Thread: Wanted to clarify GS question..

Hello,

I am currently in the National Guard coming off active duty a few years ago. There are a few possible GS positions I may be looking at in the Department of State, or VA. Now I understand you cannot be active Duty to accept any of these positions, but just so I can clarify, can you still stay in the Guard or Reserves and take on another federal job as a GS?

I'm a little confused by whether you are using GS to refer to a job under the General Schedule of federal pay (as in GS -1801 -7 - pay table, position classifcation, and level of pay) or to a Group Supervisor position (GS Joe Smith, GS-1811-14). I presume General Schedule, but you mention Department of State which is under a different pay schedule, Foreign Service or FS.

Generally in the Feds, all but a few are General Schedule, whether they are clerks, personnel specialists or criminal investigators.

However, also in general the Feds are very friendly to inactive reserve status, fully prepared to deal with the weekend and two week obligations and even with recalls to active service. Many Feds accumulate both civilian and military retirements. Do some searching on "military reserves" on the forum and you can find a lot of detail. However, generally is not everywhere so as you look at possible Fed employment, you'll want to check if an agency you are looking at has a prohibition against such service. For a lot of years the FBI and USSS were not allowed to serve although that has loosened up. Most places it is not a problem, but check. Where it is okay; it is okay for rank and file, supervisory and management folks.

Yes you can be a GS employee and be in the guard or reserves. HR will ask you this question (and it is not a dis-qualifier). Just know, that you will not get GS pay while doing your drill time unless you take leave. Most reservist/guards that i know, save their leave for their drill time.

fasto, welcome aboard but please check the rules about posting to old threads.

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