Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR)

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Announces 2024 Freedom Award Finalists https://lnkd.in/e_uqnUAi

It's always a great day when a major US employer steps up and honors its Veterans and employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. On Wednesday, January 15th, United Airlines did exactly that. United's Jonna McGrath, Vice President for their Denver Hub, and Robert Thomas, United's Managing Director, Flight Standards and the president of their United4Veterans business resource group (BRG), signed Statements of Support with Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR) on behalf of the airline at the Veterans Wall of Honor in concourse B at Denver International Airport. ESGR's National Chair, John Sampa, and Chief of Engagement Bruce Townshend, addressed the BRG prior to the signing ceremony. Special thanks to Troy Liput for emceeing the event for United, and to Colorado ESGR for doing the planning and coordination. The Statement of Support is the most visible symbol of an employer's dedication and commitment to their employees who serve in the Reserve Component and its pledge to uphold #USERRA, the federal law that protects the rights of Service members from discrimination. Thank you, United Airlines!

What a great way to start the new year! Yesterday in Marco Island, Florida, ESGR's chief of engagement, Bruce Townshend, addressed the board of directors of the National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) and then was on hand as the NRC and five other companies signed a Statement of Support with ESGR. Those five companies are members of the NRC Veterans Committee. Thanks to the wonderful coordination efforts of Michele Malski and Succession Planning for Railroads Investing in the Next Generation (SPRING) LLC for setting up this meeting and laying the groundwork for future partnership between ESGR and NRC. The other companies signing Statements of Support were Omaha Track, Inc., RailPros, Hamilton Construction Co., William Charles and, of course, SPRING. We also want to give a shout out to the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) FLORIDA Committee for the quick support and assistance from Kenneth Juede and Vanessa Juede. Here's to a great kickoff to 2025!

Happy New Year to all you members of the National Guard and the Reserves, time is almost up to nominate your employer for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for this year! The nomination window closes at midnight on December 31st. If you serve in the Guard or Reserve and your employer truly supports you and your family while you're away on any kind of military duty, nominate them! This award is the highest one given each year by the United States Department of Defense to employers. Only 15 worthy employers each receive the Freedom Award out of hundreds of nominations. Last year, we had 1759 nominations and Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR) is looking for even more this year. If you are an employer of these fine women and men who serve in the Guard or Reserve and you actively and proudly support them as they answer the call of their nation, encourage them to put in a nomination. There's still time! www.freedomaward.mil

It's companies like The MIL Corporation that demonstrate the commitment of corporate America in supporting the nation's Guard and Reserve members. We are proud to work with them around the country as they pledge to continue supporting their team members who serve. The Guard and Reserve make up a huge portion of the total force of the United States military, and without the commitment of these companies and employers, our Service members in the National Guard and the Reserves of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard could not effectively perform their military duties. Bravo to The MIL Corporation!

ESGR Executive Director, Capt.Darren Bess, addresses nearly 20 Lt Governors from across the country at the Pentagon today of the importance ESGR has on the states. The event was a part of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) for the 2024 New Elect & Business Meeting in Washington, DC. The goal of this visit was to raise awareness of DoD programs and policies that impact and benefits states.

Join us in giving a well-deserved round of applause to the 6th Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, SEA Tony L. Whitehead, as he departs his final day at the Pentagon after serving four years in this position and over 42 years in uniform. 👏

Yesterday, as part of a day-long celebration of Veterans Day, Melton Truck Lines signed a Statement of Support with ESGR and was presented an ESGR Above and Beyond Award for their superior support of their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve by Oklahoma ESGR. Melton is headquartered in Tulsa, and operates a fleet of over 1300 big rigs transporting and delivering their loads all over the United States. Melton COO Russ Elliott accepted the award and signed the Statement of Support on behalf of the company. The ceremony was the culmination of hard work and coordination by Melton's David Harper and ESGR's own Bruce Townshend. The Statement of Support is the cornerstone of the successful relationship between employers and the members of their workforce who serve in the Reserve Component.

Massachusetts’ ESGR volunteers, Jennifer Carlson, John Pelose with Vanessa Rutledge, manned the ESGR booth at this years’ International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) annual conference held in Boston last week. ESGR’s outreach efforts are a vital link to employers, especially First Responders, who make a large portion of the National Guard and Reserves where topics such as understanding USERRA rights and responsibilities are important to understand for service members and their civilian employers. #ESGR #IACP #USArmyReserves #usairforcereserves #USERRA #ESGRMassachusetts

ESGR Names New State Chairs https://lnkd.in/gbMcvzwu