COLVILLE, Wash. - Joshua White, forest supervisor at the U.S. Forest Service, was presented with a Patriot Award by Jim Wynne, east area chair for the Washington Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve in recognition of extraordinary support of his employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

White was nominated by Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Todd, a public affairs officer at the U.S. Forest Service.

“The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees who have answered their nation’s call to serve,” said Wynne. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”

White’s support of Todd’s military duty exemplifies the employer support necessary to maintain the readiness of the Reserve Component. “I have been serving in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Area of Responsibility (INDOPACOM AOR) for a few years, although in different units,” explained Todd in why he nominated White for ESGR’s Patriot Award. “The missions have been roughly similar and equally time intensive. Having only been in my current position here for 12 months, I have already missed over five weeks of work to serve with my Army Reserve unit or at a Joint Command. Next year looks even more intense with a likely total of 10 weeks out of the office. Supervisor White has been nothing but understanding and supportive.”

“National Guard and Reserve members bring tremendous skills and capabilities to our workforce, and employer support for their military service is critical to maintaining the strength of our Guard and Reserve units,” said Wynne. “By valuing the military service of their Guard and Reserve employees, employers are directly supporting the readiness and retention of our All-Volunteer Force, and our national defense, as well as their success in the civilian workforce.”

“He [White], an Army veteran of Afghanistan where he served as an Infantry leader in the initial stages of the war, has assisted me deeply in my growth as a non-commissioned officer in the Army … also helping me to connect those dots of lessons learned back to my civilian career with the U.S. Forest Service,” said Todd.  “Supervisor White engaged my whole family with a warm welcome when we initially, not knowing anyone, arrived in this smalltown last year. That openness and support continues to this day … and it is a theme that I carry with me into a leadership role in my Reserve unit.”

“I was honored to be recognized as a patriotic employer,” said White.  “As an organization, the small sacrifice we must bear to support those serving in the Guard and Reserves, pales in comparison to what these patriotic men and women go through when they choice to volunteer their service to our Nation.  I am honored for the opportunity to continue offering my full support if it helps reduce the stress and burden on those what are willing to serve their country.”

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

Pictured: Joshua White (right), forest supervisor at the U.S. Forest Service, was presented with a Patriot Award by Jim Wynne, east area chair for the Washington Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve in recognition of extraordinary support of his employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.  White was nominated by Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Todd (left), a public affairs office at the U.S. Forest Service.