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       TOPIC AREA: VOLUNTEER VS. MOBILIZATION

       SUBMITTED BY: HQ AFRES/SGXO
       
        ISSUE: Employer and family hardships imposed by volunteering.
       
       OBSERVATION: The adverse impacts on a volunteer are far greater
       than on those involuntarily recalled.
       
       DISCUSSION: Many individuals had a difficult time explaining to
       their employers that they were "volunteering" for active duty.
       In some cases this had adverse effects on reinstatement rights of
       the employee, as well as affecting other civilian employee
       benefits. When calling for volunteers, the most qualified
       individuals are not always available; What you see is what you
       get. Many families were disrupted due to not knowing the
       duration of the volunteer deployments, and not being aware of
       dependent benefits and support organizations which the active
       duty force has the benefit and use of. Also, the Soldiers and
       Sailors Relief Act cannot be taken advantage of in a volunteer
       status.
       
       IMPACT: Volunteers faced financial as well as personal
       hardships.
       
       RECOMMENDATION: Depending on the size and scope of a
       contingency, efforts should be made to utilize an involuntary
       recall vs. a volunteer force. This will provide employers with
       specifics as to the duration of an employees absense and the
       legal responsibilities of both. Financial aid will also become
       more easily obtainable for affected families.
       
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