US reservists feel the strain

Thousands of US reservists have been mobilised

By Nick Childs BBC Pentagon correspondent

One of the hallmarks of the US war on terror since 11 September has been the number of National Guard and reservist personnel who have been mobilised.

They are everywhere, from the front lines in Afghanistan to airport security lines back home.

The Navy Operations Centre, in the Pentagon, is run by reservists

Thousands volunteered for duty, but for many the length of the campaign brings special problems.

Deep in the heart of the Pentagon is the US Navy Operations Centre. It is the hub of communications between the fleets and the Chief of Naval Operations, the head of the US Navy.

Vital role

When the USS Cole was blown up in Yemen two years ago, the first call the commanding officer made was to the operations centre.

It is run by reservists, people who give up their time - and in some cases put their jobs on hold - to work there.

Commander Neal Bundo, of the US Navy Reserve, is the battle watch captain in charge of the centre.

He is also one of the 85,000 National Guard and reservists - men and women - currently mobilised for duty.

"Most people I've talked to say they want to know some way they can contribute to the effort since 11 September," he says.

"I am privileged I can do so at this level."

'Total force'

But while he says his position is a privilege, it has its strains too. The Pentagon operates what it calls a "total force" strategy.

The reserves are indispensable in time of war. But as the months drag on, some are worrying increasingly about will happen to their civilian jobs and their families.

The Pentagon is having to deal more and more with questions of morale.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for reserve affairs is Dr John Winkler.

How long are we going to pay the employee? How long should they remain on the job? The government doesn't provide any benefit for that

Peter Liashek, US Navy reserve

"We have been encouraging the services to bring people on active duty in the fewest numbers needed for the shortest period required," he says.

"Recently we have been working with them to advise us on how some demobilisations can occur."

Peter Liashek is a dental surgeon in Germantown, Maryland, and a captain in the US Navy Reserve.

Many reservists have had help from their employers over and above the call of duty since 11 September.

Salaries made up

As well as keeping their jobs open, the companies have paid the difference between their employees' military and civilian earnings.

But Mr Liashek is his own boss in a small practice which would present its own problems if he suddenly got the call to serve.

"Everything stops. So my concern is the employees," he says.

"How long are we going to pay the employee? How long should they remain on the job? The government doesn't provide any benefit for that."

But for Mr Liashek and his family, for other reservists and for Americans in general, the country changed course on 11 September.

Whatever the upheavals, he says he would have no problems if the call came tomorrow.