Evidence of abuse by DEA bosses?

2015-07-16T11:23:26-04:00

The article indicates that the boss of several veteran DEA members who are/were in the reserves has repeatedly taken actions that can be seen as harassing, or negative.

Have you ever experienced anything like this? I know that most businesses say they are military/veteran friendly (see my thought on that in a different thread), but is that just a ploy to get employees, & once they are in, the friendliness subsides?

It this a backlash to the whole "revere our vets above all others"-type movement in this country? Are some people jaded?

'Playing army': Military reservists with DEA jobs say agency bosses ridiculed their service

More than a dozen senior DEA agents are accusing the law enforcement agency of discrimination due to their military service according to interviews and court documents obtained by Fox News.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 16 at 2015 11:29 AM

2015-07-16T11:29:32-04:00

If these allegations prove to be true, it would be an obvious violation of the Service Members Civil Relief Act!

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jul 16 at 2015 11:39 AM

2015-07-16T11:39:50-04:00

I experienced the same thing with the same agency

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Jul 16 at 2015 12:03 PM

2015-07-16T12:03:35-04:00

just watched this on Fox news. I am astounded by this story. I don't understand why these DEA agents view serving your country as "a bad thing"

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jul 16 at 2015 1:20 PM

2015-07-16T13:20:50-04:00

A few thoughts:
- The allegations need to be investigated.
- If the allegations are proven then the offenders should be prosecuted and/or fired.
- Unfortunately, the executive branch and the current administration have proven to be very selective in what they consider to be crimes, what should be investigated, and have NO track record on holding personnel accountable for standards. I challenge anyone to name me one person in the executive branch who has been held accountable for incompetent or illegal behavior in the last six years. Eric Shinseki does not count because he resigned, he was not fired. That is a case of a person holding himself accountable and not the administration holding subordinates accountable.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jul 19 at 2015 1:55 AM

2015-07-19T01:55:26-04:00

I am not surprised. Its very common for reservists who are also in civilian law enforcement. Generally, its not that overt as the alleged DEA case. Reservists must carefully balance their civilian obligations with their military obligations. In the case of reservists, their military experience enhances their civilian skill and they are also employees. Its hurts the organization when your best employees are constantly gone. So I can see how some employers would be hesitant to have reservist employees and have them gone for months at a time. However, I have also seen some reservists take advantage of the system and constantly volunteer for deployment at the expense of the civilian employer. Its important as a Reservist to maintain that balance between your civilian job and your military job .

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jul 27 at 2015 1:56 AM

2015-07-27T01:56:52-04:00

Been there, have that T-Shirt. The good thing is that bosses come and go, your service is a way of life. And, Karma has a way of coming around the corner. There are remedies for this behavior, but those remedies will have an adverse effect on the career. If you take on the administration, you will be "that guy". Kind of like getting run over in a cross walk, you can be dead right.

It is tough to juggle two careers, and it is tough for managers to juggle an employee with military obligations. A good employer will go the extra mile. I am fortunate, because my last and my current bosses have been great, before that was not so much! Makes you really appreciate the good ones. Communication is the key to success. Provide notifications as soon as possible, and keep them informed. Fewer surprises, the better.