ESGR launches nominations for 'Freedom Award'

  • Published
  • By 931st ARG Public Affairs
  • 931st Air Refueling Group
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Airmen from the 931st Air Refueling Group are encouraged to nominate their employers for the 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom award, a program sponsored by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

The Freedom Award is the DoD's highest award for civilian employers supporting Guard and Reserve members.

Col. William H. Mason, Commander, 931st Air Refueling Group said Air Force Reserve units around the country have worked with the ESGR programs to promote the well-being and job security of Airmen who serve their country.

"The support provided to our reserve members by their civilian employers is a cornerstone to the success of the Air Force Reserve mission. The ESGR program and the employers who support our Guard and Reserve Airmen are invaluable partners who deserve recognition and thanks," said Mason. "As our operational tempo continues to increase, the support of our employers has never been more critical."

The DoD encourages all Guard and Reserve members to nominate employers who have provided exceptional support of their military service. Nominations may be submitted by service members, or a family member acting on their behalf, at www.FreedomAward.mil through Jan.16.

"Employers who go above and beyond in their support of Guard and Reserve members are providing a tremendous service to our country; they are contributing to the resiliency and peace of mind of the more than one million men and women who stand ready to serve when our nation's calls on them," said David McGinnis, acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. "Guard and Reserve members who feel their employers have gone the extra mile in supporting their military service should nominate them for the 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award to show their appreciation and highlight their support as an example for others to follow."

With employer support acknowledged as a critical component of our national defense, ESGR enhanced the nomination website this year to help guide nominators in capturing the most important details of their employers' support. Previous recipients garnered recognition for supportive measures including organizing colleagues to provide dinners to a deployed employee's family, covering extra shifts during an employee's military training, taking a deployed service member's children to sports practices and other family events, and establishing robust military support networks.

The 2012 recipients will be announced by early summer and honored in Washington, DC during a special ceremony early next fall.

The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR to recognize exceptional support from the employer community. In the years since, 160 employers have been honored with the award. ESGR was established in 1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

For questions or interviews regarding the Freedom Award, please visit www.FreedomAward.mil.