What do federal jobs look like during a military deployment?

The whole going to college thing isn't feeling like a perfect fit for me right now, and I'm leaning more towards the idea of getting a federal job after high school. Also, I'm considering enlisting in the reserves. How do federal jobs work if you're also in the military and get deployed? Hoping someone with experience can chime in!

From an employment perspective, those who serve in the U.S. military reserves and are federal employees are provided certain protections and benefits during and after periods of active military service. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is a federal law that establishes rights and responsibilities for members of the Uniformed Services and their civilian employers.

Under USERRA, if you leave your civilian job (including a federal job) for military service, you have the right to be reemployed in your civilian job if you leave the service under honorable conditions. There are some time limits for returning to work that depend on how long you were on active duty. For example, if you served for less than 31 days, you must report back to work by the next scheduled workday after your service ends (allowing time for travel back home and an 8-hour rest period). If you served for more than 30 days but less than 181, you must submit an application for reemployment within 14 days of end of service.

Regarding wages and benefits, upon your return, you should be treated as if you never left for deployment. This includes status, pay, and vacation accrual - all of which should be the same or better had you continued in your civilian job without interruption.

These rules can be complex, so before deploying, I recommend discussing your situation with your agency's human resources officer. Aside from these protections, many agencies have their own policies supporting employees who serve in the reserves, such as paying a certain percentage of the difference between the military pay and civilian salary if the military pay is lower.

Keep in mind, balancing reserve duties and a full-time job can be challenging. Time management and communication are key for handling both responsibilities. Many reservists note that an open dialogue with their civilian employer about their obligations can lead to flexibility in scheduling and mutual understanding. It's essential to familiarize yourself with your rights under USERRA and similar laws to ensure you're treated correctly when balancing military service with your civilian career.