A while back I inquired with DOL. The rep explained that if you are on active duty and get a job while on active duty (with commanders approval) then you aren't protected. The airline union military affairs rep told me the same.
Agree to most of your post. But having the choice as to opt out of any deployment/tasking/mission kinda defeats the purpose of a chain of command.
That being said deployment taskings need a better vetting process on whats required.