Reserve employer recognized for outstanding support

  • Published
  • By Capt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Since 9-11, Air Force reservist Master Sgt. John Witzke has been activated twice.

The 512th Airlift Wing sergeant, a C-5 flight engineer with the 709th Airlift Squadron and a paramedic in civilian life, isn't the only one making sacrifices to serve his country--his employer, Kent County Levy Court, is too.

"For a small division of about 40 personnel, my absence has a profound impact on overtime and the overall operations of the division," said Witzke, who responds to medical emergencies and provides critical life-saving actions. "A paramedic takes approximately two years to become fully trained, so it's not like you can go find one on the street corner. My employers unwavering support and dedication to the Dover Air Force Base military community was evident during my first activation. They kept in contact when I was out on the road, and I made it a point to keep in touch when possible as well."

His employer's support didn't stop with his first activation; and, they were equally supportive of his fellow reservists and guardsmen who also worked at the agency charged with overseeing the daily operations of Kent County government and public safety.

To thank his employer, Witzke and some of his fellow Reserve and Guard servicemembers nominated Kent County Levy Court for an Employer Support of the Reserve and Guard award.

ESGR is a Department of Defense organization that promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. They also recognize outstanding employer support, and Kent County Levy Court exceeded their criteria.

The government agency was one of 30 finalists to contend for the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The Freedom Award is the DoD's highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. The 30 finalists were selected from 4,049 nominations received earlier this year.

Employers named as finalists for the Freedom Award stand out for the formal and informal initiatives they put in place for Guard and Reserve employees and their families. Finalists' supportive measures include accommodating Guard and Reserve members' military responsibilities, making up the difference in military and civilian pay during deployments, continuation of benefits, sending care packages and providing personal support to the families of employees called away from home.

"Our nation's employers have provided a high level of ongoing support for their military employees and their families even in the tough economic climate of recent years, ESGR National Chair James G. Rebholz said. These 30 finalists have gone to extraordinary lengths to create a supportive culture within their workplaces allowing our citizen warriors to serve with the confidence that they are most appreciated and that their families are being cared for at home,".

Although Witzke's employer wasn't one of the 15 Freedom Award recipients, to be one of the 30 finalists is a huge achievement and honor, said Christine Kubik, Delaware ESGR committee.

For Witzke, recognizing his employer is vital to military service, he said. He added his employer was pleasantly surprised about the recognition.

"Kent County wholeheartedly supports the military and our employees serving in the Guard and Reserve," said Levy Court President P. Brooks Banta. "It was indeed an honor to be considered for this national award in recognition of that commitment. The County is very proud of its employees serving our nation and defending our freedom."

"The days of the "weekend warrior" went by the wayside after the first Gulf War, and we have increasingly become more and more like our active-duty brethren," said Witzke, a wing member since 1982. "The demands of a civilian career while maintaining a high state of readiness is not easy, so their support needs to be recognized even more so now than in the past."

The process to nominate his employer was simple, he added. He logged onto the ESGR website and followed the instructions.

ESGR has several awards reservists can nominate employers for, which include the Patriot Award Certificate of Appreciation, Above and Beyond Award and Pro Patria Award. To learn more or to nominate a supportive employer, visit http://www.esgr.org/site/Programs.aspx/