OPM looks to boost hiring of military spouses

Husbands and wives of servicemembers disabled or killed in the line of duty would be eligible indefinitely for noncompetitive appointment to government jobs, according to a proposed rule to be published in Thursday's Federal Register.

Currently, spouses can take advantage of a special hiring authority only within a two-year time frame after a service-related disability or death.

OPM in 2009 implemented a rule to allow agencies to hire the husbands or wives of members of the armed forces without comparing them to other candidates if the service member is transferred to a new location permanently, becomes completely disabled during active duty (though the injuries do not have to result from combat), or dies during an active-duty assignment.

If the service member is killed during service, the widow or widower must remain unmarried before receiving an appointment.

Some spouses of service members killed or disabled in the line of duty were not using the hiring authority, however, according to recent findings by the Integrated Process Team for Spouse Employment and Empowerment organized by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

OPM is proposing to eliminate the two-year limit for spouses who are not prepared to enter the workforce within that period because they are still grieving, because they are enrolled in school or training programs, or because they are caring for children or their disabled spouse. Husbands or wives whose eligibility is based on relocation orders would still have to comply with the original two-year time frame.

The public can submit comments on the proposed rule to OPM. The comment period will remain open for 60 days.

"Through programs like the President's Veterans Employment Initiative and the military spouse hiring authority, we are helping thousands of military families and veterans not only survive, but thrive in tough times," OPM Director John Berry said. "And in return, we're getting some of the best, brightest, hardest-working Americans into the Federal workforce to protect and serve their fellow citizens as civilians."

According to OPM, 887 military spouses were hired between October 2009 and October 2010, after the hiring authority took effect.

The Obama administration is working to increase support for military families and in January unveiled a strategy for creating a comprehensive governmentwide effort to improve education for military children, enhance families' psychological health and well-being, develop career and educational opportunities for military spouses, and increase child care availability and quality.

Michelle Obama appeared in January on The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote a new campaign to garner national support for service members and their families. The first lady is making the issue a key component of her platform.