guide to veterans’ preference...the veteran’s disqualification is presumed if he/she is...

Guide to Veterans’ Preference

fastyeti, inc.S E L F - D I R E C T E D S E R V I C E T E C H N O L O G Y

F E D E R A L • S T A T E • L O C A L

A P U B L I C A T I O N O F

Copyright 2016, FastYeti Incorporated. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint, extract from, display to others, or distribute must be granted in writing.

2Copyright 2016, FastYeti Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Permission to reprint, extract from, display to others, or distribute must be granted in writing.

Up front aboutVeterans’ Preference:

what every Veteran should know✔

• Youmustapplyforapositiontobeconsideredandhaveveterans’preferenceapplied

• Yourmilitaryservicemustmeetqualifyingcriteriasuchasactivedutyduringaspecificwar,ordur-

ingacampaignorerathathasbeendesignatedaseligibleforveterans’preference

• Receiptofanexpeditionaryorcampaignmedalcanbequalifying;newcampaigns,expeditions,or

conflictsareaddedperiodically

• MilitaryretireeundertherankofMajororequivalent(belowO4)maybeeligibleforveterans’pref-

erence

• Militaryretireeattherankofmajor,lieutenantcommanderorhigher(O4andabove)mustbeadis-

abledveterantobeeligibleforveterans’preference(Exception:Reservecomponentretirees(O4and

above)whowillnotbegindrawingmilitaryretiredpayuntilage60arenotrequiredtobedisabled

toreceivepreference)

• YourdischargeorreleasefromactivedutyintheArmedForcesmustbeunderhonorableconditions

(i.e.,anhonorableorgeneraldischarge)

• IfyouenlistedinaregularcomponentoftheArmedForcesafterSeptember7,1980,youmusthave

completedacontinuousperiodofactivedutyofatleast24monthsorthefullperiodyouwerecalled

ororderedtoactiveduty(withminimalexceptionsforearlydischargeordisability)

• IfyouenteredactivedutyafterOctober16,1981,youmusthavecompletedacontinuousperiodof

activedutyofatleast24monthsorthefullperiodyouwerecalledororderedtoactivedutyunless

youhadalreadysatisfiedthe24-monthcontinuousactivedutyrequirement(withminimalexcep-

tionsforearlydischargeordisability)

• The“preferencepoints”areaddedtoapassingexaminationscoreorrating,afterallbasicormini-

mumqualificationrequirementsaremet

• Iftheagencyuses“categories”tolistqualifiedapplicants—applicantswithveterans’preferenceare

listedaheadofotherqualifiedapplicantswithinthesame“qualitycategory”

• Veterans’Preferencedoesnotguaranteeafederalcivilianjob

• Federalagenciesarenotrequiredtouseanyparticularappointmentprocessorlegalauthoritytofill

anopenposition.Agenciescanfillapositionthroughaninternalpromotion,transfer,reassignment,

orreinstatementofaformerFederalemployee.Inthesecases,veterans’preferencedoesnotapply

3Copyright 2016, FastYeti Incorporated. All rights reserved.Permission to reprint, extract from, display to others, or distribute must be granted in writing.

I N T R O D U C T I O N

VeteransoftheArmedForceshavebeengivensomedegreeofpreferenceinappointmentstoFederal

jobssincethetimeoftheCivilWar.Veterans’PreferenceinitspresentformoriginatedintheVeterans’

PreferenceActof1944.

Veterans’Preferencerecognizeseconomiclosssufferedbycitizenswhoservedourcountryinuniform,

restoresveteranstoafavorablecompetitivepositionforFederalemployment,andacknowledgesthe

largerobligationowedtodisabledveterans.PresidentObamasignedExecutiveOrder(EO)13518on

November9,2009,establishingtheVeteransEmploymentInitiative.TheEOfocusedonseveralthemes:

(1)theFederalGovernmentmustassistveteransinre-enteringcivilianlifeandfindingemployment;(2)

veteranspossessawidevarietyofskillsandexperienceandaremotivatedbypublicservice;and(3)the

FederalGovernmentwillhelpleadbyexampleinpromotingveterans’employment.

Eligibleveteranscanreceivepreferencewhencompetingforfederalpermanentandtemporaryposi-

tions.Thehiringagency’shumanresourceofficeisresponsibleforverifyingeligibilityandassignedthe

appropriatelevelofpreference.

