Organization Recognizes Employer Support of Guard and Reserve Members

Organization Recognizes Employer Support of Guard and Reserve Members

Every year Service Members from the National Guard and Reserve nominate their civilian employers for recognition from Vermont Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for going above and beyond the legal requirements in supporting them while on military duty. On June 1st Vermont ESGR will hold its annual Awards Banquet at the Capitol Plaza in Montpelier and recognize top employers throughout the state for their support of their employees in the National Guard and Reserve.

Reservists and National Guardsmen play an increasingly large role in the nation's defense. The Global War on Terrorism required the largest deployment of Citizen Soldiers since World War II. Currently, almost half of the nation's military strength comes from the National Guard and Reserve. Guardsmen have additional responsibilities to the state and community. As a result, employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists share these responsibilities and face significant challenges in supporting their employees in the military.

 "National Guard and Reserve members are being relied upon like never before. In the same spirit of service, employers and ESGR volunteers have answered the call to support our nation's Service Members," says Skip Poczobut, Chair of the Vermont Committee for ESGR. "It is important that these employers be recognized for the exceptional support they provide to the Service Members, their families and the nation."

 The Department of Defense established ESGR in 1972 to inform and educate employers and Reserve Component members regarding their rights and responsibilities under federal law. ESGR continually strives to develop and promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the volunteer military service of their employees.

Formally recognizing employers for their service is essential and Vermont ESGR will present several levels of employer awards to acknowledge the employer's contributions to the nation's defense. This year, Vermont ESGR will present the Above and Beyond Award to a number of employers throughout Vermont. The highest level employer award Vermont ESGR can offer, the Pro Patria Award, will also be presented.  One will be bestowed to an organization in the public sector and the other, to a business in the private sector.

The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the ESGR National Committee's highest level award. The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 by the National Committee for ESGR to recognize exceptional support from the employer community. Only 15 Freedom Awards are presented annually. Two Vermont organizations, the Vermont State Police, and Control Technologies, Inc. of Williston, will be recognized by Vermont ESGR as semi-finalists, and are currently awaiting notification of their possible selection as Freedom Award recipients.

Source: ermont Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve.    Contact: Linda Fowler, (802) 485-1861.  linda.fowler@us.army.mil