How many of you have had companies or people violate the Service Members Civil Relief Act?

2014-02-04T21:36:17-05:00

Thankfully the government has passed laws that support our service members when they deploy or PCS. I have heard horror stories though of companies and landlords etc not honor it. What have you seen or experienced. You can check out the link for more information on it.

http://artofthinkingsmart.com/servicemembers-civil-relief-act/

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act - The Art Of Thinking Smart

Important information about The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

Response by SSG Andrew Dydasco made Feb 4 at 2014 10:23 PM

2014-02-04T22:23:42-05:00

I'm not sure if it falls under the same category of protections, but I remember I was summoned for jury duty during Basic Training, and I wasn't aware of it until after AIT when I got to my first duty station in Germany nearly 5 months after being summoned. I was trying to explain my case to the court but they were being difficult. After nearly a year of bouts, they finally just dropped the whole thing. Like I said, I'm not sure if this would qualify, but it's the closest thing I that has happened to me that caused me headache.

Response by SSgt George Brown made Feb 4 at 2014 10:29 PM

2014-02-04T22:29:23-05:00

Major Chang, doesn't the JAG have lease addition forms that you can add to a lease which the landlord would sign that states in the case of deployment or PCS that the lease is null and void without recourse?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2014 1:26 AM

2014-02-07T01:26:58-05:00

I have also heard horror stories, some from people I know well. I seem to have been extremely lucky though.

During my National Guard career thus far I have been with the same civilian employer the entire time, who has been absolutely supportive of my military service. Any time I have had orders (over a third of the time I've been employed there), whether short or long term, I have presented them and simply been told, okay, see you when you return. Upon return, I am always easily returned to work with all the seniority and pay raises I would have had if I had never left.

Don't forget the benefits that apply to financial services (loans, credit card interest, etc.). Some lenders have gone above and beyond the SCRA requirements, waiving fees not required to be waived and lowering interest below the mandated 6%.

Response by SSG Zach McIlwain made Dec 14 at 2014 12:44 PM

2014-12-14T12:44:34-05:00

Relief under the SCRA places the onus on the Servicemember to prove that they are entitled to it. As a Financial Regulator, I spend a great deal of my time discussing this with the banks that I regulate. While most financial institutions are aware of the SCRA, virtually none of those that I regulate ever have requests for relief. That being said, there are a number of great provisions in the SCRA to assist Servicemembers. I only wish more took of advantage of it.