Veterans' benefits

If you separated from a uniformed service, but are not retired, you may receive full annual leave credit for service performed under honorable conditions. The annual leave you earn each pay period is based on the years of service. Military personnel who retire from uniformed service are generally not eligible for annual leave accrual credit.

Separated, but not retired, military members can use their service for credit toward civilian retirement by making a 3 percent deposit to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).

Retired military members can use their service toward civilian retirement by making a deposit to the retirement fund and waiving their military retirement pay at their civilian retirement. If a military retiree wants to keep their military retirement pay, they can’t use the military service toward civilian retirement.

Full-time employees serving in the National Guard or the Reserves for active duty or training accrue 15 days (120 hours) of military leave each fiscal year. Accrual rates for part-time employees are prorated. You can carry up to 120 unused military leave hours into the new fiscal year. Employees on military leave receive civilian and military pay.

If you are required for emergency duty (for law enforcement or the protection of life and property) as ordered by the president or a state governor, or in support of contingency operations as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(A)(13), you receive some military benefits.

You can earn up to 22 days of leave per calendar year. Leave cannot be carried over into the next calendar year.

Civilian salary is reduced by the amount of pay for the days of military leave. You may choose to take annual instead of military leave and receive both military and civilian pay.

We are a proud participant of Operation Warfighter. Operation Warfighter supports recovering service members convalescing at military centers by identifying temporary internship assignments and career opportunities—benefiting both the service member and CIA.

Participants in Operation Warfighter work outside of the medical center environment and gain career experience using their military and non-military skills. Work schedules are flexible to accommodate medical treatment and recuperation. Generally, participants work about 20 hours each week and are paid by their respective armed service organization.

Eligible participants are:

• Wounded, ill, or injured active-duty service members, mobilized reservists or national guardsmen
• Assigned to a Warrior Transition Unit
• Located in the Washington, D.C. area

All internship opportunities require a Top-Secret security clearance.

There is no promise of permanent employment when you complete a military assignment. However, we encourage participants with appropriate education, training and experience separating from the military to consider a full-time position at CIA.

For more information about the Operation Warfighter Program, contact the Operation Warfighter Regional Coordinator at your local medical center. Operation Warfighter is operated in conjunction with the Department of War and overseen administratively by the Defense Intelligence Agency.