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FORT BLISS, Texas -- Some local business owners and managers who participated in the weekend "Boss Lift" program for the 32nd Infantry Brigade returned home on Sunday.

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Boss Lift is a program designed to give employers a look at the type of work their employees would be doing while on active duty in Iraq. The 32nd Infantry Brigade has been training in Fort Bliss, Texas, since mid-February, WISC-TV reported.

Greg Koepel of Roehl Transport in Marshfield said the training was an unforgettable experience.

"We thought it would be great to come down and be a part of sending them off before their deployment," said Koepel. "I'm anxious to see a couple of our employees, Mike Gunka and Adam Binder."

The Boss Lift trip was organized by the employer support of the U.S. Army National Guard and Reserve. It aimed to educate businesses on what daily life is like for their employees. They'll also get a first-hand look at the kind of new leadership skills the soldiers might be bringing home with them, WISC-TV reported.

"So much of what they do as soldiers when they come back into their jobs is immediately transferrable," said Koepel. "And it's something, as employers, we can take advantage of right away."

For some, seeing their employees and offering them them their support is what the trip was all about.

Bill Mansfield, of On Track Communications, said that he came to see Master Sgt. Andy Phelps.

"We're very small company," said Mansfield. "We only have seven employees so for us as a small business to have one of our guys gone for an entire year is a little tough on us, but at the same time that's the least that we can do."

Mansfield said he had to hire someone to fill Phelps' shoes temporarily, but said he also plans to keep his job open until he returns. He also committed to keeping the new employee as well.

Phelps said he was honored his employer made the trip.

"Not halfway across the country," he said. "Bill is taking time out and where ESGR could provide logistics and transportation, to be able to show what we do here – the other half of my life."

Before returning to Wisconsin, employers signed a statement of support for the Guard and Reserve at Fort Bliss, pledging to stand behind their military employees, abide by federal employment laws for service members and to educate their companies on how to deal with deployment issues that arise.

"In one shape or form, it's going to have an impact on the civilian workplace and we understand that," said Mike Smith, executive director of Wisconsin ESGR. "It's a sacrifice being made by employers and the majority of them, difficult or not, are making that sacrifice willingly, they're abiding by the law."

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.