FORT SNELLING, Minn. – U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Sara Sprattler, currently assigned to the 88th Readiness Division, presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award to her civilian supervisor, the Division’s Mission Command Support Group Supervisory Staff Administrator Sara Buhr.

The award was given on Jan. 18 at Fort Snelling in recognition of Buhr’s support of Sprattler’s service to the Army Reserve. Sprattler was appreciative of the way that Buhr promotes civilian and military education and career progression; trusts her employees and recognizes adjustable tools to support work life balance and mission accomplishment. e.g., virtual work; and is a talent recognizer and talent motivator. Sara Buhr builds and cares for her teams. Buhr, who had also served in the Army Reserve recently retiring as a command sergeant major, respects and develops the civilian employees she supervised as well as the Soldiers she led.

An employee serving in the National Guard or Military Reserve, or the spouse of a National Guard or Military Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors for the Patriot Award for support provided directly to the nominating Servicemember and his or her family. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.
In addition to the day’s Patriot Award, COL Stacy Goodman, commander of the Mission Command Support Group, signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support, confirming that the company joins other employers in pledging:

• We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
• We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
• We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.

Also present was Christie Nixon, an ESGR Ombudsman/Minnesota Committee member. ESGR is a Department of Defense office that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers. This year, ESGR celebrates over 50 years of excellence in support of the Reserve Components and their civilian employers.

For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.

Photo left to right: ESGR Volunteer Christie Nixon, Sara Buhr, Sgt. 1st Class Sara Sprattler, and Col. Stacy Goodman. (Photos courtesy of Sgt. 1st Class Michael O’Brien, 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 88th Readiness Division)