Careers at SSA: Veterans

Success Stories

The stories below highlight the success of veterans within SSA. For more information on career opportunities for veterans, visit Careers at SSA: Veterans.

Select a name below to shortcut to the corresponding story or scroll to see all the success stories:

Herbert Jackson

IT Specialist
Office of the Inspector General

“After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, following 22 years of service, the Social Security Administration has given me a chance to continue serving the U.S. public. As a whole, the Social Security Administration makes a difference in the lives of millions of people daily through a variety of programs designed to provide some form of assistance to qualifying recipients. It is a joy knowing that the applications I work on, with the help of SSA Field Office Representatives, have direct impacts on beneficiaries across the country and I am delighted that I am a part of this team.”

Felipe Vazquezcotto

Human Resources Specialist
Office of Human Resources

“A year after retiring from the U.S. Army from a 20-year carrier in Human Resources, I decided to continue serving my fellow Americans by joining the Social Security Administration. I decided to start my second career as a Human Resources Specialist at the Social Security Administration because here we touch every citizen’s life. It is very important for me to keep helping the country and people that I love for years to come.”

ML Jordan

Management Analyst
Office of External Affairs

“Working at SSA has allowed me to continue being a part of something bigger than myself and in some small way help Make a Difference in the lives of our nation’s heroes. I work in the Office of Communications’ Office of External Affairs. We are responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with national organizations, advocacy groups, federal agencies, state and local governments, and tribal governments. I work with Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) which allow me to Make a Difference by educating my fellow veterans on the Social Security benefits available to them. I had the opportunity to participate in an United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). The work group helped disabled homeless people, including veterans, gain access to Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits.”

Milton McGaskey

Management Analyst
Office of Human Resources

"The Social Security Administration (SSA) makes a difference with its dedication to helping Veterans enter the federal workforce. SSA understood my technical, personal, and leadership skills when reviewing my qualifications, and placed me in a position to best utilize the skills I learned in the Army. Working in the Office of Civil Right and Equal Opportunity (OCREO) as a Management Analyst has enabled me to use my math and Human Resources background. I have participated in a few high level projects with the agency including Workforce Profiles, Management Directive 715, and the SSA's Equal Employment Opportunity Statistical Report (462) to name a few."

Jennifer Bruce

Claims Authorizer
Office of Central Operations

"As a disabled veteran, I made a difference by assisting with establishing VMAAC, a veterans advisory council to unite the veterans voice within the agency. I try to make a difference in everything I do, from assisting other veterans, reviewing and commenting on their resumes, and presenting SSA-45 workshops on special hiring authorities. I found early on in my career that I did not have to be a decision maker to make the decision to give back and make a difference! So to assist both managers and veterans in their understanding of PTSD I present on the symptoms, effects, and ways to work with an employee who has PTSD."

Sheila Palmer

Claims Specialist
Office of Central Operations

"Working as a Claims Representative for Social Security Administration means I have public contact daily. I enjoy hearing the stories of those claimants who have served, in all branches of the military. As a Marine, I especially love when they are able to share with me a personal encounter they experienced during the service. Once I express, I served in the Marine Corps, they take delight even more in showing their pride. It makes me feel good to serve the public. At the end of each interview, I loved being able to say “thanks for sharing and thanks for your service.” It really makes my day at SSA."

Edward Schmid

IT Specialist
Office of Central Operations

"After 20 years of U.S. Army service and dedication to a mission and my fellow soldiers, I sought a position that offered a similar focus. Government employment fit the bill. Here at SSA where I started as a claim representative and transitioned to my career goal of IT Specialist, I was able to continue to serve, working with colleagues to improve service to beneficiaries and fellow employees of SSA. Working at SSA has been a privilege and pleasure, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have enjoyed with the agency."

Marcia Hawkins

Human Resources Specialist
Office of Human Resources

"In the Marine Corps my duty and honor was to protect our country from enemies both foreign and domestic. As HR Specialists with the Center for Suitability and Personnel Security, it is my duty and honor to protect this agency by assessing and adjudicating an employee’s suitability / fitness for government employment. I am proud to do my part to protect SSA!"