HELENA, Mont. – Adam Liston with the Boeing Company was honored recently with a Department of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award. The award nomination came from Liston’s employee and Montana Army National Guard 1-189th General Aviation Support Battalion (1-189th GSAB) 1st Lt. Troy Merriman in recognition of Liston’s extraordinary support of Merriman’s military obligations. The award was presented by Montana ESGR State Chair Tim Fox and Montana ESGR Ombudsman Mike Talia.
The Patriot Award 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.
The nomination reads, “As an Army Aviator, in addition to my regular drill and annual training, I am required to maintain flight proficiency and continue my aviation education. This requires a minimum of 45 hours every semi-annual period, equating to about a 1.75-hour flight each week. In addition, this year I attended a 45-day course in aviation maintenance and a 29-day joint readiness training. In the last year alone, I was away from work more than 100 days. During this time my manager, Adam Liston, has been more than supportive. He assists with transitioning to and from leave of absences, supporting a flexible schedule for flying, and keeping me in good standing with both the Guard and work. He goes out of his way to make me feel like a valued member of the team and that my time with the Guard is just as valued. I am fortunate to have such a strong advocate and supporter.”
Liston commented that Merriman is a valued and an ideal employee because of his Army National Guard training and professionalism. He signed an ESGR Statement of Support which is the cornerstone of ESGR’s effort to gain and maintain employer support for the Guard and Reserve. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the Nation’s Guard and Reserve units. Employers sign the certificate and display it at their place of work.
The Boeing Company in Helena plays a key part of Boeing’s supply chain, specializing in complex machining of hard metals for Boeing commercial aircraft. Ironically, the plant is kitty corner to the Montana Army National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility where Merriman performs his military obligations. The 1-189th GSAB operates various helicopters to include the Boeing CH-47 Chinook which is a tandem-rotor helicopter is manufactured by Boeing Defense.
The Adjutant General of Montana Major General J. Peter Hronek, II attended the ceremony with his command staff, 35 Guard members and Lt. Merriman’s spouse as well as his parents and his daughter.
Congratulations Adam Liston for being a supportive civilian employer of our country’s service members. You provide a valuable service to our country by supporting our Guard and Reserve members.
ESGR is celebrating over 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: Adam Liston of the Boeing Company signs an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support using a Boeing made CH-47 Chinook helicopter as a hard surface. Liston also received an ESGR Patriot Award with a nomination from his civilian employee, Montana Army National Guard 1-189th General Aviation Support Battalion (1-189th GSAB) 1st Lt. Troy Merriman, left, in recognition of Liston’s extraordinary support of Merriman’s military obligations.