General
Questions and answers
There are no regulations that dictate when a
service member can apply for a position with the Federal Government. However,
agencies typically will not adjudicate veterans’ preference unless the
service-member has a DD-214 or "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.