Opinion ID: 427733
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Summary Judgment: Does the ADEA apply to the military?

Text: 11 Summary judgment is appropriate where (1) there is no genuine issue of material fact, and (2) viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the opposing party, that party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). On appeal, this court applies the same standard as does the district court. Radobenko v. Automated Equipment Corp., 520 F.2d 540 (9th Cir.1975).
12 Whether the ADEA applies is the only issue that need be addressed under Helm's ADEA claim. It is a question of statutory interpretation that may properly be resolved by summary judgment. Mobil Oil Corp. v. Federal Energy Administration, 566 F.2d 87, 92 (Em.App.1977); Schlothan v. Territory of Alaska, 276 F.2d 806, 815 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 362 U.S. 990, 80 S.Ct. 1079, 4 L.Ed.2d 1022 (1960). 13
14 This court has recently held that Title VII, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000e-16(a) (Supp.1981), does not apply to members of the armed forces. Gonzalez v. Dept. of Army, 718 F.2d 926 (9th Cir.1983). See also Johnson v. Alexander, 572 F.2d 1219 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 986, 99 S.Ct. 579, 58 L.Ed.2d 658 (1978). Title VII uses language identical to that in the ADEA to bar discrimination against employees ... in military departments as defined in Sec. 102 of Title 5. 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000e-16(a). 15 Gonzalez is applicable here. This court has applied Title VII precedent to ADEA cases. See, e.g., Bunch v. United States, 548 F.2d 336, 340 n. 6 (9th Cir.1977). The ADEA does not apply to military reservists. 16