Federal employment questions & concerns.

[obieone]

I just filled out an application for federal employment at the local military base. It's an hourly position, I assume, since that's how salary is stated.
The questions and concerns I have are:

Does getting layed off constitute a firing?

The job was originally posted last July, and now the position is open again, so how do I find out the skinny on how it became available again?

Should I be concerned with getting laid off after the next inaugration?

It's a supervisory position, so do I have to join a union?

Thanks for any feedback

[zingo]

Does getting layed off constitute a firing?

No

The job was originally posted last July, and now the position is open again, so how do I find out the skinny on how it became available again?

I would ask in the interview.

Should I be concerned with getting laid off after the next inaugration?

I wouldn't think so.

It's a supervisory position, so do I have to join a union?

Not with any of the unions I have known or been a part of.