FAQs

For U.S. Postal Service Employees With Military Obligations

After five years of active military duty, can I still participate in weekend drills, summer camps, and any professional training that my service branch offers?

The general five-year rule regarding reemployment after active military service does not limit participation in weekend drills, summer camps, and/or any professional training that the service branch offers.
I am in the reserves and my unit is called up for 270 days of active duty. At this time, I do not have written orders. Who should I notify?

As in the case of any absence, your contact is always your immediate supervisor. Call your supervisor, provide specifics, and then follow up with a letter. If your orders are unavailable before your departure date, send them to your supervisor as soon as possible. Supervisors should be aware that orders are not always available (sometimes because of sudden call-ups, and other times because of military requirements or restrictions).
When on active duty, how is my absence from work recorded?

It depends on the length of military service. For short periods, such as weekend drills or summer camps, you may take military leave, if eligible (ELM, Section 517.5). Otherwise, you may take leave without pay (LWOP). For longer periods, you are placed on LWOP and you remain on the roles. Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), the employer must keep you in LWOP status. However, as the employee, you may elect to resign rather than remain on the rolls. If you resign, you will forfeit substantial benefit rights when you return to the Postal Service following military duty. It is important that you consult with your Human Resources department before electing to resign your Postal Service employment.
What happens if I resign for active military service and later wish to return to the Postal Service?

When you resign your employment with the Postal Service to enter military duty and then reemployed by the Postal Service following military duty, you are entitled to the seniority you would have earned if you had not gone on military service. Non-seniority based employment benefits you would have earned during the military service are forfeited because you chose to resign your employment rather than take a leave without pay.
When military duty makes it operationally difficult at work, do I have to change my military duty?

No. Under USERRA, military duty takes precedence over civilian employment. However, your supervisor may contact your commander and ask if your duty could be rescheduled due to business requirements. You are not required to seek a change in your military duty days, but we appreciate all efforts employees make to help the Postal Service meet its business requirements and, at the same time, your military obligations.
I was called to active duty in January and returned to work in December of the same year. When I left, my pay stub reflected 208 hours of annual leave. My first full pay period stub reflected only 24 hours of leave. What happened to the other hours?

At the beginning of the leave year, which normally occurs in early January, the Postal Service advances annual leave to full-time and part-time regular employees for the entire leave year, base on the employee's leave category. This is not earned annual leave, but leave hours the employee could normally earn during the leave year based on working the employee's full-time or part-time regular work schedule. After an employee returns to work from a prolonged absence of LWOP, the advanced leave hours are adjusted to reflect the number of hours an employee could normally earn for the remainder of the year.
Upon returning from active duty drill, why do I need proof of my military attendance in order to get paid military leave?

It is the policy of the Postal Service to request supporting documentation prior to authorizing pay for absences. In your situation, you requested military leave. Therefore, your supervisor needs proof of your military attendance to properly authorize pay for your absence. It is normally only a matter of giving a copy of your orders to your supervisor.
When an employee is returning to work after a short period of military service, such as less than one month, how much time must the employee be allowed off prior to reporting back work?

USERRA has definite rules relating to the return-to-work policy, which the Postal Service follows. In this case, a military absence of 30 days or less, the employee must return to work on the first scheduled day of work following eight hours after the return home. This rule also accounts for travel time home and gives the employee eight hours of rest. In case of delays beyond the employee's control, the employee must return to work as soon as possible.
An employee, back from military service, was suppose to return to work for his first scheduled day after the eight hours of rest at home. He was two days late and did not provide or have a substantiated reason. Is he subject to discipline?

The law and our guidelines allow discipline if the employee fails to exercise prudent judgement and causes the delayed return. If the delay was caused by situations not under the employee's control, the employee cannot be held accountable and discipline is not appropriate. The employee can be required to provide documentation for the delay.
We have a probationary employee who was activated for 180 days. When the employee leaves for military duty they will have only completed 29 days of their probationary period. When the employee returns from military duty, can I extend the probationary period?

No, the law and our regulations do not allow for the extension of any employee's probationary period. The military service time counts toward meeting the probationary requirement.
May I bid while absent for military service?

Yes, a bargaining unit employee may bid in accordance with the appropriate labor agreement when on LWOP for military duty. Bids can be submitted before your departure and during your military leave. You may leave a bid card behind that will be processed when the desired position is posted.
When is a bid position awarded?

