MOORHEAD, Minn. –Army National Guard Sgt. Matthew Stubstad presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award to his employment supervisor, Public Safety Officer Mitch Osland.

The award was presented Nov. 6 at the Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) in recognition of Officer Osland’s support of his employee's service to the Minnesota National Guard.

Stubstad stated he worked under Osland for about the last year and had another few years of working under him previously. He has always been very supportive of his military service, even allowing additional time off to accommodate travel and rest periods beyond what they are required by Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Mitch has never once complained about his absences even though it does put additional strain on the schedule. He incorporated Stubstad's military skills, such as being a military instructor, by trusting Stubstad with instructor roles within his department.

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 receiving a Patriot Award, Officer Mitch Osland signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support, confirming that the university 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 was Lois Robinson and Saad Janjua, ESGR Minnesota Committee members. 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 52 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: Arrick Jackson, Provost & Senior VP for Student Affairs; Saad Janjua, Minnesota ESGR volunteer; Sgt. Matthew Stubstad; Officer Mitch Osland, Public Safety Supervisor; Lois Robinson, ESGR Region 1 Chair; Ryan Nelson, Director of Public Safety; and Dr. Tim Downs, President, PH.D., M.A., B.A. (Photo courtesy of Saad Janjua)