DULUTH, Minn. – Navy Reserve Petty Officer 1st Class Jesse Degerstrom presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award to his employment supervisors, Emma Barr and Brandon Torgerson. The award was given May 30 at the Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge in recognition of Barr and Torgerson's support of Degerstrom’s service to the United States Navy Reserve.

Degerstrom was very appreciative of their support and assistance with his Navy deployments, and he wanted to honor his supervisors.

An employee serving in the Military Reserve, or the spouse of a Military Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors for the Patriot Award for support provided directly to the nominating Service member and his 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 receiving Patriot Awards, his supervisors 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 Reemployment 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 were Minnesota Committee members Frederick J. Godec and James Conger.

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. ESGR celebrates over 51 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 Region II Chair Frederick J. Godec, Emma Barr Supervisor, BM-1 Jesse D. Degerstrom, Brandon Torgerson Supervisor, ESGR Volunteer James Conger. (Photo courtesy of Char Godec)