veteran preference points.

[makakona]

since it came up elsewhere and i have some questions...

anyone have any idea how they figure the qualifications? my husband did not qualify for veteran preference points. he served 8.5 years active duty and served overseas. he has an armed force expeditionary medal (which qualifies him as a veteran for home loans, for example) and served more than one enlistment. he was active duty at the time of applying, which is why they said he did not qualify... yet if he had separated at any point, he would have qualified. i just don't get it. anyone have insight?

[Processing]

Not sure what the rules are in regards to what you did while you were in the service, or how you were discharged, but I do know that you cannot be active when testing if you want the points.

[Ray1]

To add a bit more, a buddy of mine that tested with me this last cycle at Border Div. got the Vet. points and I didn't. The difference wasn't the fact we were both active duty but the fact that he had already once reenlisted and I had only extended on my contract. If your husband had already re-upped once then he should have been privledged to the points because he had already been technically discharged already and then joined back up.

[CRW]

If he re-upped he should have received an honorable discharge certificate. If he is still active he needs to give a copy of that discharge certificate along with a letter from his commanding officer which states he is in good standing and is due to be discharged honorably when his current enlistment is up. I spent 9 years in and re-upped once. The discharge certificate from my first enlistment allowed me to add the veterans points while still on active duty. Don't be afraid to contact the SPB in person. They set the rules on stuff like this not the patrol. I contacted the SPB and found out about the letter from my commanding officer. One more thing, the letter has to be on his current commands letterhead. Good luck.

[makakona]

well, this is all water under the bridge, as he's well past that point, haha. i just never understood why he didn't get the points. he forwarded paperwork after the first denial and was yet again denied the points. just didn't make sense... :biggrin:shock:ubt:

[goshbeeve]

I'm not sure where you're getting your information. I was in the Air Force for 10 years and was active duty down at Vandenberg AFB at the time I applied for my Veterans Preference Points which I DID get even before getting out. You should only need to serve 181 days of active duty and been honorably discharged (one of several qualifications). Look at the back of this application form to see what the requirements are. It sounds like you are getting the run around.

http://www.spb.ca.gov/Employment/documents/spb1093.pdf

Here is the web site where I got the form:

http://www.cdva.ca.gov/cdva/benefits.asp#pref

Hope this helps.

[makakona]

I'm not sure where you're getting your information. I was in the Air Force for 10 years and was active duty down at Vandenberg AFB at the time I applied for my Veterans Preference Points which I DID get even before getting out. You should only need to serve 181 days of active duty and been honorably discharged (one of several qualifications). Look at the back of this application form to see what the requirements are. It sounds like you are getting the run around.

http://www.spb.ca.gov/Employment/documents/spb1093.pdf

Here is the web site where I got the form:

http://www.cdva.ca.gov/cdva/benefits.asp#pref

Hope this helps.

you didn't quote anyone and i was the last one who posted, so i assume this is all meant for me?

the information came directly from whatever the name of the state board is who decides vpp. my husband applied while he was still active duty. he had served for eight years at that point, and had been honorably discharged once, as a part of his reenlistment. he was actually even past the date of his current enlistment when he applied.

like i said, it's water under the bridge as he is well past that point. i was just looking for some personal input. according to the paperwork, he qualified, but the board disagreed.

[SR-25]

This is what it says on the CHP website...

I have a few more years left on my contract in the military. Can I test now for the CHP or do I have to wait?

Now is the time to begin testing for the CHP. If you are active duty military and are offered a position as a CHP Cadet, the California Government Code provides that you may enter the next available Academy class or defer entry for up to eight years (or up to three years after leaving the military), provided you pass the written examination prior to your 36th birthday.

My question is, can you apply before your 21, as long as your 21 when you get out of the military?

[CaliforniaHighwayPatrol]

I don't know about the military part but you have to be 20 by the written exam.

[Your Mentor]

Makakona,
I know it's a lame technicality but you aren't a veteran by military standards unless you are separated from the military. If you test while on active duty, I imagine you don't get the points because you're not a real veteran yet. Does that make sense? I know we commonly think of anyone who has seen action as a vet whether they're still on active duty or not. Don't quote me on this but it may be why I didn't get the points when I tested. Trust me though; going into a QAP interview in a full dress uniform has more impact than a measely five points.

[makakona]

Makakona,
I know it's a lame technicality but you aren't a veteran by military standards unless you are separated from the military. If you test while on active duty, I imagine you don't get the points because you're not a real veteran yet. Does that make sense? I know we commonly think of anyone who has seen action as a vet whether they're still on active duty or not. Don't quote me on this but it may be why I didn't get the points when I tested. Trust me though; going into a QAP interview in a full dress uniform has more impact than a measely five points.

"lame" is right! i can understand if it's the first enlistment, but if you've reenlisted, you've been discharged at some point.

my husband didn't wear a uniform to his interview. he figured they already knew he was military and it's harder for a military guy to wear a nice suit than a dress uniform. :smile: