Nonappropriated Fund Employment Priority Considerations or Preferences
The Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) Personnel System establishes priority consideration or preference in hiring. Each DOD NAF employer develops their own specific procedures to inform applicants of any documentation required in order to receive the consideration or preference to which they are entitled. DCPAS provides oversight of the NAF personnel system to ensure accurate interpretation of laws and DOD-wide regulations for NAF Employment.
Military Spouse Preference (MSP) applies to jobs at the NF-3 grade and below, positions in the child and youth payband system, and crafts and trades positions. Preference applies to any job that is open to competition in accordance with merit staffing practices. MSP preference continues for each permanent move until the spouse accepts or declines a continuing position without time limits, fails to maintain eligibility, is no longer eligible for appointment in accordance with the pertinent authority, or is no longer interested. The spouse must be married to the military sponsor before reporting at the new duty station. Spouses may apply for preference as early as 30 days before the active duty spouse’s reporting date. Spouse preference is not applicable for a permanent move that is in conjunction with the retirement or separation of the military member.
NAF employees separated by Business-Based Actions have priority placement in the NAF activity from which separated and priority consideration rights at other NAF activities in the same commuting area. Separated employees can remain on the Reemployment Priority Lists (RPL) until reemployed, but no longer than one year from the date of their separation. Selection of an individual from the RPL is a noncompetitive recruitment action.