The bid is awarded in accordance with the appropriate labor agreement.
How can I apply for an EAS position that will be advertised during my military absence?

Employees leaving for military service, who will be in an LWOP status, may submit a completed PS Form 991 prior to departure or while in the military service. The form must reflect the desired occupation title and needs to be prepared as if the vacancy is currently announced. The applicant must provide responses to the requirement statements (KSAs) related to the position of interest. For information on the preparation of PS Form 991, consult Publication 555, Responding To Personnel Selection Requirements.

The completed PS Form 991 needs to be submitted by the employee to the local Human Resources department where the applicant wishes to be considered for inclusion in the applicant pool. The employee should include a cover letter stating they wish to apply for this position if it becomes vacant while they are absent for military service. The application will be considered provided the area of consideration stated on the vacancy announcement includes the employee's work location.
In the event that I am selected for a higher-level EAS position while on active military duty, what is the effective date of the promotion?

USERRA requires that the effective date be the same as though the employee is on the job and not on active duty.
I applied for the Associate Supervisor Program (ASP), but will be leaving for my military obligation prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement. What will happen to my application?

Your application cannot move forward unless you have taken and passed test 600. The review committee will grade a portion of test 600, the writing sample. The total test results are needed to move your application forward in the selection process. If you have previously taken and passed test 600 and your score is still valid, your application could move forward.
I was notified and scheduled for the next ASP class. However, I also received orders that my reserve unit has been activated for several months of overseas duty during the same time as my ASP training class. Do I lose the opportunity for ASP training?

No, you will not lose the opportunity for ASP training. Upon return from your military obligation you should contact your ASP coordinator so that you can be assigned to the next scheduled ASP class.
I am on the list for ASP training. However, I will soon be activated for military service for the next two years. What happens to my eligibility on the ASP class list?

If you are notified that you are scheduled for the ASP training class before you leave, you will be scheduled for the next class after your return from your military obligation. If you leave for your military obligation prior to being scheduled for class, your score will be retained on the ASP eligible list. If your score is reached while your are in the military, you will be scheduled for the next ASP class upon your return to postal employment. Upon return from your military obligation you should contact your ASP coordinator.
My ASP classroom training was interrupted by military reserve duty. How can I continue the ASP training?

If you were called for duty and missed a substantial portion of the ASP training, you will be recycled to the first ASP class following your return from military service. If, however, your military duty caused you to miss small amounts of training time, your situation will be reviewed by Human Resources and a decision will be made as to whether your absences will prevent you from successfully completing your ASP course. Human Resources will ensure that every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate an employee's military duty so he or she can complete the ASP program and will not have to be recycled.
I was offered an officer-in-charge (OIC) assignment that conflicts with an extended tour of my reserve unit. Will I be assigned to the position while in the military?

You are not available for an OIC assignment when your military duty covers the entire duration or nearly the entire period of the OIC assignment, so it would be impracticable for you to assume or satisfactorily perform OIC duties. In all other situations, military duty will not bar selection for or temporary assignment to an OIC position.
What happens to my Postal Service benefits during active military service?

The Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act has provisions that maintain your benefits within specified limits. There are some Postal Service benefits that continue during your military service and others that require a make-up contribution upon your return. Certain USERRA benefits must be requested within specific time periods, including retroactive contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan, which you must comply with to receive the benefit. It is important to you and your family that you consult with the Human Resources department before entering the military service and after you return to your postal job to ensure that you receive all the USERRA benefits you are entitled to.
I am currently on terminal leave with my activated reserve unit and will be separated in 30 days from the military; can I return to work before I am officially separated?

Yes, you may return to your job. Present an uncertified DD 214 or a written and signed statement from your command, reflecting your separation date after the use of your terminal leave.
Does USERRA provide different benefits for employees who voluntarily enlist for an initial period of uniformed service versus reservists who are involuntarily called to active duty?

USERRA does not differentiate between voluntary enlistment and involuntary reserve call-ups. The law provides the same benefits for both.
My reserve unit has been called to active duty and we are station home site. Can l to continue working at my Post Office?

Postal and Federal employees activated for military duty are prohibited to work for an agency, including the Postal Service.

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