Robbins: Deactivated Reservists Should Qualify for
Veterans Preference
Harrisburg – State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) is introducing
legislation that would ensure that the state military veterans
preference law is extended to deactivated reservists, such as those
who served in Iraq.
Robbins is introducing legislation to ensure that the provisions of
the state veterans preference law are extended to military reservists
and members of the National Guard who are federally activated for war
or armed conflict--such as the Iraq conflict--then released from that
active duty to serve out their remaining service obligation in the
military reserves. The preferences include credits in civil service
examinations.
"The dangers faced by reservists in Iraq are just as real as those
faced by other servicemen and women," said Robbins, a veteran of the
Vietnam War. "The intent of the veterans preference law is to
acknowledge the special contributions of military veterans, and
reservists activated for combat clearly fit into that category."
The legislation is similar to a companion piece in the House of
Representatives, House Bill 2055. The Senator said it would clear up a
gray area in the law that prevents the State Civil Service Commission
from awarding veterans preference to a recently deactivated reservist
because the reservist was "released from active duty" rather than
"honorably discharged" from such military service, as is required in
current state law.
"America now draws its military defense from an array of sources,
and the state veterans preference law should reflect that," said
Robbins. "The men and women of the reserves make a special commitment
to our country, and that commitment should be returned when they are
released from active duty."
The measure, which will be introduced as Senate Bill 1086, is
supported by the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council, the Pennsylvania
State Veterans' Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Military
and Veterans Affairs.
CONTACT: Nate Silcox (717) 787-1322
