Strategic Recruitment and Hiring
Guide to Recruiting and Hiring Military Spouses supports military and veteran spouses, caregivers, and survivors, with a focus on military spouse economic opportunity, military child education, and health and well-being. The Guide was created to ensure Federal hiring managers are better equipped with available resources they can leverage to support the military-connected community.
View PDFMilitary Spouse Noncompetitive Appointing Authority
The Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointing Authority allows agencies to appoint certain military spouses without using traditional competitive examining procedures. Agencies can choose to use this authority when filling competitive service positions on a temporary (not to exceed 1 year), term (more than 1 year but not more than 4 years), or permanent basis. The authority does not entitle spouses to an appointment over any other applicant– it is used at the discretion of an agency.
In accordance with revised 5 U.S.C. 3330d(b), the head of an agency may now appoint noncompetitively: the spouse of a member of the armed forces on active duty, the spouse of a 100 percent disabled member of the armed forces, or the spouse of a deceased member of the armed forces.
Active Duty Spouse
- Includes all spouses of members of the armed forces on active duty
- Spouses do not have to relocate with active duty spouse
Based on 100% Disability
As a military spouse, you may be eligible to be considered under this authority if:
- The military member was retired under Chapter 61 of title 10, United States Code with a 100% disability rating from the military; or
- Was released from active duty and has a disability rating of 100% from the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the military department.
There is no geographic limitation under this category. You will be required to provide documentation of your spouse's disability.
Based on Service Member's Death
- As the military spouse, you may be eligible if the military member was killed while on active duty (it does not have to be combat related), and you have not remarried.
There is no geographic limitation in this category. You will be required to provide documentation on the death of the spouse and your marital status at the time of death.
Special Note: Military Spouse Preference is a Department of Defense authority applicable to positions being filled both in the continental United States and at overseas locations. Agencies are not required to use this hiring authority, nor does it take precedence over the use of other appointment mechanisms. For more information contact your local Department of Defense civilian personnel office.
Derived Preference
Derived Preference is a method where you, as the spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran may be eligible to claim veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it. You will be given XP Preference (10 points) in appointment if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Both a parent and a spouse (including widow or widower) may be entitled to preference on the basis of the same veteran's service if each meets the requirements applicable to a parent and a spouse, respectively.
The derived preference for spouses is different than the preference the Department of Defense is required by law to extend to spouses of active duty members in filling its civilian positions. For more information on that program, contact your local Department of Defense personnel office.
As a spouse of a veteran, you will be eligible for derived preference if the veteran has been unable to qualify for a Federal position along the general lines of his or her usual occupation because of a service-connected disability. Such a disqualification may be presumed when the veteran is unemployed and
- is rated by appropriate military or Department of Veterans Affairs authorities to be 100 percent disabled and/or unemployable; OR
- has retired, been separated, or resigned from a civil service position on the basis of a disability that is service-connected in origin; OR
- has attempted to obtain a civil service position or other position along the lines of his or her usual occupation and has failed to qualify because of a service-connected disability.
As a widow or widower of a veteran, you will be eligible if you and the veteran did not divorce, you have not remarried, or any remarriage was annulled, and the veteran
- served during a war or during the period April 28, 1952, through July 1, 1955, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized; OR
- died while on active duty that included service described immediately above under conditions that would not have been the basis for other than an honorable or general discharge.
As the parent of a veteran, you will be eligible if your son or daughter lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the armed forces during a war, or during the period April 28, 1952, through July 1, 1955, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized; AND
- Your own spouse is totally and permanently disabled; OR
- At the time, when preference is claimed, you are unmarried or, if married, legally separated from your spouse.
Alternatively, you will be eligible if your son or daughter was separated with an honorable or general discharge from active duty, including training service in the Reserves or National Guard, and is permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected injury or illness; AND
- Your own spouse is totally and permanently disabled; OR
- At the time when preference is claimed, you are unmarried or, if married, legally separated from your spouse
Derived preference is not given in connection with veterans who would have qualified for preference under 5 U.S.C. 2108 (1) (B), (C) or (2). Thus, spouses or parents of deceased disabled veterans who served after 1955, but did not serve in a war, campaign, or expedition, would not be entitled to claim preference.
Special Note: Military Spouse Preference is a Department of Defense authority applicable to positions being filled both in the continental United States and at overseas locations. Agencies are not required to use this hiring authority, nor does it take precedence over the use of other appointment mechanisms. For more information contact your local Department of Defense civilian personnel office.
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998
Family members must first be eligible for derived preference in order to be considered for appointment under VEOA.
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998, as amended (VEOA) is a competitive service appointing authority that can only be used when filling permanent, competitive service positions. It cannot be used to fill excepted service positions. It allows veterans to apply to announcements that are only open to so called "status" candidates, which means "current competitive service employees."
If you are a family member entitled to derived preference, you are a preference eligible and can apply under this authority. You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. If claiming 10–point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15)(Fillable PDF file), Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference.