The new hiring authority, named “Noncompetive Appointment of Certain Military Spouses,” came into effect in September and will help spouses attain federal jobs without having to go through the usual competitive process, provided they meet eligibility requirements as posted in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Federal Register and as declared in Executive Order 13724.

According to the Federal Register, the regulations are intended to facilitate the entry of military spouses into the federal civil service as part of an effort to recruit and retain skilled and experienced members of the Armed Forces and to recognize and honor the service of members injured, disabled or killed in connection with their service.

“Military spouses have traditionally had to forego or seriously curtail their careers due to frequent moves,” said Jay Smith, Labor-Employee Relations Officer, Civilian Human Resources Office, Camp Pendleton. “What this new hiring authority does is provide a mechanism in which military spouses can maintain some stability in their career plans. I think that it also says the sacrifices made by the military spouse are recognized,” she said.

Eligibility for positions is based on meeting guidelines for within a permanent change of station, disability or the death of a service member.

If a spouse applies for PCS eligibility clause, the spouse must have been married before the orders were issued and they must relocate with their service member to the new duty station by way of PCS orders. Eligibility is limited to the geographic area indicated on the service member’s orders. In order to prove eligibility for this authority, the spouse must provide a copy of the service member's PCS orders showing authorization to accompany him or her and proof of marriage is required. Spousal eligibility for noncompetitive appointment must be used within two years of the date of the service member's PCS orders.

If applying for eligibility based on the disability of the service member, the service member must have retired under Chapter 61 of Title 10 of the United States Code with a 100 percent disability rating at the time of retirement, or was released or discharged from active duty due to a service-connected disability and that the disability rating is 100 percent. Spouses of retired or released service members who have a 100 percent disability rating from the Department of Veteran's Affairs or applicable branch of service also qualify. There is no geographic restriction for eligible spouses using this eligibility.

If claiming eligibility based on the death of a service member, the authority requires the service member was killed while on active duty. The surviving spouse must remain unmarried in order to remain eligible. Proof of marriage at the time of death is required and eligibility must be exercised within two years of the date of documentation verifying the service member was killed. There are no geographic restrictions for eligible spouses.

All applicants must still meet the specific job-qualification criteria as listed for each position. In order to apply for positions aboard Camp Pendleton, spouses must establish an account on the Navy website and apply to job announcements at https://chart.donhr.navy.mil. 

Camp Pendleton has a large population that deploys throughout the world, and deployed service members worry about their loved ones remaining at home, Smith said. If a spouse can find work, the stress level goes down for the service member allowing them to focus on their mission overseas.

For more information about the new regulations or to view the executive order, visit http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayEO.cfm?id=EO_13473  or http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19340.pdf.