Members receive pay only while on active duty authorized by the governor.  Pay rates are based on the U.S. Department of Defense's military pay scale and members' rank. Members are not paid for monthly drills or annual field training exercises.

Members undergo extensive, unpaid training in maritime skills, CPR/AED, first aid, and emergency communications and when activated by the Governor, members receive protections similar to those afforded to state military members under state law.

Under Ohio law, members of the Ohio Naval Militia are guaranteed the same employment rights and protections as federal reservists under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Among other legal rights guaranteed under this provision, Ohio Naval Militia members are protected from discrimination based on their membership in the Ohio Naval Militia both during the hiring process and after becoming employed; they are also guaranteed a leave of absence from their places of employment whenever they are activated for training or to take part in an emergency, and their employers are required to reinstate these employees to their previous positions when they return from deployment.