Supreme Court Sides With Reservists in Dispute Over Active Duty Pay

An air traffic controller said he was entitled to maintain his civilian salary while serving as a Coast Guard reservist.
Supreme Court Sides With Reservists in Dispute Over Active Duty Pay
The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on March 17, 2025. Win McNamee/Getty Images
Matthew Vadum
Matthew Vadum
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The Supreme Court ruled 5–4 on April 30 that federal employees who also serve as military reservists have to receive pay equivalent to their civilian salaries when they serve on active duty during national emergencies.

The ruling, which may affect tens of thousands of government employees, rejected the federal government’s argument that reservists should receive higher pay only when their duties bear a substantial connection to a specific emergency.