‘Pay reservists half of salary while in Iraq’

Lawmakers want to pass a bill that entitles government-employed reservists in active duty to get one-half of their salary once their military leave and accrued annual leave are exhausted.

Introduced by Rep. Clyde Norita, House Bill 14-218 provides that government employees who are members of the U.S. Army Reserve and will be deployed in Iraq should get half of their pay. But it says that only those reservists in active duty for a continuous period of one year would be eligible for the pay.

The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Jesus SN. Lizama, Crispin Ogo, and Ray Yumul, who is a member of the deployed unit.

In related matters, Rep. David Apatang also introduced Thursday House Bill 14-215, which would entitle the reservists to paid administrative leave.

Earlier, Rep. Justo Quitugua introduced a House Joint Resolution asking the governor and heads of different agencies to grant administrative leave to military reservists called to active duty when their accrued annual leave is exhausted.

The resolution said that some of the CNMI reservists who will be deployed to Iraq will have accrued limited annual leave time insufficient to cover the extended leave of absence from work.

It indicates that such assistance would be important since members of the CNMI Army Reserve “have existing financial obligations.”

“It is our obligation to accord our service members safeguards, assistance, and protection to give them the peace of mind to focus on their tasks at hand,” it said.

CNMI reservists who left the Commonwealth for training Wednesday will be deployed to Iraq for one year beginning February next year.

They will initially undergo training in Hawaii and later move to other states, including Texas and Louisiana, prior to their actual deployment to Iraq in February 2005.

Authorities said they will be given a Christmas break from Dec. 20 to Jan. 3.

The Pentagon issued the call-up to reinforce depleted U.S. military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Rep. Heinz Hofschneider inquired during Thursday’s session if the reservists’ FTE funding would remain available throughout the duration of their deployment.

“Do they continue to receive pay? Are they entitled to salary for their positions?” he asked.

This, as some raised concerns over the lack of the same protections for reservists working in the private sector. “How about those employed by private companies who are also serving in Iraq?” asked a government official.

CNMI reservists are part of the 100th Battallion, 442nd Infantry Division.