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OPM.gov / Frequently Asked Questions / Feds Hire Vets - FAQ / General
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General

Questions and answers

A 5-point preference eligible is a veteran whose discharge or release from active duty in the armed forces was under honorable conditions and service meets the following criteria:

  1. During a war; or
  2. During the period April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955; or
  3. 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
  4. During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992; or
  5. 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
  6. In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including Afghanistan (Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF), Iraqi Freedom (OIF)), Bosnia (Operations Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, and Joint Forge), Global War on Terrorism, Persian Gulf, and others may qualify for preference.

The veteran must have been discharged under an honorable or general discharge.

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