When doing business w/a company that is designated as "Disabled Veteran" is there a presumption that they are less capable, competent or meritorious?

NewsVine_Mariyam

Platinum Member
Mar 3, 2018
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I am in no way asking this question to throw shade on anyone who has served in our military, particularly those who have suffered a physical or mental trauma as a result of their service.

I'm asking specifically because everyone who uses the term "DEI hire" is using the term as a put down and in a lot of instances due to the race/gender of the subject to whom they are referring. Just like with affirmative action, they falsely believe or assume that the referenced subject is less qualified, and certainly less deserving of the position or admittance when discussing university admissions that they have acquired.

This isn't true, but the people who use the term "DEI hire" treat it as if it their discriminatory beliefs are fact and now the term has entered into the current societal lexicon as essentially a "four-letter" word meaning "a non-white person got something that they shouldn't have based SOLELY on their race or gender" (paraphrased). It doesn't matter to them that the person selected may ALSO be heads & shoulders above the rest of the competition in terms of qualifications, specific experience, and qualities that makes a person particularly empathetic and a good team member or leader.

Which brings us to the subject of the "protected veteran" status", specifically those veterans who have submitted the paperwork detailing their injuries and how, with a doctor's letter I suppose, said injuries causes them to qualify as a disabled veteran.

Protected veteran status gives preference to service members over the rest of the population in repayment for their service to our country, but when it comes to disabled veterans, do you consider them as less capable than a person with the identical stats that they possess, just without the disability? Doesn't disabled indicate a lesser capacity of some sort?

If this category of people who have an actual disability doesn't garner them the rancor that we see leveled at people of color and women as we rise through the ranks, what gives? How can you judge one group of people using a real metric but which now has a meaning attributed to it that is not factual at all but at the same time look the other way when it comes to an admitted and documented lessor ability due to a diagnosed disability.

Again, I'm not asking this question to cast aspersion on veterans/disabled veterans. I'm asking this question because I am sincerely curious as to how the people in question will attempt to justify holding two opposite positions at the same time. It should be epic.

Protected Veteran Status
"Protected veteran status" is a designation used in the United States to ensure certain groups of veterans receive non-discriminatory treatment in employment. This status is defined by the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and is intended to protect eligible veterans from employment discrimination. The categories of protected veterans include:​
  1. Disabled Veterans: Veterans who are entitled to compensation under the Veterans Administration for a disability, or those discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  2. Recently Separated Veterans: Veterans within three years of discharge or release from active duty.
  3. Active Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veterans: Veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized.
  4. Armed Forces Service Medal Veterans: Veterans who participated in a U.S. military operation and were awarded an Armed Forces service medal.
Employers with federal contracts or subcontracts of $100,000 or more are required to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans, as per VEVRAA regulations.​
Disabled Veteran
A "disabled veteran" is specifically defined as a veteran who:​
  1. Is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

  2. Was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
Disabled veterans are one of the categories of protected veterans. They are entitled to additional protections and benefits, including priority placement in certain federal jobs and preference points when applying for federal employment. This status also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled veterans, similar to accommodations provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).​
Relationship between Protected Veteran Status and Disabled Veteran
The relationship between protected veteran status and disabled veteran status is that disabled veterans are a subset of protected veterans. This means that all disabled veterans are protected veterans, but not all protected veterans are disabled veterans. The laws and regulations that apply to protected veterans aim to prevent discrimination and promote affirmative action in employment for all categories of protected veterans, including disabled veterans.​
Citations and Sources
  1. U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). "Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as Amended (VEVRAA)." OFCCP VEVRAA
  2. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). "Veterans and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): A Guide for Employers." EEOC Veterans Guide
  3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "Disabled Veterans Affirmative Action Program (DVAAP)." VA DVAAP
 

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