Steve Buyer: “Veterans' preference and its implementation in the Federal work force are issues that cause me great concern. We need…”

“Veterans' preference and its implementation in the Federal work force are issues that cause me great concern. We need effective and comprehensive enforcement of preference laws and regulations. Federal agencies have long abused veterans preference in hiring, promotion, and retention. I view the entrenched bureaucracy as the main source of the problem. There are many hiring managers that would like to see veterans go away. They resent a veteran's presence in an organization for any number of reasons. Maybe it's because these managers didn't serve and are embarrassed by the presence of those who did. Maybe it's because they have other diversity goals which they believe take precedence over veterans. Our career civil servants must be made to follow the law, and their political bosses should be educated to watch closely for these unacceptable personnel practices. The American people understand the nature of the sacrifices made for them by their veterans, and understand why veterans deserve preference--especially those disabled in the performance of their duties.”