ESGR commemorates 40 years supporting Guardsmen, Reservists, employers

Gov. Scott Walker issued a proclamation Friday (June 22) acknowledging the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's (ESGR) 40th Anniversary.

"The men and women of the Guard and Reserve are truly 'citizen warriors' in many Wisconsin communities who work, have families, and attend classes," the proclamation stated, "while also making a substantial commitment to spend some of their time in military training so they are always ready to respond at home or abroad to any security or emergency situation."

According to Tim Flatley, executive director for the Wisconsin ESGR, "the most significant change occurred in 2010 when the ESGR added an employment initiative to our mission. You are no longer just talking to employers of Guardsmen and Reservists - you are talking to any employer. Our outreach is 10 times broader in the past because everyone is a potential customer.

"Our fourth mission is family support," Flatley continued. "In a way we have always been involved in that, but now it has a description. A good example of this is we look at employing the service members' spouse as important as employing the service member, because at the end of the day it is about employing a household."

ESGR commemorated its 40th anniversary with a ceremony on Friday, June 22 in the Pentagon's Airmen's Hall.

In 1972, anticipating the end of both the Vietnam War and the draft, the Department of Defense established ESGR to foster a culture of respect, cooperation and understanding between Guardsmen, Reservists and their employers. Today, the agency's work is more important than ever as employers share their military employees with our country during its longest period of continuous combat operations and a series of historic natural disasters. The United States could not meet its national security demands without its Guard and Reserve members, who in turn rely on the support of their employers.

ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.