Frequently Asked Questions:

1. To what does the MSP apply?
The program applies to all appropriated fund and non-appropriated fund positions.

2. What kind of position may be accepted without loss of MSP?
Spouses may now accept an unlimited number of the following kinds of jobs without losing MSP:

• Temporary Positions (Time limited positions lasting not more than two years.)
• Permanent Intermittent Positions (No time limit, but work is on an “on-call” basis, such as DoDDS substitute teachers.)
• Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) “Flexible Category” Positions (This job category is used by Navy Exchange and Air Force Morale, Welfare & Recreation organizations.)

3. What does this mean for military spouses?
The program generally allows spouses to find employment as soon as they are ready to work, particularly in NAF organizations. MSP is, however, retained for use for permanent jobs that may not be immediately available. Because of this, military spouses have an increased likelihood of both a continuing income and career development opportunities.

4. What happens to military spouses who have already lost their MSP?
Any spouse who lost MSP by accepting a term, temporary, permanent intermittent, or flexible category job is eligible to have MSP reinstated. Individuals who believe they are eligible to have MSP reinstated should contact their local Human Resources Office.

5. Where can military spouses find more information?
Military spouses needing more information about MSP should contact their local CPAC/Human Resources Office.

6. Am I eligible for military spouse employment preference?

If you are the spouse of an active duty Armed Forces member (including the Coast Guard) relocating to his/her new permanent duty station, you are entitled to spouse employment preference as long as you are among the best qualified for the position.

Spouse preference applies at the military sponsor's duty station and in the local commuting area. Commuting area is defined as the surrounding localities to which the spouse has determined he/she is willing to travel back and forth daily for employment.

7. How does spouse preference work?
Spouses receive preference upon arrival at the overseas location. Preference will remain intact until used; however, spouses of military sponsors who are within 6 months of their tour rotation date may be non-selected for permanent (continuing) positions without regard to preference.

If management wants to select from a competitive list of applicants, a spouse preference eligible, who is ranked among the best qualified, must be selected for the position, unless an exception is granted by the local commander.

If more than one spouse is determined to be among the best qualified, management may select any one of the best qualified military spouses.

Management may select from any source of candidates (reassignment, change to lower grade, promotion, reinstatement, Office of Personnel Management lists, etc.). Spouse preference generally will not apply in cases where management chooses to select from a non-competitive candidate source.

Veterans retain preference for initial employment over military spouses, as do employees displaced from their positions through no personal cause, selected employees placed under the Department’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program, and selected, planned career progressions of employees in developmental positions.

8. To what positions does peference apply?
Preference applies worldwide to most DoD appropriated fund positions at grades GS-15 and below (or equivalent wage grade positions) in the competitive or excepted service. Certain positions are excluded, for example, positions in intelligence related activities and those that require mandatory mobility agreements.

Military spouse preference also applies to positions in non-appropriated fund instrumentalities (NAFI) at grades UA-8 and below (or equivalent grade levels). NAFIs include positions established in the Army/Air Force Exchange System (AAFES) at the exchanges and retail stores, Navy Exchange (NEX) as well as in NAFIs at clubs, snack bars, recreation centers and sports facilities, and related activities throughout DoD.

9. How long is preference retained?

In the European Theater, preference is lost only if a military spouse accepts (or declines the offer of) a permanent full-time or a permanent part-time position.

10. Do I have to exercise preference when I relocate?
No. Registration is voluntary. Spouses who are interested in seeking a promotion or a position outside the commuting area may compete equally with other applicants without preference.

11. Where can I get more information?
For more information on Military Spouse Preference and MSP Choice, spouses should contact the CPO/Human Resource Office in the local area to which they are moving. At some installations, NAF employment offices may not be co-located with the appropriated fund CPAC/Human Resource Office. Be sure to ask where NAF employment offices are located, and contact those offices directly if you are interested in NAF employment or need more information about NAF activities before seeking employment.