Reservists treated like second class citizens
This another one of those things that really fries me...Reservists realize, when they sign up, that they might be called up to active duty at any time. Most Reservists have full time jobs, families to support, bills to pay. When they go on active duty, their jobs (or at least comparable positions) are supposed to be protected until they return.
This is not what is happening to many returning Reservists and Guardsmen:
These veterans deserve better treatment than they are receiving today. They deserve full benefits and job security. They need to be assured that after they have served their duty to the US, that their rights as individual citizens have been protected. They should not have to serve 2 or 3 deployments, which totally disrupts their lives and their livelihood.
Miulang
This another one of those things that really fries me...Reservists realize, when they sign up, that they might be called up to active duty at any time. Most Reservists have full time jobs, families to support, bills to pay. When they go on active duty, their jobs (or at least comparable positions) are supposed to be protected until they return.
This is not what is happening to many returning Reservists and Guardsmen:
The number of reservists and National Guard members who say they have been reassigned, lost benefits or been fired from civilian jobs after returning from duty has increased by more than 70 percent over the past six years.
The sharp spike in complaints brought to the U.S. Labor Department reflects the extensive use of part-time soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, the largest call-up of reserves since the 1950-53 Korean War.
About 500,000 of the 850,000 reservists and National Guard members eligible for duty have been mobilized since late 2001, said Maj. Rob Palmer, spokesman for a Pentagon office that tries to resolve job disputes.
...Those numbers don't reflect all the servicemen and women with problems. Many of the cases are settled before they get to the Labor Department.
The Pentagon received more than 8,000 complaints this year, nearly double the previous year, but most were resolved without further government action, Palmer said. Complaints range from being fired, losing chances for promotion or being reassigned to jobs with less pay or responsibility.
The sharp spike in complaints brought to the U.S. Labor Department reflects the extensive use of part-time soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, the largest call-up of reserves since the 1950-53 Korean War.
About 500,000 of the 850,000 reservists and National Guard members eligible for duty have been mobilized since late 2001, said Maj. Rob Palmer, spokesman for a Pentagon office that tries to resolve job disputes.
...Those numbers don't reflect all the servicemen and women with problems. Many of the cases are settled before they get to the Labor Department.
The Pentagon received more than 8,000 complaints this year, nearly double the previous year, but most were resolved without further government action, Palmer said. Complaints range from being fired, losing chances for promotion or being reassigned to jobs with less pay or responsibility.
Miulang
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