Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 1205.12
February 24, 2016
Incorporating Change 1, Effective May 20, 2016
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Civilian Employment and Reemployment Rights for Service Members, Former Service
Members and Applicants of the Uniformed Services
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This instruction reissues DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1205.12 (Reference (a)) to establish
policy, assign responsibilities, and provide procedures for informing Service members and individuals,
who apply for uniformed service, of their civilian employment and reemployment rights, benefits, and
obligations pursuant to chapter 43 of Title 38, United States Code (referred to in this instruction as the
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) of 1994) (Reference (b)),
specifically sections 4312(a) and 4333 of Reference (b).
2. APPLICABILITY. This instruction:
a. Applies to OSD, the Military Departments (including the Coast Guard at all times, including
when it is a Service in the Department of Homeland Security by agreement with that Department), the
Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field
Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this
instruction as the “DoD Components”).
b. Does not apply to the National Disaster Medical System or to the Commissioned Corps of the
Public Health Service.
3. POLICY. It is DoD policy to support non-career uniformed service by taking appropriate actions to
inform and assist uniformed Service members and former Service members and individuals who apply
for uniformed service of their rights, benefits, and obligations in accordance with Reference (b).
4. RESPONSIBILITIES.
a. Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)).
(1) In addition to the responsibilities in Paragraph 4d, the USD(P&R) has overall responsibility
for DoD policy pertaining to total force management.
