Final answer:
Veterans' Preference is granted to applicants who have served in the military during certain periods or campaigns, have an honorable discharge, and meet other service conditions. Veterans' Preference helps mitigate historical mishandling and unwieldy government regulations, acknowledging the sacrifices made by servicemembers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Veterans' Preference Eligibility
An applicant is entitled to Veterans' Preference when applying for federal jobs if they meet specific criteria set by law to honor their service and sacrifice. The eligibility often depends on several factors such as the nature of their discharge (e.g., honorable), duration of service, and whether they have a service-connected disability. Specifically, veterans are granted preference if they have served during certain designated wartime periods or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized. The preference is given in the form of points added to a scored civil service exam or a priority in hiring processes for jobs within the federal government.
However, there have been instances of mishandling and bureaucratic hurdles. For instance, historically some veterans faced challenges due to unwieldy government regulations which led to the denial of pensions for technical reasons such as not proving six months' continuous service.
Moreover, the Veterans Administration has recognized the importance of reintegrating veterans into civilian life and provides certain benefits to facilitate that transition. While VA benefits are a separate matter from Veterans' Preference in employment, they also support the recognition of veterans' service. The Veterans' Preference is a testament to upholding our honor towards those who have served the nation.