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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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