Originally posted by ancientmariner
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I would rate Covid as such an emergency scenario, the difficulty in manning ships would fall below a requirement for compulsory call up. Well below it.
It goes far beyond just job security (which is important, don't get me wrong). Most reservists are in demanding civilian careers and whilst you legally can give them job security, being pulled repeatedly away from their primary employment at short notice will devastate their progression in their civilian jobs.
Take a look at how the UK do this.
- Most reservists still on the same one evening a week, one weekend a month model with two weeks annual training. Some of course do much much more.
- When reservists are activated, it is a very formal process and generally for a deployment.
- Reservists can elect to serve on a full time contract with the forces with full pay parity and benefits. The length of the contract is defined and agreed in advance and can even be multi year in duration. Example, they can't be called up for six months and then sent home after four weeks unneeded.
- When reservists are called up for a deployment, their pay is matched up to their civilian employer (up to certain limits). This would be important too. The mortgage still needs to be paid.
Personally, if I was to spend any more that a few weeks with the DF, it would need to be preplanned, of multi month duration and I'd require both job security and top up pay to pay the bills.
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