ESGR can help honor civilian employers

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle
  • 512th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Some 512th Airlift Wing Airmen may want to thank their supportive civilian employers - the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve can help.

ESGR, a Department of Defense organization that gains and maintains employer support for military employees, has avenues for reservists to recognize outstanding employers, said Senior Master Sgt. Rachael Gonesh, 512th AW ESGR representative.

"There are many guardsmen and reservists with outstanding employers," said Sergeant Gonesh, "They are grateful there is a program they can utilize to recognize their employers without any cost from either party."

Servicemembers can nominate their employers for various awards when the employers practice leadership and personnel policies that support employee participation in the Reserve and National Guard, she said.

Employers appreciate the recognition, said Christine Kubik, Delaware ESGR executive director. In order for an employer to be considered for ESGR honors, the military member needs to submit a Patriot Award nomination. Every nominated employer will receive a Patriot Award and be eligible for consideration for other awards and recognition.

Other accolades include:

Above and Beyond Award - This award is given in limited numbers by state and territory ESGR committees. It recognizes employers who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty by their employees.

Pro Patria Award - This award is presented annually by all ESGR Committees to the one employer in their state or territory who has provided the most exceptional support of national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support military employees.

Freedom Award - The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their support of employees who serve in the Guard or Reserve. Nominations must come from a servicemember employed by the organization. The award was created to publicly recognize employers who provide exceptional support to their Reserve and National Guard employees. This is the highest ESGR award given by the Defense Department.

Reservists can nominate their employer for the Patriot Award using the form at http://esgr.org/forms.asp?p=patriot or by visiting the ESGR Web site at www.esgr.mil.

Nominations can also be taken over the phone by contacting the Delaware ESGR office at (302) 326-7582.

Liberty Wing reservists can contact Sergeant Gonesh at (302) 677-2550 or the Delaware ESGR office for more information or assistance.