Well, my employer has basically pointed out that the weekend time off would be breaking my contract of employment as all members of staff are required to work Saturdays apart from when annual holidays are used.
The other issue is that the company is a small family firm and if I were to take extended time out, he would need to employ 2 extra staff to cover myself and any other absences which he could not afford to do in the present climate. (We're unable to double up on holidays due to staff levels)
It's a sticky one, and to be honest, I'd rather look for another job first now that I know the attitude of my current boss.
My family is fine with it, after all my wife is from a family who have serving military, and we both have friends who are regularly deployed – her brother has not long been back from a second deployment to Afghanistan.
For me, the RAF taught me to fly and and how to navigate in the air (whilst as an Air Cadet) and I would love to give something back in return.
I guess if I can't go down the Reserves route, then a visit to my local ATC squadron and enquiry about being an adult instructor may suit me better..