    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [March 8, 1991]
    [Pages 228-229]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on the Return of Desert Shield/Desert Storm Participants to
    Federal Civilian Employment
    March 8, 1991

    Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

    Subject: Return of Desert Shield/Desert Storm Participants to Federal
    Civilian Employment

        Now that our Armed Forces and their Coalition partners have achieved
    success in meeting our military objectives in the Gulf region, we can
    look forward to the return of the valiant men and women who participated
    in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
        Many of these participants are members of the Reserve Forces and the
    Air and Army National Guard who left their regular civilian employment
    to join in this national effort, with great disruption to their families
    and their normal pursuits. In recognition of the sacrifices they have
    made, it is essential that their civilian employers do everything
    possible to ease their return to civilian life.
        The Federal Government has always been a model for other employers
    in the protections and benefits provided for those who serve, and I am
    committed to ensuring that we continue to set an example for the Nation
    in this regard. Accordingly, I have determined that the following
    actions by executive departments and agencies are appropriate:

    [[Page 229]]

        --Military reservists and members of the Air and Army National Guard
            who are returning to their Federal civilian employment should be
            restored to the same jobs they left, and the legal flexibility
            of placement in equivalent jobs should be used only when
            absolutely necessary.
        --Desert Shield/Desert Storm participants who are returning to their
            Federal civilian employment should be afforded 5 days of excused
            absence from their duties, without charge to leave.
        --Federal employees who have served in the Armed Forces during this
            emergency and who qualify for retirement may do so without
            returning to their civilian employment under 5 U.S.C. 8332(g).

        The Office of Personnel Management will be issuing guidance on these
    matters, and I urge the heads of executive departments and agencies to
    take all necessary action to provide for prompt implementation.
        As our regular troops return, we can expect many to be seeking
    civilian employment in the future. I am directing the Office of
    Personnel Management to take such actions as are appropriate, in
    cooperation with executive departments and agencies, to ensure that
    Federal civilian employment opportunities are made available to the
    greatest extent possible to these veterans, particularly those who have
    become disabled as a result of their military service. This will assist
    not only the veterans, but also the Federal Government, which will be
    able to benefit from their skills and abilities.
        Finally, we must all recognize the many contributions that have been
    made to our successful military operations by Federal civilian
    employees, both in the Department of Defense and elsewhere in the
    Government. I urge the heads of executive departments and agencies to
    recognize these accomplishments and to use fully the Federal employee
    incentive awards program for this purpose.

                                                                 George Bush