War Service Creditable for Veterans Preference. In the absence of statutory definition for "war" and "campaign
or expedition," OPM considers to be "wars" only those armed conflicts for which a declaration of war was issued by
Congress. The title 38, U.S.C., definition of "period of war," which is used in determining benefits administered by
the Department of Veterans Affairs, includes the Vietnam Era and other armed conflicts. That title 38 definition is
NOT applicable for civil service purposes. Thus the last "war" for which active duty is qualifying for Veterans
preference is World War II. The inclusive dates for World War II service are December 7, 1941, through April 28,
1952.
Non-combat operations that are not qualifying for Veterans preference. Many medals are awarded for non-
combat operations. These medals are not a basis for preference and include the following: Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal for service from September 11, 2001, to date to be determined, The Medal of Merit for meritorious service
in World War II, The Medal of Freedom for meritorious achievements or meritorious service to the United States on or
after December 7, 1941, in the war against an enemy outside the continental limits of the United States, The Antarctica
Service Medal for participating in a scientific, direct support, or exploratory operation on the Antarctic Continent, The
National Defense Service Medal for honorable service between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954 or January 1, 1961 and
August 14, 1974; or for the period between August 2, 1990, and November 30, 1995, The Armed Forces Service Medal for
participation in a United States military operation deemed to be a significant activity for which there was no threat of
encounter of foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action, The Armed Forces Reserve Medal for 10
years of honorable service in a Reserve component; or active duty service in a Reserve component on or after August 1,
1990; or volunteer service for active duty on or after August 1, 1990.
Military Operations Since 1937 for Which a Campaign or Expeditionary Medal Has Been Awarded, Except
for Operations Occurring During a Declared War
Military personnel receive many awards and decorations. To help agencies make decisions concerning entitlement
to Veterans preference and other benefits, the following list identifies those awards that are campaign and
expeditionary medals. Any Armed Forces expeditionary Medal, whether listed here or not, is qualifying for
Veterans preference. The Department of Defense, not OPM, determines who is entitled to receive a medal, and
under what circumstances. The list below is derived from DoD 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations and
Awards. DD 214, Certificate of Discharge or Separation from Active Duty, or other official documents issued by the
branch of service are required as verification of eligibility for Veterans preference.
Note: Section 572 of Subtitle G of the Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 1998 (Public Law 105-85),
signed into law on November 18, 1997, allows the Secretary of the military department concerned to
determine whether individual members who participated in Operation Joint Endeavor or Operation Joint
Guard in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and in such other areas in the region as the Secretary of
Defense considers appropriate, meet the individual service requirements for award of the Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medal (AFEM). Generally, service members will be considered eligible if they: deployed to
Bosnia and Herzegovina (or other area that the Secretary of Defense considers appropriate) in direct support of
one or both of the operations; served on board a ship in the Adriatic in direct support of one or both of the
operations; or operated in airspace above Bosnia, Herzegovina (or other area that the Secretary of Defense
considers appropriate) while the operations were in effect.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management VetGuide Appendix A:
Wars, Campaigns and Expeditions of the Armed Forces
Since WWII Quality for Veterans' Preference
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