CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that two T-Mobile supervisor recently received a Patriot Awards in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with a Patriot Award for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.

T-Mobile Store Manager Aaron Hulet and Market Manager Eric Delk were nominated for the Patriot Award by Spc. William Bourne who is a member of the Maryland National Guard’s 200th Military Police Company stationed at Sykesville.

In nominating Delk, Spc. Bourne stated: “Eric Delk, Aaron Hulet and T-Mobile have been very supportive of my military service and treated me well.”

Presenting the award on behalf of ESGR was James Astor, Pennsylvania South-Central Area Chair. Astor commented: “It’s critical and an honor to recognize and pay tribute to those employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces. It would be difficult for those in the uniformed services to perform their mission without employer support.” Astor added: “Today’s members of the Guard and Reserves are highly trained and skilled; they bring integrity, a global perspective and, proven leadership to the civilian workforce.”

Upon receiving the Patriot Award, Delk said: “T-Mobile strongly supports our military and is currently hiring thousands of veterans.”

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Astor. “I am asking all South–Central Pennsylvania employers to take a look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees.” Many Pennsylvania employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements by law by offering pay-differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees mobilize.”

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, 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, a 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

Photo (L–R): Hulet, Store Manager; Delk, Market Manager; Spc. Bourne; Astor, PA-ESGR South-Central Area Chair