TherearecurrentlythreecategoriesofVeterans’Preference,referredtoas0-point(SSP),5-point(TP),

and10-pointpreference(CP,CPS,andXP).Thelettersfollowingeachcategory(e.g.,SSP,TP)areashort-

handreferenceusedbyagencyhumanresourceofficesandTheOfficeofPersonnelManagement(OPM).

P R E F E R E N C E C A T E G O R I E S D E F I N E D

0-point preference – Sole Survivorship (SSP)

Aveterans’preferenceeligibilitycategoryforveteransdischargedorreleasedearlyfor“solesurvivor-

ship”wascreatedAugust29,2008,byPublicLaw100-317.

Whilethispreferencegivesnoadditionalpoints,therearebenefits:

1. Listedaheadofnon-veteranswiththesameexaminationscore(ifexaminationisused)or

2. Listedaheadofnon-veteransinthesamequalitycategory(ifcategoriesareused)

3. Entitledtothesame“passover”rightsasotherveterans.Generally,thismeansanagencycannot

“skipover”thequalifiedveteranandchooseanothercandidate.Exceptionsaregovernedbylaw

(5USC3318)

4. EntitledtocreditmilitaryexperiencetomeetthequalificationrequirementsoftheFederaljobap-

pliedfor

Solesurvivorshipisdefinedaswhentheveteranistheonlysurvivingchildinafamilyinwhich

Thefatherormotherorsibling(s):

• ServedintheArmedForces,and


• Waskilledordiedasaresultofwounds,accidentordiseaseor

• Isinacapturedormissinginaction(MIA)status,or

• ispermanently100-percentdisabled(andisnotgainfullyemployedbecauseofthedisability)or

• ishospitalizedonacontinuingbasis(andisnotgainfullyemployedbecauseofthehospitalization),

where

• thedeath,status,ordisabilitywasnottheresultof:

• intentionalmisconduct

• willfulneglect

• wasnotincurredduringaperiodofunauthorizedabsence(AWOL)

5-point preference – Based on Active Duty Service (TP)

Thereare6periodsofactivedutyservicethatqualifyfor5-pointveterans’preference.Forthefirstthree

periodsofservicedescribedbelow,youmusthaveservedonactivedutyanddischargedorreleasedun-

derhonorableconditions.Forthesethreeperiodsofservice,activedutyincludesactivedutyfortraining,

fordeterminingphysicalfitness,andserviceintheReservesorNationalGuard:

1. activedutyserviceduringawar(WWIIisthelastrecognizedwarforveterans’preference);or

2. activedutyserviceinacampaignorexpeditionforwhichacampaignmedalhasbeenauthorized,or

3. activedutyserviceduringtheperiodApril28,1952,throughJuly1,1955;

Forthelast3periodsofactivedutyservicedescribedbelow,youmayberequiredtosatisfyadditional

requirementsinordertobegrantedveterans’preference.Asabove,youmusthaveservedonactive

dutyandbeendischargedorreleasedunderhonorableconditions.Fortheseperiodsofservice,active

dutydoesnotincludeactivedutyfortraining,determiningphysicalfitness,andserviceintheReserves

orNationalGuard.FR7364179datedOctober29,2008;5CFR211.102(a)(4),(5),(6)

Dependinguponwhenyouenlistedorenteredactiveduty,youhavetheadditionalrequirementof24

monthscontinuousactivedutyserviceorthefullperiodoftimecalled/orderedtoactiveduty:

– Ifenlistedinregularcomponent[notGuard/Reserve]afterSeptember7,1980,or

– EnteredactivedutyonorafterOctober14,1982,and:

• Hadnotpreviouslycompleted24monthsactivedutyor

• asdischargedfromactivedutyearlyunder10USC1171or10USC1173

4. activedutyserviceofmorethan180consecutivedays(otherthanfortraining),anypartofwhich

occurredafterJanuary31,1955,andbeforeOctober15,1976,or

5. activedutyserviceduringtheGulfWarfromAugust2,1990,throughJanuary2,1992;or

6. activedutyserviceformorethan180consecutivedays(otherthanfortraining),anypartofwhich

occurredduringtheperiodSeptember11,2001,andAugust31,2010



10-point preference – based on disability (veteran)

or derived preference (family member) (CP, CPS, XP)

