SPDLEAJ52 said:
I was called to active duty from 2003-2004 and everything is protected. They have to keep your position, you still earn vacation and sick time, and your "time" in still accrues. What the sticking point for me was it had to be involuntary. When I came to the end of my deployment, I was offered a tour under title 32, which was voluntary. If I took that, then all bets would have been off. I came back in August of 2004 with no problems. The ESGR (Employer Support for Guard and Reserve (not quite sure of the website) has some good info for this situation, check it out.
SPDLEAJ52
Master Sergeant, ANG
Sorry but i disagree with this portion according to esgr and Department of labor. you cannot be penalized for Military duty either voluntary or otherwise.
However in this case It would depend on where in the Process you are. If hired the Department (any employer) has to hold your position or give you an equal postion upon your return as stated by other in terms of vac sick etc.
Bottom line take the job go to the academy and when they cut orders then turn them in. You will be protected.
I was scheduled for academy and got my orders (deployment was to be 10 weeks into academy) so I told the town I needed to delay the academy. Because I didn't start the academy I wasn't protected. Had I started the academy i would have been protected and date of hire would have been as of then. I went through the Department of Labor.
If you are deployed after being hired the Department can hire a "military replacement" but your position is to remain yours including anything earned as though you were there.
you really should research and arm yourself with knowledge, Try these for starters
www.osc.gov/userra.htm
www.esgr.org
Bill