Army News, news from Iraq, - Army Times

Spouses get federal job boost next month

A rule that could help military spouses get jobs in the federal government quicker will take effect Sept. 11.

The final regulations published in today’s Federal Register implement a Sept. 25, 2008, executive order allowing federal managers to hire qualified military spouses without putting them through the normal competitive hiring process.

Those eligible include spouses who relocated with their service members because of permanent change-of-station orders, unremarried widows or widowers of service members killed on active duty, and spouses of service members who are 100 percent disabled as a result of active duty.

Federal agencies are not required to use the hiring authority, but Defense Department officials will definitely use the new authority, said defense spokesman Army Lt. Col. Les’ Melnyk.

Spouses are eligible for a noncompetitive appointment for a maximum of two years from the date of their service member’s PCS orders. They must provide documentation verifying the service member is 100 percent disabled or was killed on active duty.

Spouses may receive only one noncompetitive appointment per PCS move.