The "Pro Patria Award" is presented annually by each ESGR Committee to the one employer in their state or territory who has provided the most exceptional support of our national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Help Your Employer Get Credits For Supporting Your Service

The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard conducts an awards program designed to recognize employers who support a strong National Guard and Reserve force. Employers qualify for recognition when they practice leadership and personnel policies that support employee participation in the Guard and Reserve.

Every employer nominated for recognition will receive the Patriot Award, and will then be eligible for consideration for other awards and recognition based on their level of support described in the nomination narrative.

Here are some examples of what America's most supportive employers do. Consider these examples in writing the narrative of your nomination form, citing as many ways as may apply, and include other ways your employer supports your service.

Demonstrates support for service in the National Guard and Reserve

• Maintains contact with Guard & Reserve employees while they are on annual training or mobilized.
• Participates in ESGR programs (Statement of Support signings, Employer Briefings, Bosslifts, and others).

Publicly acknowledges the contributions of Reserve component employees to our Nation’s defense

• Sponsors a company Guard & Reserve recognition day.
• Features Guardsmen and Reservists on Company bulletin boards, in newsletters or at meetings.

Supports Guard & Reserve employees beyond USERRA la requirements

• Has a published leave policy.
• Has a published military mobilization policy.
• Provides pay differential during periods of military training.
• Provides pay differential during mobilizations.
• Provides paid military leave.
• Provides continuation of insurance and monetary benefits during mobilizations.

Supports Guard & Reserve employee families during mobilizations

• Assigns a company sponsor to families of Guard & Reserve employees that have been deployed.
• Holds informational meeting and offers other means of communication for family members of Guard & Reserve employees who have been deployed.

If your local ESGR Committee has agreed to personally present all Patriot Awards in the State or Territory, the award for your employer will be sent to the committee awards coordinator, who will contact your employer to arrange the presentation. If your local committee is unable to personally make the presentation, the award will be sent directly to you, or to your unit. The award will include an information sheet with suggestions on how to best present the award. If you choose to have the award sent to your unit or home address, ESGR strongly encourages you to contact your local ESGR Committee or local ESGR Unit Liaison person to assist in making the award presentation to your employer a special event.

You can find you local ESGR points of contact by visiting the local contacts page. Due to the heavy volume of requests, please allow 30-45 days to receive your award.