Posted on Sep 15, 2016
SPC(P) Information Security (Is) Analyst
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Example I make 3x's more at my civilian job than I do E-4 active duty... What would happen if I get activated and can't pay my bills because of this?
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Responses: 33
SPC Erich Guenther
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Edited >1 y ago
You have another option and that is to find an employer that offers differential pay as part of their military leave package. Have you checked with your current employer? They might do so. Some employers will cover the difference between your GUARD/RESERVE pay and your Civilian Pay while you are deployed...........the benefit is called "differential pay".

Additionally, you should as a matter of good financial planning have an Emergency Fund set aside that covers 7-8 months unemployment versus living paycheck to paycheck. That combined with your Guard / Reserve pay should also cover 12 months.
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TSgt Senior Cyberwarfare Capabilities Instructor/Integrator
TSgt (Join to see)
>1 y
Came here to say this very thing. Some employers do this, some don't. While you still have time, also work a budget to reduce what you can and pay off what you can before you leave. I know, not what you wanted to hear. Good luck.
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CSM William DeWolf
CSM William DeWolf
>1 y
Good advice! When I was mobilized in 2002, I had just taken my current position and my employer maintained my insurance for my family and agreed to make up the difference in salary. Very supportive.
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SPC Erich Guenther
SPC Erich Guenther
>1 y
The other advantage of an Emergency Fund.....open an account at Fidelity and use a combo of Stop Loss orders and Market Limit Orders to make money safely with it. You can see with Fidelity's stock charts over time how stocks swing. Research the stock to see if the dip is largely emotion based and the stock will climb again. Set the Market Limit price to buy so many shares at say one of the dips in the last few weeks. Wait for it to execute (you should get a Email when it does), wait for it to climb, then set a STOP LOSS order good for a year at a price above what you bought the stock for. Easy to do and over time you'll learn the proper amounts for each. This will contribute to your ability to save and so will the dividends earned if you buy safe stocks with dividends. Fidelity charges only $7.95 a trade. Safe stocks to invest in COKE (KO), PROCTOR AND GAMBLE (PG), IBM (IBM), etc. Even if there is a Depression, likely these companies will survive.
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TSgt Operations Intelligence
TSgt (Join to see)
>1 y
Spot on! My employer Booz Allen Hamilton makes up the difference so I don't take a pay cut when activated. Differential pay is the term.
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SFC Christopher Perry
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When I made the choice to go back we took a massive pay cut. My wife and I both had really good jobs. Well, that and the fact that I had been out for fifteen years so I came back in as a PV2. Trust me we adapt to the circumstances our choices bring about.
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LTC Charles T Dalbec
LTC Charles T Dalbec
>1 y
Nobody makes up the difference in pay
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SFC Christopher Perry
SFC Christopher Perry
>1 y
LTC Charles T Dalbec - I've never heard of anyone doing so. However, if you read through the other conversations on the thread some say they have come into contact with companies that do.
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LTC Charles T Dalbec
LTC Charles T Dalbec
>1 y
Check with commander as regulation says you should come back nothing lower than a PFC. ALL Back Pay Must Be Paid To You ok
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SFC Christopher Perry
SFC Christopher Perry
4 y
LTC Charles T Dalbec I came back in at PV2. Regulation said one grade for every year you were out over 12 months. Lowest they could knock you was PV2. Didn’t really matter, I had decided I was going back in, so I didn’t argue. Suppose I should have checked into it further. However, if they had said I was returning as a PV1 I still would have signed. One pay grade one direction or the other was not going to sway my decision at that point.
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CW5 Regimental Chief Warrant Officer
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I hate to be blunt but if that possibility is not tenable for you and your family then you need to leave the reserve component. You can continue to play the odds or move on.
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SPC(P) Information Security (Is) Analyst
SPC(P) (Join to see)
>1 y
Yeah, it's really shitty because I would like to do my 25 years but man, it ain't worth it if it means I can jeopardize what I have
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COL Health Services Plans, Ops, Intelligence, Security,Training
COL (Join to see)
>1 y
SPC(P) (Join to see) - I lost several jobs because I was in the Army Reserves or National Guard. It isn't legal but when a company decides to selectively 'downsize' it is tough to prove that your military service cost you your job. I lost many job opportunities because I informed my potential employer that I was in the Army. It isn't legal but with 94 million people without jobs, it is tough to prove you were the only candidate they could hire. Your options are pretty clear. Suck it up or quit.
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SSG Michael Nantz
SSG Michael Nantz
>1 y
I concur
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