YORK, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced an Employer Outreach event at the Country Club of York. Wes Craig, Pennsylvania State Chair Emeritus and Southeast Area Chair was invited to provided Rotary Club members with an overview of ESGR’s Mission and the Reserve forces structure and operations of units in Pennsylvania. Craig was invited to address club members by Andrew Harold who is also a member of the U.S. Army Reserve’s Staff Judge Advocate Corps. Craig began his presentation by describing the three major components of ESGR’s Mission: Employer Outreach, Military Outreach and Ombudsman Services. He then introduced attendees to the Uniform Services Employment Rights and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), a key component of both outreach missions. Craig presented the salient points of the USERRA law as they apply to employers and the Reserve forces. As the current Commonwealth’s ESGR Military Outreach Director, Craig is acutely aware and up to date with the military education, unit training and deployment demands facing today’s Reserve forces, otherwise known as OPTEMPO (Operations Tempo). He mentioned that today’s OPTEMPO develops highly trained, skilled and professional servicemembers that become leaders and make outstanding employees; Craig emphasizes this by presenting the 200 Rotarians in attendance with the Top Ten Best Reason to hire those who serve in the Reserve forces:
10. GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Military employees have experiences that directly relate to current world events. 9. ON-TIME, ALL THE TIME Military employees know that every second counts. 8. FIRST CLASS IMAGE Military employees understand a professional appearance is a must. 7. CALM UNDER PRESSURE Military employees are resilient and know how to handle stress, both on and off the job. 6. “CAN DO ATTITUDE” Military employees possess critical skills and understand that nothing is impossible. 5. PHYSICAL CONDITIONING Military employees are in top physical condition, resilient, and drug-free. 4. UNDERSTAND DIVERSITY Military employees have succeeded in a very diverse workplace. 3. RESPONSIBILITY Military employees know how to make decisions and take responsibility for meeting objectives. 2. PROFESSIONALISM Military employees have a high degree of integrity, an air of self-respect, and a sense of honor. 1. LEADERSHIP Military employees are excellent leaders and outstanding followers: loyal, dedicated, and highly motivated.
Craig concluded his presentation conveying this thought: “Today’s, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all Pennsylvania employers to 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 1: Craig addressing York Rotary members Photo 2: Courtney Piazzo, President of the Rotary Club of York and Craig: (Piazzos’ spouse recently returned from a nine-month deployment to the Horn of Africa.) Photo 3: Rotary Club of York briefing attendees