Almost a quarter of all Veterans in the United States — 4.7 million — return from active military careers to reside in rural communities. At VA, we work to meet these Veterans where they live, and promote opportunities to find happy homes in these rural communities around the country.
These rural communities offer a number of benefits. You may find an opportunity to be closer to family and friends or enjoy a greater sense of privacy. Perhaps the lower cost of living or even the allure of open space appeals to you.
Today, we’ll head south to Oklahoma and explore the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center.
Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center
Located in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center is part of the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System. The facility was originally founded in the 1920s, built to take care of Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas Veterans of World War I.
In 1930, when President Herbert Hoover created the Veterans Administration, the federal government renamed the hospital “Veterans Administration Hospital, Muskogee, Oklahoma.”
On Nov. 30, 2006, the facility was renamed, becoming the first VA medical center named for a Native American. In this, VA chose to honor Jack Cleveland Montgomery, a U.S. Army officer and a member of the Cherokee nation.
Montgomery served in World War II, and received several military decorations for his actions, including 2 Purple Hearts, 2 Silver Stars, and the Medal of Honor—the United States’ highest award for valor in action against an enemy.
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee has played a significant role in Oklahoma and American history.
Located along the Arkansas River, Muskogee sprung to life as a railway station when the Missouri-Kansas and Texas Railroad became the first rail line to cross through the territory in 1872. It took very little time for railroad workers, bridge builders, boarding house owners, and homesteaders—as well as a few bootleggers and outlaws—to forge a unique community.
Named for the Creek Tribe, the town rapidly grew into the region’s most important city when the U.S. government established the Union Agency for the Five Civilized Tribes in 1875, and later hosted a Native American tribal gathering to write a constitution for the State of Sequoyah.
Muskogee has grown to become one of Oklahoma’s finest small cities and is a source of pride for the region’s residents. For them, the city’s history is a combination of how the community was built, the diverse groups of people that came before, and the strength and determination that made the city what it is today.
Jobs at Jack C. Montgomery VAMC
Today, the health care system remains dedicated to providing quality health care to more than 52,000 Veterans in eastern Oklahoma at the VAMC and several outpatient clinics around the region, offering plenty of opportunities to bring your career to VA.
Right now, there are many openings at the facility, including several non-clinical jobs open to the public:
On the clinical side, the facility is looking for:
Whatever role is right for you, you’ll be able to take advantage of numerous benefits that will change not only your career, but your personal life as well.
At VA, our employees receive 13 to 26 paid vacation/personal days, 13 sick days annually with no limit on accumulation, and 11 paid federal holidays each year, so your schedule can be balanced with your personal priorities.
We also offer a variety of health plans, and all cover preexisting conditions. Additionally, we pay up to 75% of health premiums, a benefit that can continue into retirement, making our insurance some of the best you’ll find.
And when you’re ready for a new challenge, we offer ongoing leadership development through every level of employment, whether it is mandatory programs or competitive opportunities. We also have resources that make it easier for you to continue your education if you choose.
Work at VA
Find a community that’s right for you, and help us promote the health and well-being of rural Veterans with a career at VA.
- LEARN more about our work with rural Veterans.
- EXPLORE the benefits of working at VA.
- SEARCH for your new career.
NOTE: Positions listed in this post were open at the time of publication. All current available positions are listed at USAJOBS.gov.
