Employer awards recognize outstanding support for Reserve members Published Nov. 19, 2010 By Staff Reports 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Citizen Airmen who support and defend the Constitution by wearing an Air Force uniform can only successfully balance their family, civilian employment and Reserve commitment with the support of their civilian employer. Sometimes, those employers may go above and beyond to support their military employee. Air Force Reservists who want to thank their employer for this support can recognize them by nominating that employer for one of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve employer recognition awards. Known commonly as "ESGR," the focus of the organization is to promote an understanding of both the National Guard and Reserve as well as encourage support of employers in development of human resource policies and practices that support an employee's participation in the military. ESGR also works to inform and educate employers on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act as well as help foster the willingness of employers to support their employees called to military service for long periods of time and greater frequency. "Much has been discussed in the last few years about just how critical a role Guardsmen and Reservists play in national defense," said Patrick O'Flaherty, executive director for the Colorado ESGR. "However, what doesn't get as much attention is the role employers play in how they support their employee's military service commitments. These awards are absolutely essential for recognizing employers because, in some cases, they don't necessarily get the recognition they deserve when it comes to the support they provide." The Patriot Award is the first step in saying "thank you." This award recognizes an employer for his or her support of National Guard and Reserve members. Nominees of the Patriot Award receive a Department of Defense Certificate of Appreciation and a "Patriot" lapel pin. All members of the National Guard and Reserve are eligible to nominate their employers and can nominate them online at www.esgr.org/newforms.asp?p=patriot. The next award level is the "Above and Beyond" Award, which is given in limited numbers by state and territory ESGR offices. This award recognizes employers who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for military duty by their employees. Submissions can be made by individual Guard and Reserve members and go through their local ESGR contact, listed on the national ESGR local contacts page at http://www.esgr.org/site/Contact/StateLocalContacts.aspx. The "Pro Patria Award" is the next level of recognition a Guardsmen or Reservist can give an employer. This award is presented annually by each state or territory ESGR organization to one employer who has provided the most exceptional support to national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support their Guard or Reserve. The Pro Patria award is also the highest level of recognition given by Colorado ESGR. Lastly, the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their support. Nominations must come from a Guard or Reserve member who is employed by the organization they are nominating, or from a family member of the Reservists or Guardsman. The Freedom Award was created to publicly recognize employers who provide exceptional support to a Guardsman or Reservist and is presented by the Secretary of Defense annually to the nation's 15 most supportive employers. The nomination season opens the first working day of November and closes the third Monday of January. More information on the Freedom Award can be found at www.freedomaward.mil. Mr. O'Flaherty pointed out the best way for a Guardsman or Reservist to nominate their employer for any ESGR award was to submit them via the Freedom Award website. "We take all nominates submitted and vet them via an awards committee," Mr. O'Flaherty said. "Those employers who come out on top in the committee are then forwarded to the national level. However, all other submissions are then determined for Colorado's Above and Beyond and Pro Patria awards." Companies in Colorado that have been recognized with the Freedom Award include the Denver-based Newmont Mining, First Data Corporation from Greenwood Village, the Coors Brewing Company in Golden and the Fred Fletemeyer Company of Colorado Springs. "Most employers are appreciative of a servicemember's service," Mr. O'Flaherty said. "The reaction we get from employers who receive an award is almost always simple modesty. Employers know maintaining both a military and civilian career in some of the most stressful environments in the world is difficult, to say the least, thus they have been generally modest, although they have been very appreciative of the recognition." Members interested in more information on these awards can contact the Colorado Committee ESGR via their website www.esgr.org. Awards can be found on the "Programs" tab. For contact information on the organization, visit www.302aw.afrc.af.mil and click on "Contact Us." Select the drop down menu for the Colorado ESGR. Stay with www.302aw.afrc.af.mil for the latest news and information. Have something to say about this story? Click "Add a comment" below to express your opinion!