OLYMPIA, Wash.– Jeff Smith, correctional lieutenant at the Nisqually Public Safety Complex, was presented with a Patriot Award by Phil Sanders, state chair for the Washington Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, and Christian Dahl, Washington ESGR employer outreach coordinator in recognition of extraordinary support of his employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

Smith was nominated by Washington Army National Guardsman Spc. Ashlee Cook, a correctional corporal at the Nisqually Public Safety Complex.  “Lt. Smith has done well working around my Guard duty from the minute I started working at the jail,” said Cook.  “While I have been gone for the last year he has stayed in contact with me to get a pay raise while I was gone and he had also been working with me to get a promotion since I have been home.”

“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 Sanders. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units because 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.”

At the conclusion of the presentation Smith also signed an ESGR Statement of Support.  The Statement of Support confirms Nisqually Public Safety Complex joins other employers in pledging:

• We fully recognize, honor and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment 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.

“Nisqually Public Safety Complex joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces,” added Sanders.  “By signing the Statement of Support, Nisqually Public Safety Complex is sending a clear message to its employees that while they are serving their country, they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”

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 50 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/WA.

Pictured: Jeff Smith (middle), correctional lieutenant at the Nisqually Public Safety Complex, was presented with a Patriot Award by Phil Sanders (far right), state chair for the Washington Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, and Christian Dahl, Washington ESGR employer outreach coordinator in recognition of extraordinary support of his employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.  Smith was nominated by Washington Army National Guardsman Spc. Ashlee Cook (far left), a correctional corporal at the Nisqually Public Safety Complex.