VSE Corporation Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements, Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair value adjustment included in earnings	$ 1,400
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of the period	19,844
Fair value adjustment included in earnings	(1,384)
Balance as of ending of the period	18,460
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Current Portion [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of the period	9,678
Fair value adjustment included in earnings	(1,663)
Balance as of ending of the period	8,015
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Long-term Portion [Member]
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of the period	10,166
Fair value adjustment included in earnings	279
Balance as of ending of the period	$ 10,445