City employees who are called up to active military service have an option that no other city offers – they can choose to receive their regular city salary and benefits along with their military pay (“War Vets Bleeding Back Pay,” Nov. 12).

Reservists agree to pay back the lesser of their city or military pay upon their return. Our administration has already extended the initial repayment term from 30 days to five years, taken steps to reduce the amounts that returning soldiers have to pay and assisted those who are unable to make repayments due to demonstrated financial hardship.

We recognize the program’s repayment obligation may pose challenges for individual reservists and support Rep. Martin J. Golden’s bill.

Martha K. Hirst

Commissioner Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Manhattan