SF 813: Verification of a Military Retiree's Service in Nonwartime Campaigns or Expeditions
SF 813 is used to confirm whether a military retiree served in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge was authorized, which can determine eligibility for veterans' preference in federal hiring.
This is the genuine OPM PDF, unmodified. Source: OPM official page.
What is SF 813?
SF 813, Verification of a Military Retiree's Service in Nonwartime Campaigns or Expeditions, exists because retired members of the armed forces are treated differently under the veterans' preference rules. A military retiree's eligibility for preference can hinge on whether they are a disabled veteran or served in a war, campaign, or expedition for which a campaign badge was authorized, and the DD 214 does not always make campaign service clear.
The form asks the appropriate military branch to verify the retiree's service in specific campaigns or expeditions. The applicant or the agency completes the identifying portion, and the military service completes the verification portion, which the hiring agency then uses when adjudicating a claim to veterans' preference.
Who files SF 813?
- Retired members of the armed forces claiming veterans' preference for a federal job
- Agency HR specialists who need official verification of campaign or expedition service before granting preference
- Military retirees whose DD 214 does not clearly document qualifying campaign service
- Staffing offices adjudicating preference claims under the Veterans' Preference Act
How to fill out SF 813
- Complete the identifying information about the retiree: name, service number or SSN, branch, and dates of service.
- Identify the campaigns or expeditions in question as specifically as possible, using the retiree's records as a starting point.
- Send the form to the records or personnel center of the appropriate military branch, as directed by the hiring agency's HR office.
- The military service completes the verification section confirming or denying the campaign or expedition service.
- Return the verified form to the requesting HR office, which uses it along with the DD 214 and any SF-15 to adjudicate the preference claim.
Quick fill SF 813 on this page
Prefer to see the form itself while you type? Open SF 813 in the editor to fill it on the actual pages, add a signature, and download.
Frequently asked questions
Do all military retirees get veterans' preference?
No. Retired members of the armed forces at or above the rank of major or lieutenant commander are generally not preference eligible unless they qualify as disabled veterans, and other retirees must still meet the standard preference criteria, which is where campaign or expedition verification comes in. See OPM's Vet Guide for the current rules.
Is SF 813 the same as the SF-15?
No. SF-15 is the application a veteran files to claim 10-point preference. SF 813 is a verification tool: it gets the military branch's official confirmation of campaign or expedition service that supports a preference determination.
Who actually sends SF 813 to the military branch?
Practice varies. Often the hiring agency's HR office initiates it, but a retiree may be asked to complete their portion first. Follow the instructions of the HR office handling your application.