For the almost 40% of the US military with real jobs. 

We talk business, finance, news, and culture for the National Guard and Reserve.

This week:

• A Quick Poll: God Damn it…

• Unequal Leave: A Sh*t Ton of Companies are Breaking the Law. Maybe Yours.

• Shutdown Slugfest: Troops Paid—for Now. Reservists and Techs Left Hanging

• AUSA 2025 Recap: Buzz Words and Lethality

• News Roundup: What Happened Last Week?

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Quick Pole Poll

Since we don’t know what we’re doing, or really who reads this, we want to hear from you, the heroes, about where we should focus or maybe what we’re missing.

Unequal Leave: A Sh*t Ton of Companies are Breaking the Law. Maybe Yours.

Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), companies must provide military leave benefits that are equal to or better than those offered for similar non-military absences such as jury duty, bereavement leave, or parental leave.

Guess what? We see companies doing this ALL. THE. TIME.

Here’s a common example: a company proudly offers four months of paid parental leave, but only 30 days of paid military leave before requiring Guard or Reserve members to go unpaid. That imbalance isn’t just bad optics — it’s a potential violation of federal law.

Courts have consistently ruled that if an employer provides generous paid leave for non-military reasons, it must apply the same standard to employees fulfilling military obligations. The intent is simple: service members shouldn’t lose income or benefits for meeting their duty requirements.

Bottom line: USERRA’s protections aren’t optional, and many organizations may be out of compliance without realizing it.

Don’t believe us?

Take a look at your company’s leave policies. Compare how military leave stacks up to other paid absences — and let Friendly Forces know what you find. Real data helps drive fair policies for all who serve part-time.

Your Job. Your Service. Your Attorney.

Boss giving you grief about your military commitments? Call Brian Lawler.

If you’re running into problems with your employer due to your military service, contact Brian Lawler.

Brian’s a former Marine pilot, reservist, and one of the top USERRA attorneys in the country. He knows the law better than your HR department, and he’s made a career out of holding employers accountable.

Free consult. No win, no fee.
If your job’s on the line, Brian’s the guy you want in the fight.

Set up a meeting here.

Shutdown Slugfest: Troops Paid—for Now. Reservists and Techs Left Hanging

Week three of the shutdown, and DoD’s doing financial gymnastics to keep the lights on. Roughly $8 billion in leftover funds are being repurposed to make sure active-duty and mobilized Guard/Reserve paychecks still hit the bank. Good news for those in uniform full-time.

But for the part-timers, techs, and civilian backbone of the force, things are getting rough. Thousands of Guard technicians and support staff are furloughed, and drills could go unpaid if this standoff drags on. Some states are trying to front funds to keep Guard missions running, but it’s a patchwork fix at best.

The troops are working, the mission continues—but pay security is riding on a political knife’s edge. The Pentagon admits the workaround won’t last forever, and if Congress doesn’t settle up soon, even active-duty accounts could go dry.

What’s the overall lesson here? Elections matter. Let’s quit electing do-nothing clowns to office.

Here’s a list of resoures if you’re in a financial bind because of the shutdown

Army Emergency Relief - Provides grants and interest-free loans for Soldiers and families facing emergencies such as rent, utilities, or travel during pay disruptions.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) - Offers zero-interest loans and grants to Sailors, Marines, and eligible family members during financial hardship, including shutdown periods.

Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) - Supports Airmen, Guardians, and their families with emergency grants or loans when military pay is delayed or interrupted.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) - Provides interest-free loans and grants to Coast Guard members and civilian employees affected by shutdowns or unexpected financial needs.

Code of Support Foundation (COSF) - Connects military families to tailored financial, legal, and support resources — including direct help during shutdowns.

Operation Homefront - Provides financial assistance and critical family support services to military members and veterans in need.

USAA – Government Shutdown Assistance - Offers qualified members interest-free loans (up to one paycheck) if federal pay is delayed, plus budgeting and hardship support.

Navy Federal Credit Union – Paycheck Assistance Program
Provides 0 % APR loans for active-duty service members and federal employees whose pay is affected by a government shutdown.

PenFed Credit Union – Member Relief Program
Offers short-term relief options, including deferred payments and personal loan assistance, for members impacted by income delays.

AUSA 2025 Recap: Buzz Words and Lethality

At the AUSA 2025 Annual Meeting & Exposition (Oct 13-15), the U.S. Army laid out sweeping changes: accelerated modernization, a rebooted acquisition process and a sharper focus on training and readiness.

Is this all just talk or will action ensure? I don’t know, but AUSA selfies spammed the hell out of my LinkedIn feed all week.

The Army used its flagship event to showcase how the future force will fight. Key tech drops included next-gen drones, hybrid vehicles, and the debut of command-on-the-move systems that slash decision cycles.

In a pointed keynote, Secretary Dan Driscoll didn’t mince words: the acquisition system is broken and must be remade. He announced a forthcoming consolidation of Army buying under a single organization and pledged a “Silicon Valley-style” sprint for prototypes.

On the human side, senior enlisted leaders pressed home the importance of tough, realistic training at home station, warning that troops are losing edge while waiting for transformation.

Oh and Anduril announced some new, integrated heads up display that you will never get and which probably won’t work.

We Got Your Unit Merch Needs Covered

If you want to make baller ass unit gear repping our logo suite, check out The Fratty Guard Unit Collab Store.

Or for the GOAT classics, check out The Fratty Guard Store.

PART⚡TIME News: What Happened Last week

Trump admin asks Supreme Court to allow National Guard deployment in Illinois

Why So Many Military Leaders Are Leaving Early

Air Force squadrons are closing — reversing it demands investment

Journalists turn in access badges, exit Pentagon rather than agree to new reporting rules

Republican veterans and reservists urge Democrats to reopen government

Microsoft: Russia, China Increasingly Using AI to Escalate Cyberattacks on the US

Here’s Why the Pentagon Says It Can Pay Troops with Money Intended for Research

Support the Fight

If you support the work that Friendly Forces does, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help keep the lights on. Every bit helps. Turns out stuff is expensive and we put countless man hours into the work.

That’s it for this week.

Absolutely massive things coming.