Billings, Mont.-Ryan Mohr Project Engineer and Area Lead for Power Engineers, Inc. in Billings, was recognized by the Department of Defense with an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award. The award was presented by Montana ESGR volunteer Brynn Schwarz in recognition of Mohr's extraordinary support of his civilian employee Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Willett serving in the Montana Army National Guard Montana Medical Detachment.

The Patriot Award was developed by ESGR, an office of the Department of Defense, to publicly recognize civilian employers who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their civilian employees serving in the Guard or Reserve. Employer support is key to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve.

Willett’s nomination reads, “ Ryan has been nothing but supportive of my leave time. He trusts me to make my own schedule and not let it conflict with business. They compensate 10 days (80 hours) a year at full pay to offset lost time/money to go to drill.” At the award presentation he added, “A big thank you to Power Engineers Inc and Ryan!”

After the presentation Mohr commented, “Jeff has done an exceptional job of supporting his coworkers within the office as well as maintaining his service to our country.” Willett holds the position of a Drafter II at Power Engineers Inc.

Congratulations Ryan Mohr for being a supportive civilian employer of our Montana service member. You provide a valuable service to our country by hiring our Montana Guard and Reserve.

ESGR is celebrating 50 years of working to foster a culture in which all employer support and value the employment and military service of members of the United States National Guard and Reserve. For more information about ESGR outreach programs visit www.ESGR.mil

Mohr also signed a Statement of Support certificate. The Statement of Support program is the cornerstone of ESGR’s effort to gain and maintain employer support for the Guard and Reserve. The intent of the program is to increase employer support by encouraging employers to act as advocates for employee participation in the military. The employer is invited to sign the certificate and then display it in the workplace.

Photo: Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Willett, far left, serving in the Montana Army National Guard Montana Medical Detachment nominated his civilian boss, Ryan Mohr with Power Engineers Inc. in Billings Montana for a Department of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award. The award presented by Montana ESGR volunteer Brynn Schwarz. recognizes the strong support a civilian employer provides for members of the United States Guard or Reserve.