The10-pointpreferencecategoryissub-dividedintothreeareasaccordingtotheleveloftheveteran’s

disability(CP,CPS,XP).Thissubdivisionisessentiallyfortrackingpurposesforthehiringagencyand

OPM;amaximumof10-pointsareawardedinveterans’preference.The24-monthactivedutyservicere-

quirement“doesnotapplytoindividualsseeking10-pointveterans’preferenceonthebasisofaservice-

connecteddisability.”(72FR12031,March15,2007)

Thefinalareainthiscategoryisreferredtoas“derivedpreference”(alsoXP),whichcanbeclaimedby

aneligiblefamilymember.Derivedpreferenceisbasedonthemilitaryserviceofaveteranwhoisnot

abletousethepreferenceduetodisabilityordeath.Boththeveteran’smilitaryserviceandthefamily

membermustmeetallrequirements.Derivedpreferencemaybegrantedtothespouseorwidow/wid-

owerandparentonthebasisonthesameveteran’sservice,providedallrequirementsaremet.How-

ever,neitherthespousenortheparentisgrantedpreferenceiftheveteranislivingandisqualifiedfor

Federalemployment.

10-point preference (CP): Veteranhasacompensableservice-connecteddisabilityratingofatleast10

percentbutlessthan30percent.

10-point preference (CPS): Veteranhasacompensableservice-connecteddisabilityratingof30percent

ormore.

10-point preference (XP): Veteranwho:

• receivedaPurpleHeart,or

• Hasanon-compensableservice-connecteddisability,or

• receivesdisabilitycompensationfromthemilitaryortheDepartmentofVeteransAffairs(VA),or

• receivesdisabilityretirementbenefitsfromthemilitaryortheVA,or

• receivesadisabilitypensionfromthemilitaryortheVA

According to 38 USC 5303A, the “24 months of continuous active duty or the full period for which such person was called or ordered to active duty” requirement does not apply if the:• Veteran was discharged or released from active duty under 10 USC 1171 or 10 USC 1173• Veteran was discharged or released from active duty for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line

of duty• Veteran has a compensable service-connected disability under 38 USC Chapter 11


10-point preference (derived – family member) (XP)

Forderivedpreference,boththeveteranandthefamilymembermustmeetallrequirementstobe

grantedpreference.

Spouse of disabled veteran

Spouse:Mustbecurrentlymarriedtotheveteran

Veteran:

• Activedutyserviceunderhonorableconditions

• ThedisabledveteranmustbedisqualifiedforaFederalpositionorinthegovernmentoftheDistrict

ofColumbia[alongthegenerallinesofhis/herusualoccupation]becauseofaservice-connecteddis-

ability.

Theveteran’sdisqualificationispresumedifhe/sheisunemployedand

• Israted100%disabledand/orunemployablebythemilitaryortheVA,or

• Retired,separated,orresignedfromacivilservicepositiononthebasisofadisabilitythatisservice-

connectedinorigin,or

• FailedtoqualifyforanyappointmentinthecivilserviceorinthegovernmentoftheDistrictofCo-

lumbia[alongthelinesofhis/herusualoccupation]becauseofaservice-connecteddisability.

Anyothercircumstancesmustbecarefullyanalyzedbytheagencyhumanresourceofficetodetermine

ifpreferenceshouldbeallowed.

Note: “…[along the lines of his/her usual occupation]…” are words included in the Veterans Guide but do notappearin5USC2108(3)(E),whichprovidesthedefinitionof“preferenceeligible.”

Widow/Widower of deceased veteran

Thewidow/widower:

• Mustnothavebeendivorcedfromtheveteran

• Mustnothaveremarried

• Ifremarried,theremarriagewasannulled

Theveteran:

• Servedduringawar(lastrecognizedwarisWWIIforpreferencepurposes),or

• ServedduringtheperiodApril28,1952,throughJuly1,1955,or

• Servedinacampaignorexpeditionforwhichacampaignmedalhasbeenauthorized,or

• Diedwhileonactivedutythatincludedtheaboveperiodsofservice;underconditionsthatwould

havebeenthebasisofanhonorableorgeneraldischarge



Parent of a disabled veteran

Theparent:

