I was made aware of this story last night while hosting You Served Radio. I brought up the link but did not get a chance to read it until today. Even though I am not a fan of IAVA’s leadership, there are many that are part of the organization whom have a true heart and Mr. Jonathan Raab seems to be one of them.
The argument he bring up in the guest blog written at http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/wanted-a-good-job-and-some-understanding/ is a good one and completely true in my eyes.
Last night on the show, former Marine Drill Instructor and now actor and friend, Joe Harrell called in to talk about this issue and how true this reality is. I have to agree with him that the “patriotism” of 2001-2003 has worn off.
I know of several incidents where employers have shunned their employees or potential employees due to current military service in the National Guard or Reserves.
Mr. Raab says it very clear in the blog at one point near the end…
“Everybody wants to support the troops until they have to share in the hardship and sacrifice,” I said. “Then all of a sudden that bumper sticker or that flag pin doesn’t mean anything anymore.”
I totally get that business is business and it is not personal, but this is not a personal thing. Citizen-soldiers are not asking for special favors or considerations, they are asking for tolerance. Tolerance to the fact that they have volunteered to serve the country, even in a part-time basis. But it is not always part-time and sometimes that means they have to serve for an extended time.
This is not personal, this is a duty by companies who are afforded the rights and freedoms to operate in this country. These men and women have raised their hand and volunteered to defend this country against all enemies foreign or domestic. If they are National Guard, they also have swore to act on orders of the Governor of their state. This could mean helping people shovel out of bad snowstorms, fill sandbags to keep communities from being flooded or even help patrol a street or airport or train station in times of heightened threats.
I have said it a million times as have others, “America is at the mall, while the military is at war”. If a company having to step up and maybe back-fill someone who serves or give a citizen-soldier a couple of days off a month means that is their “sacrifice”, I would say they are still getting off pretty easy.
I have been very, very lucky in my work history to have had worked for great companies that respected and honored my military service when I was still in. From my first civilian job that I got just a week after getting out of the active army until the day I retired from the National Guard I worked for companies that did more than what was required by law to support me and my service. I was then and still am today very grateful for their support.
As a 1SG in the National Guard, I was very aware that not every one of my soldiers had that same level of support from their company or their school. I dealt with many employers (and some professors) on behalf of my soldiers. What makes it worse is that my time as a 1SG was done in the New York National Guard, the same Brigade in fact that Mr. Raab is in and the Brigade that has been called on time and time again since the attacks of 9/11. Which was very personal for many members of the NY National Guard. Why that makes it worse is because you would think that as the state which lost the most people on 9/11, companies whom operate in that state would be the most supportive of its guard members.
But it is what it is, and I guess it is something that citizen-soldiers will have to do their best to deal with. I just hope that maybe Mr. Raab’s article sheds light on the subject and maybe a little shame on those who are employers whom this would apply to.
I wanted to let you know about Patriot Golf Day, the largest annual grassroots golf event in the country to honor the sacrifices of military veterans and their families. 
