R 011337Z MAY 06 ZUI ASN-A00121000004 ZYB
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-12//
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UNCLAS //N12211//
ALCOAST 253/06
COMDTNOTE 12211
SUBJ: NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES TO VETERANS PREFERENCE ELIGIBILITY
CRITERIA
1. THIS MESSAGE OUTLINES THE CHANGES TO THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA IN
TITLE 5,USC, SECTION 2108, FOR VETERANS PREFERENCE ENTITLEMENT
WITHIN THE FEDERAL CIVILIAN SERVICE.  THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2006, PUBLIC LAW 109-163, SECTION 1111 AND
1112, JANUARY 6, 2006, MODIFIED THE DEFINITION OF "VETERAN" UNDER 5
USC 2108(1) BY ADDING: (D) SERVED ON ACTIVE DUTY AS DEFINED BY
SECTION 101(21) OF TITLE 38, AT ANY TIME IN THE ARMED FORCES FOR A
PERIOD OF MORE THAN 180 CONSECUTIVE DAYS ANY PART OF WHICH OCCURRED
DURING THE PERIOD BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, AND ENDING ON THE
DATE PRESCRIBED BY PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION OR BY LAW AS THE LAST
DATE OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.
2. THE AMENDED DEFINITION FURTHER CLARIFIES ELIGIBILITY FOR
INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN "DISCHARGED OR RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY
IN THE ARMED FORCES UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS" REPLACING THE
PREVIOUS VERBIAGE WHICH SIMPLY ESTABLISHED "SEPARATED FROM THE
ARMED FORCES UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS" AS THE SECOND CRITERION
USED TO DEFINE "VETERAN" UNDER 2108(1).
3. THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (OPM) IS CURRENTLY IN THE
PROCESS OF MODIFYING TITLE 5, CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, THE
VETGUIDE, THE VETINFOGUIDE, AND THEIR DELEGATED EXAMINING UNIT
HANDBOOK TO INCORPORATE THE CHANGES IN VETERANS PREFERENCE
ELIGIBILITY.  ALTHOUGH NOT IN ANY OPM PUBLICATIONS, THE LAW
CHANGING VETERANS PREFERENCE ELIGIBILITY WAS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 6,
2006.
4. QUESTIONS CONCERNING VETERANS PREFERENCE ELIGIBILITY CAN BE
DIRECTED TO YOUR SERVICING HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST/COMMAND STAFF
ADVISOR.
5. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.
6. RELEASED BY RADM STEPHEN ROCHON, DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT.
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