No AF Reserve on Mandatory Deployment?

[djmsailor]

I was just told by someone on the 800 line for the Air Force that there are currently no Reserve Duty RNs that are on mandatory deployment only voluntary deployment. Can anyone confirm or debunk this? I am very interested in pursuing Reserve duty when I am done with school, but my wife and 1 month old baby are concerned about deployment time. Thanks in advance for any information.

[rghbsn, BSN, RN]

They HAVE to let you go to drill. There is no option for them. They do NOT have to keep you in the same position, same unit, etc. You could be told that they want you to work a Mon-Tue after drill weekends, or Thur before your weekend and Monday after...who knows. But they can't not allow you to be gone for drill.

They can make working there suck for you so you want to leave, though. I have not met people like that, but they are around.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

By rghbsn saying the hospital HAS to let you, they're saying that there is a Federal law that protects you and forbids them from saying you can't go, or that they'll fire you if you do.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

In the rules it also states they have to give you off time for rest and travel to your reserve center. Which means if you have to report for drill at 0730 Sat. a.m. and the reserve center is across the street they can not make you work the 7p-7a shift Friday night with you getting off Sat. a.m. Also they can not make you return to work Sunday eve at 7p after you get off drill on Sunday afternoon.

Also, they can not make you use benefit time for the time that you miss for military duty. If you miss any shifts for reserve duty they also do not have to pay you for that time unless there is a union contract that states that or if they give you x number of hours of military leave.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

they have to let you go to drill. there is no option for them. they do not have to keep you in the same position, same unit, etc. you could be told that they want you to work a mon-tue after drill weekends, or thur before your weekend and monday after...who knows. but they can't not allow you to be gone for drill.

you have the option if you want to work on your off time to make up the time missed if you are on a set schedule.

they can make working there suck for you so you want to leave, though. i have not met people like that, but they are around.

very true and some places have made it that way, others have bent over backwards for the reservist. the biggest thing is to work with them by letting them know as far in advance as possible about your military activities and the time that you need off. sometimes all it takes is a little education for the employers to know what they can and can't not do. if you have any problems get ahold of the esgr at esgr.com who are there to support you and educate the employers on yours & your employers rights.