Coronado Island, California- The California Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) recently worked along side the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) during a panel discussion for the Annual MOAA National Conference held in the beautiful city of Coronado Island.
Our Nation's Guard and Reservists, their families and employers are facing unique challenges brought about by multiple and extended periods of military service. ESGR and MOAA worked together to hold a military professional symposium "Helping the Home Team: Guard and Reserve Warriors, Families and Employers". The main point of the session was to identify some of the key civilian employment challenges facing today's National Guard, Reservists and their employers. ESGR and MOAA invited key speakers and panelists from the military, the public sector and industry leader-both large and small to list challenges and identify proposed solutions to resolve both short and long-term conditions that stand in the way of "win-win" situation for our citizen/warriors and their employers.
The California ESGR State Chair, Mr. Andrew Wiktorowicz, expertly moderated the panel of notable dignitaries during this important discussion. The panel included The Honorable David L. McGinnis, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, The Honorable Jerry Sanders, Mayor of San Diego, Brigadier General Daniel Nelan, ARNG, Assistant Adjutant General (Army), California National Guard, Brigadier General Gary M. Profit, USAR (Retired), Senior Director, Military Recruiting, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Mr. Eric Basu, President and CEO, Sentek Global, Inc. The outcome of this lively discussion will hopefully convert the ideas that came from this symposium into concrete policy and legislative initiatives that will improve the quality of life and service for our citizen soldiers.
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve has proudly served our nation's Guard and Reservists and their employers since the inception of the all-volunteer military. "Almost half of our military force resides in the Reserve Component, which is comprised of the seven elements of the National Guard and Reserve. The men and women who serve in the Reserve Component are unique in that they also have civilian employers. Support of America's employers and the employees they share with the nations ensures the viability of the all-volunteer force, and thus our national security. We applaud employers who practice personnel policies that support employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve", stated Andrew Wiktorowicz, ESGR's California State Chair.
As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions within America's borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the number one resource for employers of our nation's citizen warriors. ESGR provides free education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.
More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling the Los Alamitos office at 562-936-1746, the San Diego office at 859-414-8727 or Sacramento office at 916-854-3746. www.esgr.mil