FAQs

In 1978, the Civil Service Reform Act amended the employment preference for retired officers by denying it to those retiring at the rank of major (O-4) and above.

No. Your veterans' preference does not apply to internal agency actions such as promotions, transfers, reassignments and reinstatements

Yes – You can request a “certification”, that is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed.

The OPM website has a wealth of information for individuals interested in Schedule A for Persons with Disabilities appointments.  Visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/getting-a-job/#url+Schedule-A-Hiring-Authority

Preference eligibles are divided into five basic groups as follows:

1. CPS - Disability rating of 30% or more (10 points)
2. CP - Disability rating of at least 10% but less than 30% (10 points)
3. XP - Disability rating less than 10% (10 points)
4. TP - Preference eligibles with no disability rating (5 points)
5. SSP - Sole Survivorship Preference (0 points)

These codes are used to designate on rating sheets and certificates the category of veterans’ preference to which an applicant is entitled.

No. Federal regulations only allows for prior Federal service in the same agency and in the same line of work.

Most positions within the Federal government can be found on the USAJOBS website: www.usajobs.gov. Additionally, individual agency websites may list employment opportunities.

Your military pay, grade, and rank alone cannot determine your eligibility for a specific civilian salary, grade level, or pay range.  On your job application, it is important that you completely and accurately describe the duties you performed during your military service, particularly those military duties that relate directly to the position you are applying for.  The agency will then evaluate your qualifications to determine whether you are eligible for the occupation and grade levels advertised on the vacancy announcement. Please be sure to submit all requested documents in a timely manner and follow the application procedures described in the vacancy announcement.

Qualified preference eligibles may apply and be considered for vacancies regardless of whether they meet the maximum age requirements identified at 5 U.S.C. 3307, unless the hiring agency has determined age is essential to the duties of the job.

Congress determines eligibility for veterans’ preference through law in 5 USC 2108. However, the Federal agency to which a veteran applies for employment will adjudicate claims for veterans’ preference.  The agency will request a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other acceptable documentation in order to adjudicate claims for veterans' preference.

Yes. The President declared the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom August 31, 2010.

A felony conviction does not automatically make one unsuitable for Federal employment.  When making a suitability determination, an agency will evaluate the individual’s character traits and decide whether their employment or continued employment would or would not protect the integrity or promote the efficiency of the service.   Suitability determinations are made on a case by case basis for covered positions that are subject to investigation.  Covered positions are those in the competitive Federal service, those in the excepted service that noncompetitively convert to the competitive service, or career appointments to positions in the Senior Executive Service.   

0-point preference is a category for veterans released or discharged from active duty from the armed forces, after August 29, 2008, by reason of a “sole survivorship discharge.”  No points are added to the passing score or rating of a veteran who is the only surviving child in a family in which the father or mother or one or more siblings:

1. Served in the armed forces, and
2. Was killed, died as a result of wounds, accident, or disease, is in a captured or missing in action status, or is permanently 100 percent disabled or hospitalized on a continuing basis (and is not employed gainfully because of the disability or hospitalization), where
3. The death, status, or disability did not result from the intentional misconduct or willful neglect of the parent or sibling and was not incurred during a period of unauthorized absence.

The veteran must have been discharged under an honorable or general discharge.

No. There is no limit to the number of times you can apply for positions when agencies are accepting applications as a 30% or more disabled veteran.

You may file a complaint with the Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service.  This is the agency designated by law, to investigate violations of veterans’ preference.  Information on how to file a complaint may be found at: http://www.dol.gov/elaws/vetspref.htm