Q: For 12 years I was a federal police lieutenant (GS-083) working for the Defense Department at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, California. In 1997, I was offered and approved for the VISP/VERA program. The government had purchased my primary residence at mortgage value as part of the package. They also provided me a severance package as well as all of my retirement contributions. I was 37 when I left government service. Since I was a career civil servant that left under the VISP/VERA program, does the above separation mean that I am retired from civil service? And if so, since I left government service with an unblemished career record, would I qualify for a retired department ID?
A: Your question can only be answered by your former employer at China Lake or, if there’s any uncertainty, by a higher-level official in the Navy.
