Veterans Preference for OEF, OIF Service

More service members are now eligible for veterans’ preference when applying for government civilian jobs said the Office of Personnel Management in a recent memo. The fiscal 2006 Defense Authorization Act contained two provisions that broadened the definition of a “veteran” and clarified eligibility for those released or discharged from active duty. The first gives preference to those who have served on active duty for a period of more than 180 consecutive days, any part of which occurred during the period beginning Sept. 11, 2001, and ending at the close of Operation Iraqi Freedom, regardless of location, provided they meet other eligibility conditions. The second provision clarifies veterans’ preference eligibility for individuals “who are discharged or released from active-duty service”, provided that they, too, meet other eligibility requirements. In the past, the statement only gave eligibility to “individuals separated from the armed forces.” Visit www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/.