Whenever any officer or employee of this state in the state personnel system under the provisions of section 13 of article XII of the state constitution and laws and rules and regulations pursuant thereto enters active military service, including active service for training purposes, with the armed forces of the United States or other branch of service engaged in the national defense, such officer or employee shall retain all state personnel system rights and privileges and shall retain such status in the state personnel system as held by him at the time of entering the armed forces, with the seniority and promotional rights and benefits provided for in section 24-50-302.
C.R.S. § 24-50-301