US Federal Government

A class action lawsuit has been filed against the federal government on behalf of hundreds of thousands of National Guardsmen. The suit alleges plaintiffs are entitled to receive back pay for time spent taking correspondence courses prescribed by the federal government. The suit alleges the guardsmen were expected to take the courses on civilian time, without pay, in order to maintain rank or avoid demotion. Several plaintiffs were demoted after failing to complete all of the sub courses required, such as the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course. The federal lawsuit was originally filed in 2000, but following a congressional counterattack, lawyers are now resuming the legal fight.