The fiscal 2006 Defense authorization act contains
two provisions extending veterans’ preference rights
to Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Office of Personnel
Management has said in a memo to chief human capital
officers and veterans service organizations.
OPM said that the first provision gives preference
to those who served on active duty beginning September
11, 2001 and ending at the close of Operation Iraqi
Freedom. The second provision clarifies veterans’
preference eligibility for federal hiring as available
to individuals “who are discharged or released from
active duty service” provided they meet other
eligibility requirements.
That new language replaces “individuals separated from
the armed forces,” and OPM said it was revising its
regulations and web-based guidance to reflect the changes.
The guidance can be found here:
http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp#2Types.