Vet Preference Guidance Issued for Medal Recipients

The Office of Personnel Management has issued guidance for benefits associated with the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals. Receipt of the Expeditionary Medal qualifies veterans for veterans’ preference, provided the individual is otherwise eligible, and the Service Medal qualifies vets for a Veterans’ Readjustment Appointment. Those with a service-connected disability or who have received a Purple Heart are entitled to a 10-point vet preference. The Expeditionary Medal will be awarded to those deployed overseas post-9/11 and up to a future date as yet undetermined. Initial award is limited to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, while the initial award of the Service Medal is limited to domestic airport security operations and those in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Iraqi Freedom.