Employers of Guard members and Reservists were cited for their support of Soldiers in a presidential proclamation issued Friday.
Employers are "hiring and retaining members of the Guard and Reserve, and … creating a culture of military support in the workplace," President Barack Obama said.
The proclamation declared Sept. 16-22 as National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week.
The proclamation reads:
"During the 236 years since our fundamental rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were first put to paper, ordinary citizens have always stood ready to defend them as members of the United States Armed Forces. Today's service members represent the latest in the long line of heroes who have answered their country's call, and their exceptional service in a post-9/11 world has secured their place alongside the greatest generations. As essential components of our military, the National Guard and Reserve have helped carry that legacy forward. This week, we honor their service and sacrifice, give thanks to their employers, and reaffirm our commitment to giving our troops, our military families, and our veterans the opportunities and support they have earned.
"Of the more than 2 million Americans who have gone to war since September 11, 2001, many have been members of the Guard and Reserve. Deployment after deployment, these men and women demonstrate the utmost courage and distinction in the line of duty, putting themselves in harm's way while knowing all too well the full cost of conflict. Members of the Guard and Reserve also serve here at home, stepping in to keep our communities safe when emergencies or natural disasters threaten our security. For their extraordinary sacrifice, our nation must serve them as well as they have served us—from ensuring they have our fullest support on the battlefield to helping them find good jobs when they come home.
"Businesses across America are helping us meet that obligation by hiring and retaining members of the Guard and Reserve, and by creating a culture of military support in the workplace. These employers help keep our service members' civilian careers moving forward, and many demonstrate their invaluable support by ensuring our men and women in uniform—and their families—get the flexibility and care they need during deployment. At a time when our nation has asked so much of our troops and military families, businesses nationwide are helping them meet the challenges they face and defend the country they love.
"America shares a sacred trust with all those who serve in our Armed Forces, and my administration remains committed to honoring that trust. As part of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden's Joining Forces initiative, we have striven to expand employment opportunities for veterans and military spouses, and to help workplaces create environments that support military families.
"Within the past year, 2,000 companies have hired or trained more than 125,000 service members and military spouses through Joining Forces. With tools like our online Veterans Job Bank, we are connecting veterans to businesses that will put their skills to work. I was proud to sign the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which created new tax credits to encourage employers to hire veterans. And this July, we announced an overhaul of our transition assistance program that will give departing service members the training they need to find their next job or advance their education and skills.
"During National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week, let us pay tribute to the brave men and women who keep our Nation safe and celebrate their devoted employers, whose support is vital to the strength of our military.
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 16 through September 22, 2012, as National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week. I call upon all Americans to join me in expressing our heartfelt thanks to the members of the National Guard and Reserve and their civilian employers. I also call on State and local officials, private organizations, and all military commanders, to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities."
Your total enlistment period will be eight years, but you can serve as little as three or six years, and spend the remainder in IRR (Individual Ready Reserve).
Learn moreAbsolutely. Your Guard service is only part time—just one weekend per month, and one two-week period each year.
See how the Guard helps with school.Recruits need to meet certain standards of height, weight, age, fitness and education in order to enlist.
Learn about the Guard's eligibility requirements.Yes. Guard members can be mobilized to protect and defend America in battle domestically or overseas.
Learn more about about training.MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station, METS stands for Military Entrance Testing Site.
Learn moreThe Guard is a military branch that serves both state and federal governments, at home and overseas.
Find out more about the Guard.Guard pay is based on your rank and the number of years you've served, along with incentives like hazardous-duty pay.
Contact a representative to learn more.Your pay depends on a few different factors, but you won't make less than $183 for every weekend you drill.
Find out more about Guard pay.Different states may offer commissioning bonuses for critical skill positions. Please check with your local Guard representative for current bonus information.
Learn more about becoming an officer.Yes, you will be paid for every day you work.
Find out about Annual Training pay.There are different ways to become an officer. If you’re heading to college, the ROTC program is the way to go.
View how to become an officer.The training period varies for each job.
Learn moreFor certain career specialties, particularly medical professions, the Guard will reimburse student loans.
Contact a Guard representative.Find jobs in your area on our Job Board.
Learn moreIn two major ways: getting promotions and activating retirement benefits.
Learn more from a Guard representative.If you've completed Army or Marine Corps Basic Training, you won't need to repeat BCT. Most other prior service personnel will need to attend BCT (except USAF and USN Special Operations personnel). Your recruiter has details.
Talk to a Guard representative.Yes, provided you can complete 20 years of total military service by age 62.
Learn more about retirement benefits.As a National Guard Soldier, you get good pay and great benefits, and continue building toward a military retirement—while serving your country in a part-time status.
Learn moreYou are eligible for this benefit only once in your career. Once it has ended, it cannot be reinstated, even with a new enlistment contract.
Learn more.Your Chapter 1606 GI Bill benefit is suspended while you are AGR. You may need to extend your enlistment to have it reinstated once you return as a traditional drilling Soldier.
Learn more.Eligibility for Chapter 1607 is based on Title 10 Active Duty periods. The Border Mission is Title 32 and not considered a mobilization eligible for Chapter 1607.
Learn more.If you are released from Active Duty prior to completing 90 days due to an illness or injury in the line of duty, you will receive Chapter 1607 benefits at a 40 percent rate.
Learn more.You cannot receive payment from more than one benefit program at a time.
Learn more.Your estimated total for the first year.
*DetailsPlease understand that these calculations are only estimates and that a recruiter will have the most up-to-date information about benefits.
Because of the broad range of pay options, the Pay Calculator does not apply to Medical Professional Officers.
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