FORT HARRISON, Mont. – Montana Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) State Chair Tim Fox met one-on-one with Montana Army National Guard (MTARNG) members at the MTARNG Retention Symposium at Fort Harrison. The Retention Symposium is a program designed to inform Soldiers and their dependents on the benefits and programs eligible to members and to help provide all information Soldiers may need to help make an informed decision on their future membership in the MTARNG.

The one-day program was conducted Feb. 3. During the Symposium, information was presented by subject matter experts such as: Family Programs, Finance, Tricare, Military One Source and ESGR, in a one-on-one, round robin setting in which each Soldier had the opportunity to address any personal, career, and/or professional military questions. During the symposium, Soldiers also had the opportunity to meet with a Career Counselor to coordinate any requirements necessary for the Soldier to continue their career with the MTARNG.

Fox offered information on ESGR employer outreach programs and discussed how to go about nominating a supportive employer for a Patriot Award. 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. As always, Fox stressed communication with a civilian employer is key when working to maintain a positive relationship with an employer and a Reserve component member fulfilling military obligations.

ESGR is celebrating more than 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

Photo: Montana Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) State Chair Tim Fox meets one-on-one with Montana Army National Guard members during a recent retention symposium at Fort Harrison.