(Los Alamitos, CA) The Southern California Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, recently participated in the 7th Annual Wings, Wheels, Rotors and Expo at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos.  This exciting event showcases aircraft, antique cars, helicopters and local businesses.  It is a cooperative effort put on by the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce and the Joint Forces Training Base. Each year this event attracts an increasing number of visitors and the attendance for this year’s air show was estimated to be more than 30,000 visitors.

Under the sunny Southern California skies, there was a steady stream of inquisitive visitors to the ESGR informational booth, which was located in the shadow of an enormous C-17 transport jet out of March Air Reserve Base.  The ESGR volunteers and staff had the pleasure of speaking with many of the civilian show goers and base personnel who serve our country in the Guard and Reserve about our mission “To gain and maintain support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the Guard and Reserve.”  One of the highlights of the day featured the Army’s elite Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team taking to the skies.  We were honored to have the Knights jump with a 3’ by 5’ ESGR flag attached to one of the teams’ parachute risers, for all to see.  This was the first time in the Golden Knights’ 44 year history to fly the ESGR banner. Upon their dramatic return to the tarmac, the paratroopers posed for pictures with our volunteers at the ESGR booth and autographed the very flag that they jumped with.

It is normal to sometimes wonder if our organization’s efforts are truly making a difference in the lives of Guard and Reservists.  For two of our volunteers that doubt was immediately erased when they took a break to tour the nearby C-17.  Upon entering the tight confines of the cockpit, the captain of the craft, upon seeing the ESGR logo on their shirts, pronounced his appreciation for the efforts of the ESGR.  He went on to state that he was personally the benefactor of a successful ombudsman mediation involving a serious civilian employer issue.  Not only was the issue resolved to the guardsmen’s satisfaction, but his employer is now a proud supporter of the companies’ numerous employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

“Almost half of our military force resides in the Reserve Component, which is comprised 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 the 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,” said Major General (Retired) Peter Gravett, ESGR Southern California Chair.

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions with America’s borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR provides 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 Southern California Committee of the ESGR at 562-936-1746.