Everyone serving in careers at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) appreciates the special responsibilities involved in serving and caring for Veterans.

One employee responsible for adding greater depth to that understanding is Barbara C. Morton, who was honored last month with a Gears of Government Award for her work improving the delivery of customer service to Veterans as Deputy Chief of the Veterans Experience Office (VEO).

“What we’re doing now is really trying to make space and make room for the experience,” she said in a video about the award. She said that means “making sure that we’re treating Veterans and their families in a way that resonates with them.”

Morton, a Massachusetts native who joined VA in 2006, has headed the VEO since 2016. She leads a staff responsible for listening to Veterans’ concerns and improving their every interaction with VA. Among other work, the office conducts interviews with employees, providers and Veterans to understand their concerns and provides tools for employees to use to build respect and trust.

The Gears of Government Award recognizes individuals and teams across the federal workforce who make a big difference in the lives of the American people on issues related to their agency’s mission, customer service or overall accountability. Each May, officials with the Executive Office of the President present recipients with the award at a ceremony.

“It’s been a really exciting time for us, again, to fold the voice of the Veteran in what we do up front to deliver better services and outcomes for them,” Morton said. “And that to me is what experience is all about — making Veterans and their family members feel cared for and like we’ve got their back,” Morton said.

Choose VA today 

Are you interested in improving the Veterans’ experience at VA? Choose a VA career, and receive the reward of serving those who have served in a job that offers these additional perks:

  • Ability to serve at locations across the United States and the territories with one active license.
  • From 36 to 49 days off, depending on specific leave tiers.
  • A strong starting salary; competitive compensation based on education, training and experience; and a bundle of benefits.
  • Periodic pay raises that address inflation and local market changes.
  • Incentive and performance awards, including superior performance awards, special contribution awards, quality step increases, VA honor awards, nonmonetary recognition and Title 38 awards.
  • Extra pay for extra work with premium pay for overtime, Saturday, Sunday, holiday, on-call and night work.
  • Premium-support group health insurance, including dental, vision and long-term care, which may become effective on the first full pay period after you start.

See if a career with VA is the right choice for you.

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2 Comments

  1. James Tobleck June 23, 2019 at 12:24

    Well now Ms. Morton with all the censorship your one of the problems . Congratulations, just another VA beauracratic bum.

  2. James Tobleck June 23, 2019 at 12:21

    Deputy Chief Morton, I tried sending you a post but as usuall VA blocked it. Ive been asking for Inspector General intervention dealing with 43 years of West Michigan VA health care mistakes, delayed for decades treatment thus still waiting. Directors falsifying records. Outright lieing to Veterans at VFW meetings and 2 months ago due to her greed for promotion, bonuses, caused my near death due to sepsis. In fact. If i hadnt been seen by a lab tec who thought i was having a heart attack and sending me to U.of M. hospital by ambulance where the sepsis was diagnosed I’d be dead now. As a side note ive sent, handed in the bill that Susan Honikor knows about at least 8 times now for the failed root canal plugged by my dentist. Seens all VA paid for was the drilling of the hole by another dentist. Over and over infected and more abd more antibiotics. Recipe for disaster, SEPSIS!

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