• Spouseoftheparentistotallyandpermanentlydisabled;or

• Theparentisunmarried,or,ifmarried,islegallyseparatedfromhisorherspouseatthetimepref-

erenceisclaimed

Theveteran:

• Wasseparatedwithanhonorableorgeneraldischargefromactiveduty(includingtrainingservice

intheReservesorNationalGuard),and

• Ispermanentlyandtotallydisabledfromaservice-connectedinjuryorillness

Parent of deceased veteran

Theparent:

• Spouseoftheparentistotallyandpermanentlydisabled;or

• Theparentisunmarried,or,ifmarried,islegallyseparatedfromhisorherspouseatthetimepref-

erenceisclaimed

Theveteran:

• Diedunderhonorableconditionswhileonactiveduty:

• Duringawar(lastrecognizedwarisWWIIforpreferencepurposes),or

• DuringtheperiodApril28,1952,throughJuly1,1955,or

• Inacampaignorexpeditionforwhichacampaignmedalhasbeenauthorized

References: 5 USC 2108, 5 USC 3309, 38 USC 5303A

Public Law 114-62, effective October 7, 2015 – “Gold Star Fathers Act of 2015” amended 5 USC 2108(3) by striking and replacing paragraphs (F) and (G). Preference may now be granted for mothers and fathers ofdisabledordeceasedveteransaslongasalleligibilityrequirementsaremet.Theeffectivedateofthisamendment is 90 days after the date of enactment of the Act (January 7, 2016).

The roles of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

DoDdetermineswhetheraservicememberisunfittocontinuemilitaryservicebasedonadisability

causedbyinjury,illness,ordisease.Therearecircumstancesinwhichaservice-connecteddisabilityhas

beenidentifiedbutthemilitarydoesnotgrantadisabilityretirement.Inthesecases,theVAdetermines

thelevelorpercentageofdisabilityandwhethertheconditionordisabilityiscompensable.



Disability Ratings – DoD v. VA

DoDonlyratesmedicalconditionsthatresultintheservice-memberbeingdeterminedunfitforcontin-

uedmilitaryservice.TheVAratestheservice-member/veteranforallconditionsincurredinoraggravat-

edbymilitaryservice.Forthisreason,itisnotuncommonfortheveterantoreceiveahigherdisability

ratingfromtheVAthantheDoDcombineddisabilityrating.

Service-members who receive a DoD disability rating of 30 percent or greater are either placed on the Tem-porary Disability Retirement List (TDRL) or the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL).

TheTemporaryDisabilityRetirementList(TDRL)isalistofservicemembersfoundtobeunfitforperfor-manceofmilitarydutybyreasonofphysicaldisabilitywhichmaybepermanent,butwhichhasnotsuffi-ciently stabilized to permit an accurate assessment of a permanent degree of disability.

A disability shall be considered unstable when the preponderance of medical evidence establishes that ac-ceptedmedicalprinciplesindicatetheseverityoftheconditionwillchangewithinthenextfiveyearssoastoresultinanincreaseordecreaseofthedisabilityratingpercentageorafindingofPhysicallyFittoReturnto Active Duty.” Many conditions qualify for TDRL. Conditions the board typically considers unstable are Migraines, Asthma, Back and Neck Conditions, Nerve Damage, and Mental Disorders.

Service-membersmayremainontheTDRLforuptofiveyears.(Title10,UnitedStatesCode,Chapter61–Retirement or Separation for Physical Disability (sections 1201-1222)

Stay or Go - Medical Separation v. Retirement

Servicemembersare:

• Retiredforpermanentdisability(ifthedisabilityisrated30%ormorewithlessthan20yearsof

service);

• Retiredforpermanentdisability(withoutregardtothepercentageofdisabilityifmorethan20

yearsofservice);

• Separatedwithseverancepay(ifdisabilityisratedlessthan30%withlessthan20yearsofservice);or

• Foundphysicallyfitforreturntoactiveduty.

Supporting Documentation (Proof documents)

Theagencyhumanresourceofficemustverifymilitaryserviceandclaimedveterans’preferencepriorto

thestartdateoftheposition.Inallcases,separationdocument(s)mustbesubmitted.TheDD214“Cer-

tificateofReleaseorDischargefromActiveDuty”isthemostcommonseparationdocument.


