<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mdtony:
As for them getting paid by their employer when they've been called up, that's the law, and if you don't like it, talk to your Congressman. Don't expect to get anywhere, though, because without the reserves, our military is screwed.[/B]</font>
I'm sure there's someone more knowledgeable than me on this subject, but I think the law only requires the employer to hold a called-up reservist/NG's job open, or at least offer them a comparable job on their return.
As for pay, I think they get active duty pay while on assignment, but I don't think their employers are required to pay them during this period. However, many companies (mine included) pay the difference between the (laughable) reserve/NG pay and their regular salary, as an extra (and taxable, thanks to Uncle Sam) benefit.
As for the comment about us being in bad shape without the reserves, that's an understatement. Approx. 1/2 of troop strength in is the reserves, and some of them are top units. The Air Force, Navy and Marine reserve pilots (made up primarily of airline pilots) regularly outscore active duty units. I'll take experience (like >2,000 hours in type for some of these guys) any day.