§ 3329 — Appointments Of Military Reserve Technicians To Positions In The Competitive Service

(a) For the purpose of this section, the term “military reserve technician” has the meaning given the term “military technician (dual status)” by section 8401(30). (b) shall, if appropriate written application is submitted within 1 year after the date of separation, be provided placement consideration in a position described in subsection (c) through a priority placement program of the Department of Defense. (1) The position for which placement consideration shall be provided to a former military technician under subsection (b) shall be a position— (A) in either the competitive service or the excepted service; (B) within the Department of Defense; and (C) in which the person is qualified to serve, taking into consideration whether the employee in that position is required to be a member of a reserve component of the armed forces as a condition of employment. (2) To the maximum extent practicable, the position shall also be in a pay grade or other pay classification sufficient to ensure that the rate of basic pay of the former military technician, upon appointment to the position, is not less than the rate of basic pay last received by the former military technician for technician service before separation. (d) This section shall not apply in the case of— (1) an involuntary separation for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency; or (2) a technician who, as of the date of application under this section, is eligible for immediate (including for disability) or early retirement under subchapter III of chapter 83 or under chapter 84. (e) The Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.