DependingontheversiondateoftheDD214,requiredinformationmaybeshownindifferentblocks.

Forexample,thecharacterofserviceisshownononeversionoftheDD214inBlock12a;onanother

version,thecharacterofserviceisshowninBlock24.Whenthecharacterofserviceisshownonthe

bottomoftheform,asonmorerecentversionsoftheDD214form,the“longform”isrequired(generally

MemberCopy2or4).CampaignmedalsorbadgesmaybelistedinBlock13withotherawards,decora-

tionsorribbons,ormayappearinBlock18“Remarks”.

Otherdocumentsacceptedforproofofserviceincluderetirementorseparationorders,documentation

showingtransfertotheReserveCorps,acertificationofanticipateddischargethatislessthan120days

afterthecertificationwassigned,oranofficialstatementfromamilitarypersonnelrecordscenter.

Regardlessofthetypeofseparationdocumentsubmitted,thesameinformationisneededsothehuman

resourceofficecancorrectlyassesseligibilityforveteranpreference:

Additional documentation in support of 10-point preference

– based on disability (veteran) or derived preference (family member)

For the Veteran

Ifclaimingveterans’preferencebasedonadisability,theStandardForm15(SF15)Applicationfor

10-pointVeterans’Preferenceandsupportingdocumentsshouldaccompanytherésuméorapplication.

• Supporting document for Non-Compensable Service-Connected Disability (less than 10%):

Anofficialstatementdated1991orlaterfromtheArmedForcesortheDepartmentofVeteransAf-

fairscertifyingthedisability.RefertoPage2oftheSF15forexamples.

• Supporting document for receipt of Purple Heart: Anofficialcitation,documentordischarge

certificateshowingtheawardofthePurpleHeart.RefertoPage2oftheSF15forexamples.

• Supporting document for Non Service-Connected Disability Pension: Anofficialstatement

dated1991orlaterfromtheDepartmentofVeterans’Affairscertifyingreceiptofanonservice-con-

necteddisabilitypension.RefertoPage2oftheSF15forexamples.

• Supporting document for Compensable Service-Connected Disability (10% or more): An

officialdocumentdated1991orlaterfromtheDepartmentofVeterans’Affairs,orfromtheArmed

Forcescertifyingthedisability,disabilityretirement,ortransfertoaDisabilityRetirementListfora

service-connecteddisabilityof10%ormore.RefertoPage2oftheSF15forexamples.

• Dateofentry

• Dateofseparation

• Netservice(foraperiodofactiveduty

claimed)

• Totalprioractiveservice

• Component(Active,Reserve,NationalGuard)

• Characterofservice

• Dischargeauthority

• Narrativereasonfordischarge

• CampaignorExpeditionaryMedal(s)awarded



HereisanexampleofaletterfromtheDepartmentofVeteransAffairsthatdocumentsservice-connect-

eddisabilitycompensationandthepercentagedisabilitygranted.Incasesofmultiplediagnosesfor

whichserviceconnectedhasbeengranted,acombineddisabilityratingwillbeshown.


Additional Documentation For the Family Member

TheStandardForm15(SF-15)isalsousedbyapplicantstoclaimderivedveterans’preference,including

aveteran’sspouse,widow/widower,ormother.Supportingdocumentsshouldbesubmittedwiththe

SF-15whenclaimingthederivedor“familymember”preference.Page2oftheSF-15listsacceptable

documentsandexamplesofdocumentsthatprovidetherequiredinformation.

Spouse of disabled veteran

• DocumentationofCompensableService-ConnectedDisability(10%ormore)

• Documentationforveteran’sinabilitytoworkbecauseofaservice-connecteddisability

(AnswerthesevenquestionsonthebottomofPage2oftheSF-15)

Widow/Widower of deceased veteran

• Documentationoftheveteran’sserviceandseparation

• Documentationofveteran’sdeath

• Documentationofveteran’sserviceordeath:

• Duringawar

• DuringtheperiodofApril28,1952throughJuly1,1955

• Duringacampaignorexpeditionforwhichacampaignbadge[medal]isauthorized

• Documentationofannulmentofremarriagebywidow/widowerofveteran(ifapplicable)

Parent of a disabled veteran

• DocumentationofCompensableService-ConnectedDisability(10%ormore)

