Veteran Pass Over and Objection Requirements and Procedures

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
                 Washington, DC 20405 

HRM 9714
November 29, 2022

GSA ORDER 

SUBJECT:  Veteran Pass Over and Objection Requirements and Procedures

1. Purpose. The purpose of this order is to establish policy for requesting to pass-over, or object to hiring a veteran candidate, as defined in Title 5 United States Code Section 2108 (5 U.S.C. 2108), in the competitive and excepted service recruitment process.  It also gives limited delegated authority to Human Resources Center Directors for pass-over requests of non-disabled veterans’ preference eligibles.  

2. Background. “Veterans’ preference” was established in the Veterans’ Preference Act of 1944, when Congress enacted laws to protect veterans, who seek Federal civilian employment, from being penalized for time spent in military service.  Veterans’ preference recognizes the economic loss suffered by citizens who served their country, restores veterans to a favorable competitive position for Federal employment, and acknowledges the larger obligation for employment owed to disabled veterans.  By law, disabled veterans or veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during specified time periods/military campaigns are entitled to preference in hiring over non-preference applicants on a competitive referral list.