Q. I am a civilian Defense Department employee with approximately 12 years of civil service time (10 years active duty and two as a civilian). I believe a reduction in force is going to happen in the next year and, during that time, I will be mobilized in the Navy Reserve. Can I be let go during that mobilization time?
A. If you are performing active military duty, you are protected from RIF actions and may not be discharged from employment for one year following separation (or six months if you are a reservist called to active duty under 10 U.S.C. 12304 for more than 30 days but less than 181 days, or if you are ordered to an initial period of active duty for training of no less than 12 consecutive weeks).