Washington, D.C. - Hiring experts from the Office of Personnel Management visited last week with servicemen and servicewomen stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA and the San Diego Naval Base. These experts provided tips, advice, and directions on applying for civilian jobs in the Federal government and provided a special focus on how to use veterans' preference provisions throughout the hiring process.

Dan Blair, Acting Director of OPM stated, "The men and women in uniform have bravely served our Nation. The law is clear - these individuals must be given preference when competing for positions for which they are qualified in the Federal civil service. Part of making this law work is teaching veterans and members of the military who are about to leave the armed services how to navigate the Federal hiring process and how veterans preference can help them."

The visits to the two installations by OPM staff and recruiters are part of Phase II of the Veteran Invitational Program (VIP), the Bush Administration's initiative to communicate Veterans' Preference rights on Federal employment opportunities to airmen, soldiers and sailors.

Jim White, Career Focus Section Head at Camp Pendleton stated, "OPM has conducted an outstanding job, working with over 300 veterans at Marine Corps Camp Pendleton, and the veterans seem very pleased with the information. I am very impressed with the quality of the information that OPM gave to the veterans, and I will welcome them back at any time at their convenience."

OPM's staffing and recruiting experts held workshops with service members from Camp Pendleton and the San Diego Naval Base on aspects of veterans' preference, interviewing techniques, and the importance of the USAJOBS website in their job search efforts.