Q. I recently retired from the military with 23½ years of active duty. This included combat duty in Iraq. I have started employment as a federal GS employee within the past 60 days. Does my veteran status entitle me to more than the basic four hours of annual leave per pay period?
A. According to OPM, “For leave accrual, retirees receive credit only for: actual service during a war declared by Congress (includes World War II covering the period Dec. 7, 1941, to April 28, 1952) or while participating in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge is authorized; or all active duty when retirement was based on a disability received as a direct result of armed conflict or caused by an instrumentality of war and incurred in the line of duty during a period of war as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(11). ‘Period of war’ includes World War II, the Korean conflict, Vietnam era, the Persian Gulf War, or the period beginning on the date of any future declaration of war by the Congress and ending on the date prescribed by presidential proclamation or concurrent resolution of the Congress.”
