FORT HOOD, TEXAS – Employers of South Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers had the only ticket in town to participate in and observe where their citizen-Soldier employees are training before deploying  for one year to support operations in Afghanistan.

The 24 employers participated in an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss lift May 19-20, taking them from Sioux Falls, S.D. to Fort Hood, Texas to meet with Soldiers from the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB).

 “The ESGR Boss lift transports employers from their workplace to military training sites where they observe the type and quality of training their employees receive,” said Capt. Lona Christensen, South Dakota ESGR executive director.
Employers began their day by boarding a KC-135 Stratotanker military aircraft.  On the way to Fort Hood, they experienced a refueling mission and had the opportunity to watch the KC-135 boom operator transfer gas in mid-air to a South Dakota Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon multi-role fighter aircraft.

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“I have just been in awe. I can’t believe civilians get to do this,” said Connie Tveidt, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor. “It’s just been amazing,” referring to the refueling mission.

Tveidt, who was able to meet with her service member, said she couldn’t wait to get home to spread the word about her military experience.

Tveidt and some of the other employers had the opportunity to assist in the 196th MEB urban operations training as Afghani civilians on the battlefield.  They dressed in traditional Arabic garb, representing local population, to enhance the realism of their Soldiers’ training.

Many of the employers said getting to see and participate in the training is better than hearing about it. 
Employers had the opportunity to observe a Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer, or HEAT, that teaches troops how to survive a rollover in top-heavy, up-armored vehicles. They also tested their shooting skills with the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000, a military weapon stimulator system.  This system displays an electronic combat scenario similar to video games.

Employers ate at the dining facility with their citizen-Soldiers, viewed their sleeping quarters and donned some of the equipment the Soldiers wear in combat.

“This is an excellent way to get the employers and the Guard on the same page to better understand each other,” said Tim Reiffenberger, who works at the Sioux Falls Veterans Affairs Hospital Laboratory.

The ESGR Boss lift is an excellent way to show the importance that is placed on every employer and the support they provide to the military said Christensen.

“We appreciate all the sacrifices the employers make,” said Christensen. “Employers are inextricably linked to our nation’s defense by sharing their most precious asset, their employee.”

Gary Black, owner of Ductz Indoor Air Professionals, Sioux Falls, said it is tough to lose one of his key employees like Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Voss, because he is one out of four employees in his workforce.

“Brandon is also my good friend, it’s like losing my right arm,” said Black.  “It’s going to be tough to replace somebody of that caliber, but we will work through it and his position will be waiting for him when he gets back.”
As part of the Boss lift, employers also signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve as a public proclamation of their support for their employees’ military service. 

“The boss lift is one of the best things we do at ESGR,” said Don Kelpin, South Dakota ESGR state chairman.  “It’s a win-win situation for the Guardsmen, their employers and ESGR.”

Kelpin added that the employers gain a greater appreciation for what the Citizen-Soldier does, and service members are reassured knowing their employers are supporting them.

The ESGR program has a logo stating “We all serve” said Kelpin.  “Whether it’s the service member, family member, employer, or even fellow employees who have to pick up the extra hours at work to fill in for the citizen-Soldier at war. In reality we all serve.”

The following employers participated in the South Dakota ESGR Boss lift May 19-20 to Fort Hood, Texas.
    Carl Moschell, SGT Inc/EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls
    Bryan Gortmaker, Div of Criminal Investigation, Pierre
    Craig Nichols, City of Rapid Mountain View Cemetery, Rapid City
    Pam Roberts, SD Department of Labor, Pierre
    Gordon Carlson, Continental Resources, Buffalo
    Gary Black, Ductz Indoor Air Professionals, Sioux Falls
    Connie Tveidt, Office of the Governor, Pierre
    Valerie Keller, City of Pierre, Solid Waste Dept., Pierre
    Bob Magie, Farmers Insurance Group, Sioux Falls
    James Gordon, Wells Fargo Financial, Sioux Falls
    Paul Hagenbuch, Paul’s Plumbing, Vermillion
    Paul Clark, Raven Ind., Sioux Falls
    Steve Baker, Department of Correction, Sioux Falls
    Marilyn Schultz, Sara Lee Baking Co., Sioux Falls
    Tim Reiffenberger, Sioux Falls VA Hospital Laboratory
    Chadd Herr, Sturdevants, Sioux Falls
    Pat Clark, Avera Queen of Peace, Mitchell
    Deb Pederson, Prairie Lakes Hospital, Watertown
    Jeff Flaten, City of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls
    Bart Roberts, Sioux Falls Tower, Sioux Falls
    Jeff Miller, City of Brookings Police Department, Brookings
    Debra Tinker, US Forest Service, Spearfish
    Tom Brown, Beal Distributing Inc., Sioux Falls
    Dan Conkling, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Yankton
 

Story by Staff Sgt. Theanne Tangen, Public Affairs Office