I'm a non veteran civilian employee at the VA within Contracting. I've worked at the same office for an extensive amount of time and I've been very successful in my work assignments, education, certificates, appraisals, etc. from the start. It is very clear to my peers, direct management and management beyond that I grasp everything quickly and with a clear understanding. When it came time to be eligible to apply for an advancement opportunity within my office years ago I was referred and interviewed. The advancement is what i would consider to be low level for my area of NJ so it should b