The Army has sent out guidance to its components designed to encourage the use of several career development programs for its employees in the wake of the general hiring freeze caused by sequestration.
The Army noted that under prior guidance, there is an exception to the freeze for employees in long-term training who have placement rights on completion of the training.
The new guidance notes that the Army is accepting applicants from the GS-14 and -15 levels and equivalents for its Senior Enterprise Talent Management Program. It also cited the availability of the Senior Service Colleges and Defense Senior Leader Development Program.
It added that there are some special considerations to take into account, including whether it is expected that the employee will return to the same position. In those cases, a temporary reassignment or promotion of someone else would preferable to recruiting for a permanent employee, it says.
The guidance is here: http://cpol.army.mil/library/general/2013sequestration/20130612-DASA-CQ-Memo-Backfill-Vacancies.pdf