• Documentationofspouse’stotalandpermanentdisability

• DocumentationforVeteran’sinabilitytoworkbecauseofaservice-connecteddisability

(AnswerthesevenquestionsonthebottomofPage2oftheSF-15)

Parent of a deceased veteran

• Documentationoftheveteran’sserviceandseparation

• Documentationofveteran’sdeath

• Documentationofveteran’sserviceordeath:

• Duringawar

• DuringtheperiodofApril28,1952throughJuly1,1955

• Duringacampaignorexpeditionforwhichacampaignbadge[medal]isauthorized

• Documentationofspouse’stotalandpermanentdisability



Who has access to your information? — Privacy Act Statement for the SF15

TheVeterans’PreferenceActof1944authorizesthecollectionofthis[your]information.Theinforma-

tionwillbeused,alongwithanyaccompanyingdocumentationtodeterminewhetheryouareentitled

to10-pointveterans’preference.Thisinformationmaybedisclosedto:(1)theDepartmentofVeteranAf-

fairs,ortheappropriatebranchoftheArmedForcestoverifyyourclaim;(2)acourt,oraFederal,State,

orlocalagencyforcheckingonlawviolationsorforotherrelatedauthorizedpurposes;(3)aFederal,

State,orlocalgovernmentagency,ifyouareparticipatinginaspecialemploymentassistanceprogram;

or(4)otherFederal,State,orlocalgovernmentagencies,congressionaloffices,andinternationalorgani-

zationsforpurposesofemploymentconsideration,e.g.,ifyouareonanOfficeofPersonnelManagement

orotherlistofeligibles.Failuretoprovideanypartoftheinformationmayresultinarulingthatyou

arenoteligiblefor10-pointveterans’preference.


Veterans’ Preference Beyond the Federal Government

Whenyouhear“veterans’preference”youmaythinkitisonlyabenefitprovidedbythefederalgovern-

ment,butitissomuchmore.Manycity,county,andstategovernmentsalsoprovideveterans’prefer-

enceoffivetofifteenpointstowardaveteran’sjobapplicationprocess.Hereareafewexamples:

S T A T E S

InWashington State,lawshavebeenenactedtoaffordpreferencetoeligibleveterans.Preferenceis

apercentageaddedtothepassingexaminationscoreforhonorablydischargedveteransanddisabled

veterans.

• 10 percent (Veteran)

• Musthaveservedduringaperiodofwarorinanarmedconflict

• Doesnotreceivemilitaryretirement

• Thepercentageisaddedtopassingmark,grade,orratingofcompetitiveexaminationsuntilthe

veteran’sfirstappointment

• 5 percent(Veteran)

• Didnotserveduringaperiodofwarorinanarmedconflict

• Receivesmilitaryretirement

• Thepercentageisaddedtopassingmark,grade,orratingofcompetitiveexaminationsuntilthe

veteran’sfirstappointment

• 5 percent(Veteran)

• Calledtoactivewhileemployedwiththestateoranyofitspoliticalsubdivisionsormunicipal

corporations

• Addedtothepromotionalexaminationuntilthefirstpromotiononly

• Undercertainconditions,thesurvivingspouseorsurvivingdomesticpartnermayalsobeeligible

forpreference

Moreinformationcanbefoundathttp://careers.wa.gov/veteranspreferences.html

InNorth Dakota,eligibleveteransareentitledtopreferenceoverallotherapplicantsinrecruitment

andselectionprocessesbygovernmentagencies.

• MustbeaU.S.citizenatthetimeofemployment

• ResidentofNorthDakota

• Mustmeetminimumqualificationsofthejobappliedfor

• Mustqualifyasaveteranandawartimeveteranorbeawardedacampaignorexpeditionarymedal

• Undercertainconditions,thespouseofa100%disabledveteranoradeceasedveteranmaybeeli-

gibleforpreference

Of note: NorthDakota’sdefinitionof“wartimeveteran”isdifferentthanthefederaldefinitionof“war”.

NorthDakotarecognizesWWII,Korea,Vietnam,GulfWar,andbeginningonSeptember11,2001,includ-

ingOIF/OEF.Thefederaldefinitionof“war”includes(andstopsat)WWII.



