concerning USERRA and the rights and responsibilites both the employer and Reservist/Guardsmen possess.

The name of the program is Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and the website is www.esgr.mil. Go and surf the website because it's a valuable resource concerning your question.

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Jul 12, 2006

I was asked in a PM about converting military retirement credit to the VA system. You have to pay some amount extra per year of military credit in order for it to count for the VA. At least, that was how it was done in 1993.

I didn't convert my military service years into the VA retirement system because I knew from the start that I wouldn't be staying with the VA.

But there IS a way to do it. Your VA HR office will know the exact procedure.

~faith,

Timothy.

IU95 · Jul 12, 2006

Great info!

It is very much appreciated. Thanks.

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Jul 12, 2006

Great info!
It is very much appreciated. Thanks.

I think it was reasonable. If I remember, it was like a little more than a grand a year for each yr of military service and you could pay it out over time.

Like I said, I never participated in this program.

But, my advice: if you work for the VA, dump 10% of your salary into the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). That's the gov'ts 401k plan, but it is very generous.

They have a high match and a wide variety of risk from no risk: bonds, to high risk. If you balance accordingly and stay consistent, the TSP has been known to make 30yr careerists millionaires when they retire.

Even if you only work 15 yrs or so, it should give you several hundred K on top of retirement.

Look up TSP online. And also, FERS (Fed Employee Retirement System)

Also, and I think this wasn't the case when I worked there, but I think you now get a social security check as a federal retiree - on top of FERS and TSP. It used to be the fed employees were exempt from paying into SS.

If you stay for a decade or two, and plan a little, gov't service can make for a comfortable retirement.

(plus, 30 days paid vacation a year is nothing to sneeze at.)

Good luck.

~faith,

Timothy.

chocokitten · Aug 8, 2007

I currently work for the VA and am applying for Army reserves. Once I get in I will receive an extra 2 weeks of paid vacation to cover my time spent in the reserves. This means I get paid my reserves pay as well as my normal pay. One of my classmates that graduated in winter works here and is in the National Guard and also benefits from this perk, plus the hospital is VERY understanding when you get deployed or need that weekend off for drill etc. Plus it gives you more rapport with the patients if you are military.

focker2006 · Jan 8, 2009

Not sure if anyone knows the answer to this one, but if you work for the VA full time and join the reserves as well, are you eligible for retirements from both the VA and the reserves after 20 years, or is that classified as double-dipping?

BTW great input everyone, this thread has been helpful since I am really interested in working for the VA. :up:

chocokitten · Jan 8, 2009

Not sure if anyone knows the answer to this one, but if you work for the VA full time and join the reserves as well, are you eligible for retirements from both the VA and the reserves after 20 years, or is that classified as double-dipping?
BTW great input everyone, this thread has been helpful since I am really interested in working for the VA.

I believe you are, and no this would not be double dipping as far as I know.

I work for both. I leave for officer's basic course in a week and a half and I took enough leave that I am getting paid from the VA as well as the reserves and the office of personnel management says that this is acceptable... so I don't see why that wouldn't be

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2009

Most definitely is allowed... as long as you don't get mobilized.

Yes you can, I work for the VA fulltime and in the reserves. After reading some of the other post work weekends depend on where you work in the VA and how the unit is set up. Remember you also get 15 days of paid military leave each year. Here is one nice bonus for being a Title 38 Nurse, which VA nurses are, you start out with max vacation which is 5 weeks. Not may other places do that.

jeckrn, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2009

I believe you are, and no this would not be double dipping as far as I know.
I work for both. I leave for officer's basic course in a week and a half and I took enough leave that I am getting paid from the VA as well as the reserves and the office of personnel management says that this is acceptable... so I don't see why that wouldn't be

You can recieve both retirements, I work with some people who are retired from active duty and drawing that pension and when they retire from the VA with end up drawing both.