Despite general perceptions that Guardsmen and Reservists
lose income when called to active duty, most actually
earn more, a new Rand Corp. study reveals. The nonprofit
research organization’s study, commissioned by the Defense
Department, shows that 72 percent of the more than
100,000 troops surveyed saw their earnings jump 25
percent when called to active duty. Their average pay
hike amounted to about $10,000 a year, Rand officials
said. Researchers found, however, that 28 percent of the
RC members in the study lost pay after being called to
active duty. About one-fifth of the survey group lost 10
or more percent of their normal income. The results
suggest that recent rises in military pay and benefits as
well as increased enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses
are helping bridge gaps between military and civilian
pays, said Army Lt. Col. Bob Stone, DoD Reserve affairs
spokesman.
