HORSHAM, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program, announced that CAM SUPERLINE is a state finalist for the Secretary of Defense Freedom Award. The finalists for this prestigious award include small, large private and public sector employers, nominated by a National Guard or Reserve employee in their organization. Award nominations are accepted from all 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and District of Columbia.
The Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the Department of Defense to employers for their exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve members. On behalf of the Secretary of Defense, ESGR runs the annual award program, which has presented the honor to employers since 1996.
The Department of Defense will announce the 15 employers selected to receive the 2023 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award by mid-June. The recipients will be honored in a ceremony at the Pentagon in August.
Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to forward CAM SUPERLINE’s nomination for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces during ESGR’s 50th Anniversary year. CAM SUPERLINE’s nomination was selected from the 17 service member submissions in the small business category.
Pennsylvania Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Cory Nelson nominated the CAM SUPERLINE for the Freedom Award for their outstanding support of his military career. In his nomination, Nelson stated in part: “CAM SUPERLINE provides outstanding support to their employees in the Guard and Reserve. The support is driven from the very top, with their General Manager taking the lead and ensuring it goes through the entire chain of supervisors. They work to ensure a seamless transition from civilian to military for their employees by rearranging work schedules, granting additional time off, and providing personal interest in and support for the families left behind. All managers regularly contact both the soldier and their family during military absence to offer whatever support is needed.”
CAM SUPERLINE’s nomination for the Freedom Award is highly endorsed by State ESGR Chair Marty Kuhar who stated: “CAM SUPERLINE is an excellent model of a Freedom Award nominee in the small business category. Starting with the plant general manager and through all lines of supervision, all facets of total support for its Reserve Component employees are exhibited. All managers regularly contact both the service member and the family during times away with the military. Family members are always included in all company functions and given total support. Pay and benefits are continued during the entire time a Reserve Component Employee is away. Benefits include health benefits, disability insurance, paid life insurance, paid vacation, paid holidays, and the company 401K program. Furthermore, CAM SUPERLINE actively pursues current members of the Reserve Components and veterans to fill their vacancies. Military employees accompany HR Recruiters to Job fairs and other recruiting events.”
ESGR, a Department of Defense program, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.
For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/PA. Information about the Freedom Award can be found at https://www.freedomaward.mil/