Veterans' Preference gives eligible veterans preference in appointment over many other applicants. Veterans' preference applies to all new appointments in the competitive service and many in the excepted service. Veterans' preference does not guarantee veterans a job and it does not apply to internal agency actions such as promotions, transfers, reassignments and reinstatements. Please know that not all active duty service may qualify for veterans' preference. Only veterans discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions are eligible for veterans' preference. This means you must have been discharged under an honorable or general discharge.
5 Point Preference
You are a 5-point preference eligible if your active duty service meets any of the following:
- For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on August 31, 2010, the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom, OR
- During the Gulf War, between August 2, 1990 and January 2, 1992, OR
- For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955 and before October 15, 1976, OR
- Between April 28, 1952 and July 1, 1955 OR
- In a war, campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal or badge has been authorized.
10 Point Preference
You are a 10-point preference eligible if you served at any time, and you:
- have a service connected disability, OR
- received a Purple Heart.
Preference eligibles are divided into five basic groups as follows:
- CPS - Disability rating of 30% or more (10 points)
- CP - Disability rating of at least 10% but less than 30% (10 points)
- XP - Disability rating less than 10% (10 points)
- TP - Preference eligibles with no disability rating (5 points)
- SSP – Sole Survivorship Preference (0 points)
Documentation
You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. Acceptable documentation include:
- A copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions;
- A "certification" that is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed; OR
- A Standard Form (SF-15 (PDF file)), Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. If you are claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit an (SF-15 (PDF file)).
- A letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility.
Eligible individuals may submit a federal resume, DD-214, VA Disability Compensation rating documentation, transcripts (if applicable), and the title of the desired career field to employ.veterans@usss.dhs.gov.