# Veterans Navigate Federal Contracting Eligibility

A Marine Corps reservist reported being denied an opportunity to enter contracting after being told reserve service did not count as military service. The discussion does not establish the employer’s eligibility rules or whether the denial concerned a job, a veteran-owned business certification, or a procurement set-aside. It highlights an important distinction for contractors: military service is not generally a prerequisite to pursuing federal contracts, while veteran-status criteria may apply to particular jobs or SBA certification pathways. The commenter recommends confirming the basis for the denial; SAM.gov registration and free APEX Accelerator assistance are cited as resources for businesses entering federal procurement.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Published:** October 28, 2026

### Government Entities
- United States Marine Corps (USMC)
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

### Key Quotes
> You don't actually need military service to get government contracts, so I'd double-check what exactly got denied.
> — Commenter

### Sources
- [I’m in a dumb predicament. I’m trying to get into contracting. Just got denied because being in the USMC Reserve doesn’t count towards any military service. So last 7 years in the infantry are essentially a waste of time.](https://www.reddit.com/r/GovernmentContracting/comments/1xi2s7w/im_in_a_dumb_predicament_im_trying_to_get_into) - reddit-governmentcontracting