When four paratroopers jump from a Chinook helicopter at 1.500 feet and land in the field behind an elementary school in West Kingston one my not think they are forming a bond between civilian employers and the military.

That bond, vital to the relationship and success of military personnel who choose to serve our nation is perhaps most evident when those employers marvel at their people who are off the civilian job and in uniform. Welcome to Leapfest.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) offered an exciting preview of the 29th annual International Parachuter Competition held on the grounds of the University of Rhode Island and the West Kingston Elementary School on August 3.  Many of the nearly 40 employers literally got a birds eye view of the jump while riding in the choppers.

49 U.S. teams were competing against 50 foreign jumpers from The Netherlands, Morocco, Germany, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Among the companies represented at the competition was Amgen and 27 of its managers who were urged to attend by former Vice President Kimball Hall and current Vice President Tony Pankau. Both were there last year and were impressed by the need to do things right the first time and lessen or eliminate mistakes that could cause serious and dangerous problems.

Amgen develops human therapeutics, medicines that have helped millions of patienets battle cancer, kidney disease and other serious illnesses.  Make mistakes and it could cost lives. Make mistakes at Leapfest and it could also cost lives.

 "This is excellent," exclaimed Debbie Stephenson, one of the Amgen managers attending the ESGR sponsored day. "It's the same kind of high reliability that we look for."

In coming to Leapfest "we see that being right the first time isn't a question, it's a must," according to Larry Bernard, Senior Manager for Corporate Communications and Philanthropy at Amgen.

" If we can incorporate some of the Leapfest concepts into our manufacturing operations we'll be doing it right."

Other "boss" invitees by the ESGR committee for the beginning of the Leapfest activities included members of the Coventry and East Greenwich police departments.

Brian LaFauci, ESGR Program Manager presented Coventry Police Chief Bryan Volpe with an award for his support and also recognized East Greenwich Police Chief Thomas Doyle who is supportive of his police officer serving in the military.

The mission of the ESGR is to gain and then maintain support from public and private employers of the men and women serving in the National Guard and armed forces reserves.  Invitations to events like Leapfest brings those employers to job sites where their employees are training to defend the country during the absence from their civilian jobs.