Reserve employers eligible for ESGR awards, recognition

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jennie Chamberlin
  • 512th Airlift Wing
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Reserve and Guard members may nominate their employers for awards and recognition by the Employer Support of Guard and Reserve Jan. 9 to Feb. 28.

The ESGR is a Department of Defense organization which promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers.

“If employers go above and beyond to support their military members, it’s important to recognize that because it keeps employers motivated and engaged,” said Lt. Col. Joy Mann, 512th Airlift Wing performance planner and the state ombudsman coordinator for the Delaware ESGR. “They’ll continue to think of employing military members as a viable option for their companies.”

To make a recommendation, employees must answer 10 questions about the support they receive from their employer. The questions cover issues such as pay policies, benefits and leave policies, family support and general military support, said Tom Bullock, ESGR spokesperson.

Nomination forms are available on the ESGR website at www.esgr.org, or by calling (800) 336-4590. Forms can be submitted electronically or mailed. Employers are automatically nominated for several different awards through one nomination form, and members may present the award themselves or request to have an ESGR representative present the award to their employer. (Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service, contributed to this story)

Types of ESGR Awards, Recognition
The National Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve sponsors an awards program designed to recognize employers for employment policies and practices that are supportive of their National Guard and Reserve employees. Depending on the degree of support, the level of recognition rises to the “Employer Support Freedom Award,” given by the Secretary of Defense. Employer awards include:

Patriot Award
ESGR awards this certificate and a Patriot lapel pin on behalf of the Department of Defense. All members of the National Guard and Reserve forces are eligible to nominate their employers for the “Patriot Award” certificate. A certificate will be given to all employers who are nominated. This nomination is subsequently used by the local ESGR Committee as the basis for consideration to receive higher level awards.

Local ESGR Committee Chair’s Award
This award is given in limited numbers and presented annually by each ESGR Committee. It’s designed to recognize employers who have exceeded the legal requirements for granting leave for military duty.

PRO PATRIA Award
It’s presented to employers who demonstrate exceptional support for national defense by adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate in the National Guard and Reserve. Each committee awards only one PRO PATRIA to an employer annually.

Employer Support Freedom Awards
These awards, ESGR’s most prestigious, are presented annually to an employer by the Secretary of Defense. It recognizes unique support to National Guard and Reserve employees.