The following link is to a Memorandum sent to an House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform by the Congressional Research Service regarding veterans preference. The memorandum is in response to House Committee’s request for information on veterans preference and the U.S. Postal Service. source: Troy Rorman, APWU National Business Agent, Maintenance Division. Veterans Preference and the U.S. Postal Service

A short excerpt:

 Under federal law, an honorably discharged veteran who has served on active duty in the armed forces meeting the duty period and length of service requirements defined in 5 U.S.C. $2108 is considered a preference eligible. As a preference eligible, the veteran receives additional points (above the individual’s earned rating) under 5 U.S.C. $3309 for appointment in the competitive service.’ Preference eligibles also have special considerations in reductions in force, as federal law (5 U.S.C. $3502) requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish regulations for a reduction in force that reflect military preference. Under OPM regulations (5 CFR Part 35 I), for a competitive area (as defined by the agency), the order of retention for employees in competitive service is based on tenure of employment, veterans preference, length of service, and performance. In addition to being a factor in the order of retention, veterans preference also has an impact on length of service as active duty military service is generally included in computing length of service. Similar regulations exist for excepted federal service employment. In addition, 5 U.S.C. §3502(b) states that a preference eligible disabled veteran with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more who has a performance rating that is not unacceptable is entitled to be retained in preference to other competing employees.