Who is a “Protected Veteran”?
Under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), the term protected veteran includes any veteran who is:

1. A Disabled Veteran

2. A Recently Separated Veteran

3. An Active Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veteran

4. An Armed Forces Service Medal Veteran

Definitions:

• Disabled Veteran – A veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who would be entitled to compensation but for receipt of military retired pay) under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs; or who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

• Recently Separated Veteran – Any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran’s discharge or release from active duty.

• Active Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veteran – A veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

• Armed Forces Service Medal Veteran – A veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, participated in a U.S. military operation for which an Armed Forces Service Medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Other Selections You May See:

• Not a Protected Veteran – You served in the military but do not fall into any of the four protected-veteran categories above.

• Not a Veteran – You did not serve in the U.S. military.

• Prefer Not to Answer – You choose not to self-identify. Your choice will not affect your application.

Note: These categories are used for equal-opportunity and affirmative-action reporting by federal contractors; they are separate from veterans’ preference in federal hiring (e.g., USAJobs).