InformationandtheentirelistofeligibilityrequirementsforpreferenceinNorthDakotacanbefound

athttp://www.nd.gov/veterans/benefits/veterans-preference-state

Floridaself-reportsitisthemostveteran-friendlystateinthenation,withover1.6millionveterans.In

Florida,veterans’preferenceappliesinappointment,retention,andpromotiontoeligibleveteransand

spouses.

• MustbeaFloridaresident

• VeteranwithacompensableVAservice-connecteddisability

• Servicewithonedayonactivedutyduringawartimeperiodandhonorablydischarged

• Aveteranwhoservedinaqualifyingcampaignorexpeditionforwhichacampaignbadgehasbeen

authorized(includingtheGWOT-E),andwashonorablydischarged

• Spouseofaveteranwithapermanentandtotalservice-connecteddisability

• Unremarriedwidow/widowerofaveteranwhodiedasaresultofaservice-connecteddisability

MoreinformationcanbefoundintheFloridaVeterans’BenefitsGuide,publishedbytheFloridaDepart-

mentofVeterans’Affairs,2016orathttp://floridavets.org/resources/va-benefits-guide/

InIowa,veteranswhoarecitizensandresidentsoftheUnitedStatesshallhavefivepercentagepoints

addedtotheveteran’sgradeorscoreattainedinqualifyingexaminationsforappointmenttopositions.

Fiveadditionalpercentagepointsareaddedtothegradeorscoreiftheveteranhasaservice-connected

disabilityorisreceivingcompensation,disabilitybenefits,orpensionunderlawsadministeredbythe

UnitedStatesDepartmentofVeteransAffairs.Exclusionsincludepromotionsandappointmentsofchief

ofthepolicedepartmentandchiefofthefiredepartment.

AnhonorablydischargedveteranwhohasbeenawardedthePurpleHeartincurredinactionshallbe

consideredtohaveaservice-connecteddisability.However,thepercentagepointsshallbegivenonly

uponpassingtheexamandshallnotbethedeterminingfactorinpassing.Veterans’Preferencepercent-

agepointsshallbeappliedoncetothefinalscoresusedtorankapplicantsforinterviewselection.

ThestateofIowagenerallydefinesaneligibleveteranasapersonwho:

• servedonactivedutyforaperiodofmorethan180daysandwasdischargedorreleasedwithother

thanadishonorabledischarge;

• wasdischargedorreleasedfromactivedutybecauseofaserviceconnecteddisability;or

• asamemberofareservecomponentunderanordertoactiveduty,servedonactivedutyduring

aperiodofwarorinacampaignorexpeditionforwhichacampaignbadgeisauthorizedandwas

dischargedorreleasedfromsuchdutywithotherthanadishonorabledischarge.

• Aveteranisnotrequiredtobearesidentofthestate

Iowarecognizesanexpansiverangeoflocationsand/ordatesofserviceforthepurposeofveterans’

preferencerangingfromWWI(1917to1918tothePersianGulfConflict(1990tocessationofhostilities

declaration)–thirteeninstancesintotal.Inaddition,Iowaprovidessevenscenariosunderwhichaper-


soncanqualifyasa“veteran”.Tofindoutmore,visit

https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/veteran-employment-services

C O U N T I E S

Itisnotuncommontofindcountiesofferingveteran’spreference.Forsome,itisafunctionofstatelaw.

Somecountiesgoaboveandbeyondtherequirements.

WhenmakinginitialappointmentstocountyserviceinFairfax County, Va.,appointingauthorities

takeintoconsiderationorgivepreferencetoanapplicant’sstatusasahonorablydischargedveteranof

theArmedForcesoftheUnitedStates,providedthattheveteranmeetsalloftheknowledge,skills,and

eligibilityrequirementsofthejob.AdditionalconsiderationisgiventoveteransforwhomtheUnited

StatesDepartmentofVeteransAffairs(VA)hasgrantedservice-connectionforadisability.Formore

information,visithttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hr/veterans.htm

TheOfficeofHumanResourcesforMontgomery County, Md.,detailsthehiringpreferenceandpriori-

tyconsiderationforaninitialappointmenttoaCountypositionathttps://www.montgomerycountymd.

gov/HR/Recruitment/VetPreference.html.Priorityconsiderationisgiventoaveteranwithadisability.

