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November 3, 2008 3:31 AM

Citizen soldiers returning from active military duty are entitled by law to get back their old jobs or at least the same salaries, but many are still having trouble. Lesley Stahl reports

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by ajhart26 November 5, 2008 7:43 PM EST
Boy I thought I had it bad, but servicemembers from the Pentagon can''t even get their jobs back. That is really a shame and very saddening.
I too can relate, I was deployed in 2006 with Kentucky National Guard and when I came back to my to my job I was told I no longer had one. Now mind you I was in contact with the General Manager both verbally and in writting, but was still turned down.
I took my situation to ESGR, Dept. of Labor, JAG, but to no avail. I was told that there wasn''t anything that could be done other than hire a public lawyer because it was a civil matter.
As a result of that biils began piling up, my wife and I (and the kids) lost our home and were caught in a downward spiral to the extent that our kids were taken from us due to being homless.
As of late August 2008, we have gotten the kids back and are renting a house no thanks to Uncle Sam.
On Sept 25 2008, I re enlisted with the Kentucky National Guard even though my wife has been totally against it. I can''t completly blame here.
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by contactdenny November 4, 2008 6:33 PM EST
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a national committee under the US Department of Defense, has both paid staff and thousands of volunteers nationwide dedicated to developing constructive outreach to employers of Guard and Reserve personnel. This outreach includes Ombudsman and Employer Outreach for BossLifts and Awards, and Briefings with the Boss. Visit ESGR.mil to learn more.
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by upssoldier1 November 4, 2008 1:17 AM EST
True as can be. United Parcel service takes away a reservists holiday pay and health care for a month if they serve more than 17 days in a month. The best thing is the Army AT is a mandatory 29 days now. Two weeks a year my A**. The Army only deploys Reservists up to 29 days to save money also. So, here we are withe reservist getting screwed by both parties. How great is that, I loose health benefits one month a year because Ia''m serving my country.
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by flyby21 November 3, 2008 11:23 PM EST
How true this report is! Got activated twice for 1 year each time after 9/11 and lost my civilian job. Have not had any luck finding an new job cuz everytime they find out I''m a reservist I loose! Crying shame that I support my country but they leave us out to hang!
The active duty military end strength has been cut so low that they rely on the guard and reserves and treat us like we are still active duty. Why cuz we cost the government less money. Well if your going to use us like active duty then damm it pay us like it! Let the reservist retire after 20 years and draw their retirement pay immediately and NOT wait till we turn 60!
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by dtartt33 November 3, 2008 8:44 PM EST
I served 2 years on active duty and upon returning was not place in the position entitled and loss $10,000,000. Dept. of Defense and DOL more specifically refused to help and supposedly investigated for 18 months but did not contact my employer for 5 months. as a physicain loss ten million and counting. Called Sec Hall last night and was told i would be contacted today, but no phone call.
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by lackeynet1 November 3, 2008 7:58 PM EST
How many times have Bush Cheney and even McCain proven they could care less about the welfare of the common troops. Flag waving chicken-hawks prove time and time again, that the warrior is always used and abused and forgotten.

Steve Batts
Army Veteran
American Legion Member
Veteran of Foreign War member
American Legion and Patriot Guard Rider
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by dynamomatrix November 3, 2008 4:20 PM EST
I did not know that there was a such a law.That is Great.When i came back in 1969 from three years
of service in the navy i went back to Wallachs
Dept. Store in Manhattan I worked there for a year,
I thought i would be received with open arms.And then,the let down. The Manager told me I could not
get my job back.I was 21 at the time.I Can relate to
the article.Just think of the Millions of soldiers, that this, has happen to. Thank you
Reply to this comment
by dynamomatrix November 3, 2008 4:19 PM EST
I did not know that there was a such a law.That is Great.When i came back in 1969 from three years
of service in the navy i went back to Wallachs
Dept. Store in Manhattan I worked there for a year,
I thought i would be received with open arms.And then,the let down. The Manager told me I could not
get my job back.I was 21 at the time.I Can relate to
the article.Just think of the Millions of soldiers, that this, has happen to. Thank you
Reply to this comment
by dynamomatrix November 3, 2008 4:17 PM EST
I did not know that there was a such a law.That is Great.When i came back in 1969 from three years
of service in the navy i went back to Wallachs
Dept. Store in Manhattan I worked there for a year,
I thought i would be received with open arms.And then,the let down. The Manager told me I could not
get my job back.I was 21 at the time.I Can relate to
the article.Just think of the Millions of soliders that this has happen to. Thank you
Reply to this comment
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