Date

5-2024

Document Type

Capstone Project (Open Access)

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department

Health, Human Services and Public Policy

Major

Collaborative Health & Human Services

First Advisor

Esmeralda Maldonado

Second Advisor

Gladys Cabadas

Abstract

The National Guard and Reservists are members of the U.S. military who face wage loss due to their Inactive Training Duty (ITD). This issue stems from contributing factors such as an employer's lack of knowledge of service obligations, inadequate legal protections, and inadequate preparation for ITD. The lack of legal protections while service members attend mandatory training exacerbates their financial burden. These contributing factors lead to severe consequences, such as financial strain on service members. One of these financial strains is using vacation accrual hours to supplement income. Burnout, fatigue, and stress from a lack of paid leave can lead military personnel to experience a decrease in operational readiness. In turn, this impacts recruitment and retention. These reductions can jeopardize the country's safety and the military community.

The Monterey Veterans Affairs Office (MVAO) dedicates its time to bettering the lives of Veterans by offering services, advocacy, and assistance to the families of service members. The MVAO seeks to bridge a gap in benefits for National Guardsmen/Reservists, which will eliminate wage loss due to their ITD. I drafted a policy to help create supplemental income. This policy intends to mitigate the impact of loss of wages. It is expected that the new leave of absence policy will promote an increase in health benefits along with financial security. However, the county has yet to deliberate on the policy. It is anticipated that it will pass by the end of the year.

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