Federal job veterans' preference: Active duty vs. reserves?

[Anonymous]

Sorry if I am not asking the question correctly. I know there's some kind of federal job preference for veterans. Does the preference apply to some with reserve experience only, and no active duty experience?

[Anonymous]

To get preference you have to have served a certain number of days during specific time periods, or earned specific campaign medals. Bring in the military doesn't automatically give you preference. I don't believe inactivated reserves counts toward veterans preference because it would be considered training. Check the Vet guide and your DD-214 to see if your experience is qualifying.

[Anonymous]

I believe previous poster is correct.

Here are links on the OPM site that you can look at for more descriptions about it:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide-for-hr-professionals/

https://www.opm.gov/FAQS/topic/veterans/index.aspx

I guess one of the questionable parts is that one of the criteria says if you were a veteran during a war and doesn't specify anything about days. So if you were in the reserves during the more recent campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq but not deployed I'm not sure if it counts.

I have a feeling that it doesn't and everything is based off of active duty/non training period and they would verify it off of the DD 214s. But don't know for sure.

[Anonymous]

fedhirevets gov is the site you want to look at. lots of information and they can provide guidance on your specific case. good luck from another vet and yes, govt HR is really serious about vets preference.

[Anonymous]

It's for Active duty with honorable discharge, only.

There are basically three types of preference eligibles, disabled (10 point preference eligible), non-disabled (5 point preference eligible) and sole survivorship preference (0 point preference eligible).


https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/

[Anonymous]

If you are reserve who hits the threshold for veterans preference then it applies the same whether you are active or reserve. That said, the preference may rank you above certain candidates but experience, etc. still counts.