; or (ii) the individual retired below the rank of major or its equivalent; (B) a veteran who has been discharged or released from active duty for more than 10 years, as of the date on which the individual would be appointed; or (C) a veteran who is an employee who has been in the competitive service for more than 2 years, as of the date on which the individual would be appointed; and . (b) Veterans’ preference as a tiebreaker among equally qualified candidates (1) Registers of eligibles Section 3313 of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 3313. Competitive service