Veterans' Preference gives eligible veterans preference in appointment over many other applicants. Veterans' preference applies to all new appointments in the competitive service and many in the excepted service. Veterans' preference does not guarantee veterans a job and it does not apply to internal agency actions such as promotions, transfers, reassignments and reinstatements.
Understanding how veterans' preference works can be a challenge. In accordance with Title 5, United States Code, Section 2108 (5 USC 2108) veterans' preference eligibility can be based on dates of active duty service, receipt of a campaign badge, receipt of a Purple Heart or a service-connected disability. Please know that not all active duty service may qualify for veterans' preference.
Only veterans discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions are eligible for veterans' preference. Under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, an individual who has reason to believe they will be entitled to veterans’ preference upon discharge may apply for a position in advance of the discharge and receive consideration as preference eligible if the service member is able to provide certification that they are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days from the date of the certification. The circumstances of the discharge will be verified at the time of actual appointment.
If a veteran is a "retired member of the armed forces", they are not included in the definition of preference eligible unless they are a disabled veteran OR they retired below the rank of major or its equivalent.
There are basically three types of preference eligibility: sole survivorship (0 point preference eligible), non-disabled (5 point preference eligible) and disabled (10 point preference eligible).
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