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Guard, Reserve employers recognized for superior support

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Paula Macomber
  • 152AW/PA
RENO --  The Nevada National Guard and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve organization recognized more than 40 private and public sector organizations during the annual ESGR Recognition Day and Award Ceremony at the Nevada Air Guard base in Reno on May 15. The event provided an opportunity for the National Guard to display its appreciation for the employers' generous support of their reserve component military service.

The event was hosted by the Nevada ESGR committee and Guard officials and gave employers an opportunity to experience their traditional Guardsmen's working environment and see their equipment.

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense national committee that promotes cooperation and understanding between reserve component service members and their civilian employers.

One company, NV Energy, received the Extraordinary Employer Support Award. The award recognizes sustained employer support of the Guard and reserve. NV Energy is the first Nevada-based company to receive the award.

Two companies, Arcata Associated and JT3, received ESGR's Pro Patria award this year. The Pro Patria award is presented annually by the ESGR State Committee to the organizations that have demonstrated the greatest support to the Guard and reserves through their leadership and practices.

Twenty five organizations received the Above and Beyond Award this year. The award recognizes employers at the local level who have gone above and beyond the minimum requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights laws.

Eighteen organizations were awarded the Seven Seals Award in 2012-2013. The award is the broadest and most inclusive given by ESGR and recognizes organizations and entities that have promoted and supported the ESGR mission.

Recognition Day began with representatives from the supportive organizations receiving a base tour and welcome speech from the wing commander, Col. Jeffrey Burkett, and Nevada ESGR chairman, retired Col. Dave Cantrell. Participants then moved on to view static displays of Air and Army National Guard equipment. The displays included an Air National Guard C-130, an Army National Guard Humvee, and two Army National Guard helicopters.

Attendees then toured the Air National Guard firehouse and learned about the station's response capability and firefighting/rescue equipment. The employers also learned about the Security Forces' equipment and handled and viewed a multitude of the squadron's weapons and gear.

After the tour, the employers enjoyed a lunch and award ceremony at the air base's dining facility and listened to a speech from Nevada adjutant general Brig. Gen. Bill Burks.

According to ESGR officials, many civilian employers had demonstrated their support of their reserve-component service members this year by paying the difference between a deployed service member's military and usual civilian pay. Other employers sent numerous care packages to their Guard and reserve employees while they were deployed.

Any Guard Soldier or Airman can nominate their civilian employer for an ESGR award. After receiving an initial Patriot Award from ESGR, organizations can receive subsequent awards from the Nevada ESGR committee, including the prestigious Pro Patria and Above and Beyond awards, based on the respective organization's degree of support.

For information on ESGR, visit www.esgr.mil.