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ESGR rep helping reservists

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Skinkle
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Senior Master Sgt. Mark Howell, 419th Maintenance Squadron avionics flight chief and the 419th Fighter Wing's new Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve representative, is looking out for wing reservists by briefing members, attending conferences and handing out ESGR information cards.

"I'm starting off by educating our first sergeants and chiefs about ESGR so the information can trickle down to our Airmen," Howell said.

Chief Master Sgt. Cindy George, the wing's command chief, says balancing the Reserve triad of civilian work, family life, and the military can be stressful, but Howell can help with the balancing act.

Maintaining a line of communication with an ESGR representative can help resolve difficulties with civilian employers quickly, she said.

The ESGR promotes employer support on a national level by offering employer programs, briefings, and job fairs. At the unit level, having wing representatives helps educate Airmen and boosts relationships between civilian employers and their reservist employees.

Sometimes reservists can take their employers' cooperation for granted, Howell added.

"My goal as an ESGR rep is not just to educate employers about their reservists' military commitments, but to also remind them about their employer's sacrifices," he said.

Howell plans to focus on helping traditional reservists' interactions with their employers, he said. If necessary, the ESGR can mediate a conflict, but Howell said he hopes to help resolve 99 percent of employer related challenges for personnel problems within the wing.

Additionally, he also aims to help with annual wing events like Employer Appreciation Day, Howell said. The event typically features a mission briefing, work area tours, displays and lunch for reservists and employers. Events like EAD recognize employers who've shown understanding and flexibility toward their reservist employees. In turn, employers gain a better understanding of their employees' military operations, he said.

"I brought my previous employers out to the base more than a decade ago and it's still an experience they talk about, so a little appreciation can go a long way with civilian employers," Howell said.

For more information on ESGR, visit www.esgr.mil or contact Howell at 801-777-1018 or his alternate, Senior Master Sgt. Jason Thorpe, at 801-586-8210.

The ESGR is accepting nominations until Jan. 21 for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their support. Nominating an employer for this prestigious award is one of many ways to thank an employer for support. Another ESGR, the Patriot and Spouse Patriot awards, may be submitted throughout the year. Members should consider sharing the information with their employers as well.