BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif –
For Citizen Airmen, successfully balancing their family, civilian employment and Reserve commitment can only be accomplished with the support of their civilian employer. Sometimes, those employers go above and beyond to support their military employee.
Air Force Reservists or their spouses who want to thank their employer for this support can nominate that employer for one of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognition awards. Nominations for the 2011 ESGR Employer Awards are being accepted until Jan. 17.
The focus of the ESGR organization is to promote an understanding of both the National Guard and Reserve, as well as encourage support of employers in development of human resource policies and practices that support an employee's participation in the military. ESGR works to inform and educate employers on the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act and to help foster the willingness of employers to support employees called to military service.
"During the last 10 years, Guardsmen and Reservists and their employers have played an exceptionally critical role in our national defense," said Robert Anderson, Vice Chair for Northern California ESGR. "Employers of Citizen Airmen need to be recognized for supporting their employee's military service commitments. The awards are one way to thank these deserving employers for their support."
The
Patriot Award recognizes an employer for his or her support of National Guard and Reserve members. Nominees receive a Department of Defense Certificate of Appreciation and a Patriot lapel pin. Any member of the National Guard or Reserve or a spouse can nominate an employer for this award.
The
Above and Beyond Award, given in limited numbers by state and territory ESGR offices, recognizes employers who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty by an employee. Submissions can be made by individual Guard and Reserve members through a local
ESGR contact.
The
Pro Patria Award is presented annually by each state or territory ESGR organization to one employer who has provided the most exceptional support to national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support their Guard or Reserve.
The Secretary of Defense Employer Support
Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their support. The Freedom Award was created to publicly recognize employers who provide exceptional support to a Guardsman or Reservist. It is presented by the Secretary of Defense annually to the nation's 15 most supportive employers. More information on the Freedom Award can be found at
www.freedomaward.mil .
"Most employers are appreciative of a service member's sacrifices. They realize that maintaining both a military and civilian career is difficult," Anderson said. "These awards are a way Reservists or spouses can express their gratitude to an employer for being supportive of their service commitment."
Members and employers interested in more information on the ESGR awards can visit
www.esgr.org under the "Programs" tab.