TAUNTON, Mass. -- A military reservist claims that his career in the military has cost him his job at a local hospital.

Peter Anderson, a clinical pharmacist, said he was fired Monday from Taunton State Hospital because of the time he needed away from his job to train in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Anderson is a captain who is assigned to a unit in Maryland that trains for biochemical attacks.

"I've had to take off 30 to 40 days per year for training," he said.

Anderson said his employer, Comprehensive Pharmacy Services of Memphis, Tenn., first tried to make him give up his vacation time and then started finding fault with his work.

"My work kept piling up, so they kept asking me to catch up on my work while I was gone and do all the work that was left when I was away at military training."

Under federal law, it is illegal for an employer to fire a worker because of a military service obligation.

The company declined comment on Anderson's termination. Anderson said his supervisor said it was not his military service, but his job performance that was at issue.

"I am not perfect. I have made a few mistakes here and there," Anderson said.

Anderson, who has received citations from the Army and recommendations for promotion, said he is considering legal action.