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I'm not bashing the Reserves. What I'm saying is that the Reserves are exactly that... "reserves", to be used in a time of war, say, like World War IV. They should not be surprised that they are being deployed, nor that an employer is unable to hold their civilian jobs for an indefinite amount of time. Plus, the active-duty military is certainly able to hire those reservists who lost their civilian jobs. And as far as the poor little wife and kids at home, we in the civilian world have the same problems. I thank all military servicemen and women for their service to the country. And for those who complain that they've been called to war, well, welcome to the post 9/11 nation. The military is more than just a GI bill or a second income.

I'm not bashing the Reserves.

You are.

They should not be surprised that they are being deployed, nor that an employer is unable to hold their civilian jobs for an indefinite amount of time.

I do not know a single reservist who is surprised to be called up, once, twice, even more. HOWEVER, there is a law to protect these members from being forced out of a job simply because they have been called to the defense of this great country. The employer is not required to hold the job, simply to re-employ the member at a commensurate rate when they return. I could argue that the employers should not be surprised by this either as the law has been on the books for a number of years.

Plus, the active-duty military is certainly able to hire those reservists who lost their civilian jobs.

Surprisingly, this is not true. In fact of the applications I have seen of reservists requesting to go back to active duty, over half are disapproved.

And for those who complain that they've been called to war, well, welcome to the post 9/11 nation. The military is more than just a GI bill or a second income.

Again, I have known zero reservists who have complained about being recalled. There have been a million responses, but every one of them has understood prior to the recall that it was part of the duty they signed up for. What this article refers to is not a complaint about being recalled, but simply wanted protection under the current law. This isn't about the GI bill. They are being recalled to protect this country and stand in support of it's system of laws. I don't feel they are wrongly expecting those laws to be followed in their situation.

If you don't like the law, then I suggest you write your lawmaker and suggest a revision to it. But until then, I, for one, will support and defend those who are not here because they are off supporting and defending me.

I doubt that there are many in the reserves that are surprised at a deployment these days. Oh, there may be a very few (and you can bet that it is those few who will be hauled out by the media, instead of the thousands that do just what they signed up to do - answer the call when needed). Very few of these reservists complain when called up, not all of them look at the Reserve as just "a GI bill and a second income".

I disagree with your assertion that "the active-duty military is certainly able to hire those reservists who lost their civilian jobs". Perhaps, in some cases, this may be true - but the main reason we are using the Reserves so heavily these days is because of the active duty draw down that occurred over the last decade! Thus, the slots are NOT always available.

While I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you are not bashing the Reserves, I find your attitude just a bit cavalier. That is, of course, your right, but one would hope that you give a little thought to what sacrifices some of these men and women are asked to make before brushing off their situations so glibly.

I'm not bashing the Reserves. What I'm saying is that the Reserves are exactly that... "reserves", to be used in a time of war, say, like World War IV. They should not be surprised that they are being deployed, nor that an employer is unable to hold their civilian jobs for an indefinite amount of time. Plus, the active-duty military is certainly able to hire those reservists who lost their civilian jobs. And as far as the poor little wife and kids at home, we in the civilian world have the same problems. I thank all military servicemen and women for their service to the country. And for those who complain that they've been called to war, well, welcome to the post 9/11 nation. The military is more than just a GI bill or a second income.

My point, too.

How many days have you served in a United States military uniform?

You are sounding like an ass...

1) Talking about the "poor LITTLE wife and kids at home".
I am one of those POOR LITTLE WIVES AT HOME..and we did not complain one bit...it was a tough year ( husband left when the little one was 5 WEEKS old and the big one was 3 years old) BUT WE WERE SO PROUD!!!

2) And working as a checkout clerk at Kroger...
Does it matter where one works as long as they do a job well? Should they think, "Oh well, I've lost my livelihood after giving up a year or more for my country?" I guess I will use my Iraqi Freedom Medal to make the next house payment.

3) Being surprised that their jobs are not held open for an indefinite amount of time....
OF COURSE one would be expecting their job back...or they likely would not be able to be in the reserves at all.

4) Not just a second income and a GI BILL?
If you think that this is the reason that reservists sign up, you need to talk to some more of them. And do you have ANY idea what the second income is? Any at all? My husband is an E-8 (Second HIGHEST enlisted rank that there IS...23 years of service...)our "SECOND INCOME" is about $5,000 per year...
Furthermore, do you have ANY IDEA what the VA LOAN GETS YOU? Any idea? It gets you a guarantee to your lender that the first $189K of your home loan is insured by the VA. SO you don't have to pay any Mortgage insurance...it is no MAGIC HOUSE PURCHASING TOOL!

5) The can get an active duty job if they lose their civilian job...
Right....Oh yeah, there are SO MANY jobs open for an Active duty MSgt. They are just SCREAMING for them in Bothell, WA (and before you tell me that we should MOVE to get one of these jobs, don't forget that the civilian job was GUARUNTEED BY LAW to be around when the reservist returned!)

6) Surprised that they are being deployed.
Surprised??? Where do ya get THAT ONE? We knew FOR MONTHS that my husband would be deployed...we just didn't know when. He would have volunteered too, but if you volunteer your employer DOES NOT have to keep your job open.

Who the hell do you think you are making these assertions about our Reservists?

AND AS FAR AS YOU THANKING ALL SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY....IF THIS IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS US, YOU CAN KEEP YOUR THANKS...