Every employee holding a position in the classified service of the state, on or after August 8, 1940, who has left or shall leave that position by reason of entering the armed forces of the United States (whether through membership in the reserve of the United States military, air, or naval forces or in the Rhode Island national guard or naval reserve, or by reason of enlistment, induction, commission, or otherwise) and who has held a position in the classified service for less than one hundred eighty (180) days, but who has also held a position in the unclassified service, so that the cumulative service, both classified and unclassified, aggregates one hundred eighty (180) or more calendar days within the twelve (12) months next preceding entrance into the armed forces, is entitled to and is hereby granted the same rights of leave, payment of salary, accrual of sick leave and annual leave, and of return to his or her position under the same conditions as an employee whose entire one hundred eighty (180) days or more are or were in the classified service.