ARLINGTON, Va.-The beginning of the new year marks the final days for Guam National Guard and Reserve members and their families to nominate supportive employers for the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.
With seven nominations already submitted, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense agency, continues to encourage nominations of employers who have gone above and beyond in their support of military employees.
Nominations will be accepted at www.FreedomAward.mil through Jan. 19, 2009.
The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
Fifteen recipients from across the nation will be selected, representing small employers, large employers and public sector employers. The 2009 recipients will be announced in the spring and honored in Washington, D.C. at the 14th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony Sept. 17, 2009.
The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to recognize exceptional support from the employer community.
A local ceremony, scheduled to take place this year, will recognize Guam and CNMI employers that go "Above and Beyond" to provide extraordinary support of its employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
Some examples of extraordinary support include employers who have reviewed and amended their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act Law. Many employers provide "Above and Beyond" support with pay differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits which complement coverage provided by the military when their employees are mobilized.
In order for an employer to qualify for a state award, such as the Pro Patria or Above and Beyond Award, or the National Freedom Award, the employer must have, as a minimum, been nominated by one of its employees to receive a Patriot Award and have signed a Statement of Support.
If you believe you have an employer who deserves a local or a national employer award, but are unsure what the eligibility criteria is, please contact Captain Josephine Blas, Public Affairs Director for the ESGR Guam-CNMI Committee at 735-0456 for more information. (PR)
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