War drawdowns wreak havoc on Guard soldiers' lives

[radcen]

How do you feel about this?

I try very hard to support the troops as much as I can. I even believe in giving a little extra to our veterans whenever possible. However, having said that, while I most certainly do feel for these people and their circumstances, I do not believe that we should extend an overseas military commitment unnecessarily, or any thing like that, just to keep them in a job. (Not that they suggested that specifically, I know.)

At this point, though, I do think we need to plan a little better and stop calling up Reserves and National Guard completely, and rely only on active duty personnel.

War drawdowns wreak havoc on Guard soldiers' lives

War drawdowns wreak havoc on Guard soldiers' lives - Yahoo! News

 

[Diving Mullah]

Did I understand this right?

You are arguing in order to keep the soldiers Busy we should occupy a sovereign nation in order to maintain the illusion of having jobs.

Wouldn't it be easier and certainly cheaper to call the all home but let them keep their pay (less chance of them keep getting blown up and they are among friends and family with a good pay)?

Diving Mullah

 

[Aunt Spiker]

This overall subject, though - is the major downside to being a Guardsman or a Reservist . . . it's very disrupting to your life when it's more than just 'one weekend a month - two weeks of the year' and you can't rely on it for income even when you're full-time active duty (like we are)

There are other issues this article brings to light:

1) The guy was gone for two months or so . . . why does he just not have his job back? An employer is suppose to keep your job open for you for a YEAR when you deploy.

2) Per students: this is where I don't care - if you postpone ONE semester you just jump back into the next semester - so no boo-hoo here.

3) This is nothing new - every country throughout history has had to find ways to support soldiers while in Garrison or Stoop.

 

[radcen]

Did I understand this right?

You are arguing in order to keep the soldiers Busy we should occupy a sovereign nation in order to maintain the illusion of having jobs.

No, you didn't understand that right. In fact, I went back and re-read what I wrote and I cannot understand how missed it so completely.

1) The guy was gone for two months or so . . . why does he just not have his job back? An employer is suppose to keep your job open for you for a YEAR when you deploy.

I'm just guessing here, but I'm thinking maybe he quit, and that if a person quits they forfeit their rights job-wise. I don't know for sure.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

No, you didn't understand that right. In fact, I went back and re-read what I wrote and I cannot understand how missed it so completely.



I'm just guessing here, but I'm thinking maybe he quit, and that if a person quits they forfeit their rights job-wise. I don't know for sure.

Here's an article about that - written for employers so they can educate their selves.

In the United States, Leaves of Absence policies relate to Pregnancy Disability Leave, Family Medical Leave, Disability Leave, Sick Leave, Jury Duty Leave, Workers’ Compensation Leave, State Disability Leave, and Military Leaves of Absence. When employees serve in the military during their employment, the company is required to either hold their jobs open or re-employ them in similar positions when they return from their military duties.

Military leaves of absence may be almost any length, with a maximum cumulative leave of five years. When the employee’s service is over, they must provide notice of intent to return to their employer. Under most circumstances, the employer must re-employ the employee.

Once the veteran has been re-employed in their job, they cannot be fired for one year, except for cause, regardless of the period of their active duty. USERRA requires employers to “promptly re-employ” an eligible returning veteran in an “appropriate position.” In most cases this must occur within two weeks of the veteran reporting back to work.

Now - in the last few years apparently this has been extended and strengthened which is a good thing.

So - if this particular soldier and many others don't KNOW about this - that's unacceptable and their superiors have failed their basic duty to support and inform.