Public and Community Service (PACS) Registry Program
The 1993 National Defense Authorization Act, P L. 102-484, [10 USC, 1143 a(c)] requires
the Secretary of Defense to maintain a registry of public and community service
organizations. Service members selecting early retirement under the Temporary Early Retirement
Act (TERA) are registered on the Public and Community Service Personnel Registry prior to release
from active duty. Service members looking for employment in the public and community service
arena to include those retiring under TERA, can access the PACS Organization Registry to see which
organizations have registered for the purpose of hiring separating military personnel in public and
community service jobs. In addition, Service members with approved retirement under TERA to
earn additional credit towards full retirement at age 62 by working in a public or community
service job.
Employers who wish to advertise job openings in the public and community service arena on the
DoD Operation Transition Bulletin Board (TBB) at www.dmdc.osd.mil/ot will complete the DD Form
2581, “Operation Transition Employer Registration” and the DD Form 2581-1, “Public and Community
Service Organization Validation.” Then, the organization will be included in the Operation
Transition employer database and also be listed on the PACS organization registry. Completing
the DD Forms is a requirement for posting employment opportunities (want ads) on the
TBB.
PACS employers hiring Service members who retired under the TERA program are required to
complete both DD Forms 2581 and 2581-1. TERA retirees who are employed by approved PACS
organizations during their enhanced retirement qualification period (ERQP) enables them to earn
additional retirement credit and enhanced retirement pay beginning at age 62. Retirees
interested in gaining the additional credit towards full retirement can go to the TBB to look for
PACS employment opportunities as well as see a list of approved PACS organizations. Please
refer to the website at
www.dmdc.osd.mil/ot.
The Public and Community Service organizational registry program is just another tool
separating service members can use to get their names in front of nonprofit, public and community
service organizations such as schools, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, social service agencies
and many more for employment opportunities.