Equalpreferenceisgivenforaveteranwithoutadisabilityandforapersonwithadisability.There-

quirementsforaveteranwithadisabilityinclude:

• Mustberatedandplacedinthehighestratingcategoryontheeligiblelist

• MustbeaveteranratedbytheVAwithacompensableservice-connecteddisabilityof30%ormore

• Musthavebeenhonorablydischargedand

• Mustnothaveusedveteran’scredittoreceivepriorityconsiderationforappointmenttoaMontgom-

eryCountyposition

Onthewestcoast,Monterey County, Calif.,offerslimitedveterans’preference:

• Applicantsmustapplywithin5yearsafterseparationfromactiveduty

• Militaryretireeseligibleforretirementarenoteligibleforveterans’preferencepointswiththeex-

ceptionofdisabledveterans.

• Veterans’preferenceisavailableforopen,entrylevelpositions

Reviewtheeligibilityrequirementsandhumanresourcepolicyat

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/personnel/Documents.html

C I T I E S

Visithttp://veterans.portal.texas.gov/en/Pages/employment.aspxforalistofcitiesandavailablejobs

inTexas.AsearchconductedinJune2016revealedmorethan2,800jobsinbothHoustonandDallas,

almost1,800jobsinbothAustinandSanAntonio,over400jobsinElPaso,andover60jobsinKilleen.

InAustin,theVeterans’PreferenceinHiringInitiativerequires20%ofqualifiedjobcandidatesinter-

viewedbeveterans.TheHumanResourcesDepartmentprovidesastandardizedmethodbywhich

veteranswhodonotcurrentlyworkfortheCityofAustinmayreceivespecialconsiderationintheinter-



viewprocess.Reviewthe66-pageCityofAustinVeteransProgramInitiativeWelcomeHomeVeterans’

ResourcesDirectoryathttp://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/WELCOME_HOME.pdf

InterestedinworkinginDenver, Colo.?Coloradolawallows5pointsbeaddedtoapassingscoreof

eligiblewartimeveteransseparatedunderhonorableconditions.Unremarriedwidowsofveteransmay

alsoreceivethe5pointpreference.Eligibleveteransreceivingdisabilityretirementbenefitsmayreceive

10points.

• servedonactivedutyformorethan180daysor

• wasdischargedorreleased,otherthandishonorabledischarge,or

• wasreleasedordischargedbecauseofaserviceconnecteddisability

• Thosewhoweremedicallydischarged,or

• areamemberofaGuardorReserveunitcalledto“activeduty”duringanylengthorperiodof

warorcampaignforwhichacampaignribbonwasawardedarealsoeligible

DenverCareerServicesprovidesalistofqualifyingservicedates.Informationcanbefoundat

https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-office-of-economic-development/

jobs-employers/for-veterans.html.

Liketheheat?InMiami,veterans’preferenceisawardedintheinitialhiring,promotionandretention

ofveterans.Therearesixeligibilitycategoriesofveterans’preferenceinadditiontotherequirementof

beingaresidentofFlorida.

• Veterans’preferenceisnotabsolute

• Preferenceisavailableateachstateofthehiringprocess

• Eligiblenon-disabledveteranscanreceive5pointsonascaleof100

• Eligibledisabledveteranscanreceive10pointsonascaleof100

• Withallotherfactorsbeingequal,prioritytoveteranswouldbegiveninthefollowingorder:

• Disabledveteranwithservice-connecteddisabilityof30%ormore

• Disabledveteranwithservice-connecteddisabilityoflessthan30%

• Non-disabledveteran

• Non-Veteran

Thecategoriesofveterans’preferenceandeligibilityrequirementscanbefoundat

http://www.miamigov.com/employeerel/pages/select_records/Veterans.asp

Ifyouareaveteraninterestedinacareeringovernmentservice,considerworkingincity,countyor

stategovernment.Publicserviceatthelocallevelmaybeequallyassatisfyingasworkingforthefederal

government.Whileonlyafewarehighlighted,manylocalgovernmentshonortheserviceandsacrifices

ofveteransbygrantingveterans’preferenceinthehiringprocess.Ifyouareinterestedinapositionand

wanttouseveterans’preference,researchtherules-of-the-road.Itisaseasyasopeningasearchengine

andtypinginyourdesiredcity,countyorstatenamefollowedby“veterans’preference.”

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