Any In Nat Guard Guys here?

[Ggreen]

What is the deal with joining the guard and keeping your current job? Is this a thing? I'm prior USAF and have been kicking around the idea of joining, but I would not be able to afford to lose my current position. Are there guarantees written in law or is it company policy that dictates this? Thanks

 

[HoughMade]

https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ednc/legacy/2011/04/29/EmploymentRights.pdf

When I joined the National Guard I was a college student, so things were pretty easy from that perspective.

 

[drillsgt]

What is the deal with joining the guard and keeping your current job? Is this a thing? I'm prior USAF and have been kicking around the idea of joining, but I would not be able to afford to lose my current position. Are there guarantees written in law or is it company policy that dictates this? Thanks

Yes, technically there are guarantees written in law, doesn't mean they still couldn't try to be shady though.

https://www.esgr.mil/USERRA/What-is-USERRA

 

[red_zr24x4]

When I went in ( about 95) I went and discussed it with the plant manager. Him being ex military probably helped.

 

[Double T]

It's a law. You can't lost your job, but you may have to make a lateral shift in position, especially if you're deployed for >6 months.

 

[HoughMade]

Friend of mine was in the Army Reserve and was put on active duty for 3 years, mostly at Atterbury training others for deployment, but with some time in Afghanistan (that was some global war on terror, doncha know). He went right back to work when he got off of active duty. I don't know if it helped smooth his situation, but he is a metallurgical engineer at a steel mill and was an O-4 in the Reserve (now, retired from the USAR after over 24 years).

Like I said, I was a college student, then a car salesman when I was in the MING and had no issues. But, back then (early '90s) we didn't get activated like units today do.

 

[Vigilant]

Your job is legally protected "technically". Meaning they can't fire you for service, but they can for any other reason they'd like. Does t happen much, but I have seen it happen. Usually the employer is browbeat, and threatened legally and they eventually cave.