Under the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act, for contracts and subcontracts entered into with the Federal government before December 1, 2003, a "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the one-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty. See 41 CFR 60-250.2(r).

For contracts and subcontracts entered into with the Federal government on or after December 1, 2003, a "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service. See 41 CFR 60-300.2(q).