References: (a) DoD Directive 5110.4, “Washington Headquarters Services (WHS),”

reissues Reference (b) to disseminate policies and update responsibilities and procedures for selection of employees covered by merit promotion. 2. APPLICABILITY. See Enclosure 1. 3. POLICY. It is OSD policy that: a. Merit promotions and/or selections will be made without regard to political, religious, or labor-organization affiliation or nonaffiliation, marital status, race, color, sex, national origin, nondisqualifying disability, or age. b. All aspects of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and DoD priority placement requirements shall be followed (including the OPM Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan for Displaced Employees), where appropriate, as required by part 330 of Reference (c). c. Interviews are encouraged. The selecting official may use discretion in determining which, and how many, applicants are interviewed using job-related questions. Selecting officials may interview all, some, or none of the applicants. They are responsible for defending their judgments and will document reasons for selection on the referral list. AI 33, December 24, 2008 d. Evaluation of applicants shall be based solely on job-related criteria that relate t