ESGR event recognizes employers for outstanding support

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Bronson Abellanida, a Boom Operator with the Hawaii Air National Guard, speaks to Reservists from the 624th Regional Support Group and their employers during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve "Breakfast with the Boss" and KC-135 Stratotanker tour April 2, 2017. ESGR looks to foster knowledge, understanding and serve as the bridge between Reserve Component service members and their civilian employers. Located on Oahu and Guam, and a component of the Air Force Reserve, the 624th RSGs mission is to deliver mission essential capability through combat readiness, quality management and peacetime deployments to any area of responsibility, (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann)

ESGR event recognizes employers for outstanding support

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Diane C. Marques, 48th Aerial Port Squadron special handling superintendent, Master Sgt. Isabel C. Spiker, 48th Aerial Port Squadron air transportation specialist, tour a KC-135 Stratotanker with their employers during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve "Breakfast with the Boss" April 2, 2017. ESGR looks to foster knowledge, understanding and serve as the bridge between Reserve Component service members and their civilian employers. Located on Oahu and Guam, and a component of the Air Force Reserve, the 624th RSGs mission is to deliver mission essential capability through combat readiness, quality management and peacetime deployments to any area of responsibility, (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Raquel Griffin)

ESGR event recognizes employers for outstanding support

Lt. Mark G. Matsusaka, Honolulu Police Department, and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Shannon M. Miki, a personnel craftsman with the 624th Regional Support Group, pose alongside a static aircraft display during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve "Breakfast with the Boss" and Hickam Field tour April 2, 2017. Miki nominated Matsusaka for a Patriot Award, which recognizes individual supervisors who have made special efforts to support Citizen-Warriors and their spouses. ESGR looks to foster knowledge, understanding and serve as the bridge between Reserve Component service members and their civilian employers. Located on Oahu and Guam, and a component of the Air Force Reserve, the 624th RSGs mission is to deliver mission essential capability through combat readiness, quality management and peacetime deployments to any area of responsibility, (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann)

ESGR event recognizes employers for outstanding support

Historian Jess Higa explains the history of Hickam Field to supervisors of Citizen Airmen during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve "Breakfast with the Boss" event April 2, 2017. ESGR looks to foster knowledge, understanding and serve as the bridge between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers. Located on Oahu and Guam, and a component of the Air Force Reserve, the 624th RSGs mission is to deliver mission essential capability through combat readiness, quality management and peacetime deployments to any area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann)

ESGR event recognizes employers for outstanding support

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Travis Kam, a boom operator with the Hawaii Air National Guard, explains refueling procedures to Dr. Kenneth Delano, an employer from Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health Center during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve "Breakfast with the Boss" and KC-135 Stratotanker tour April 2, 2017. Senior Master Sgt. Diane C. Marques of the 48th Aerial Port Squadron nominated Delano for a Patriot Award, which recognizes individual supervisors who have made special efforts to support Citizen-Warriors and their spouses. ESGR looks to foster knowledge, understanding and serve as the bridge between Reserve Component service members and their civilian employers. Located on Oahu and Guam, and a component of the Air Force Reserve, the 624th RSGs mission is to deliver mission essential capability through combat readiness, quality management and peacetime deployments to any area of responsibility, (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann)

ESGR event recognizes employers for outstanding support

Citizen Airmen from the 624th Regional Support Group invited their employers to Hickam Field for an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve "Breakfast with the Boss" and KC-135 Stratotanker tour by the Hawaii Air National Guard April 2, 2017. ESGR looks to foster knowledge, understanding and serve as the bridge between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers. Located on Oahu and Guam, and a component of the Air Force Reserve, the 624th RSGs mission is to deliver mission essential capability through combat readiness, quality management and peacetime deployments to any area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Raquel Griffin)

ESGR event recognizes employers for outstanding support

U.S. Air Force Maj. Myles K. Kimura, a 203rd Air Refueling Squadron pilot, explains the functions of a KC-135 Stratotanker to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert T. Shikina and his employer Marsha A. McFadden, an editor for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve "Breakfast with the Boss" and KC-135 Stratotanker tour April 2, 2017. ESGR looks to foster knowledge, understanding and serve as the bridge between Reserve Component service members and their civilian employers. Located on Oahu and Guam, and a component of the Air Force Reserve, the 624th RSGs mission is to deliver mission essential capability through combat readiness, quality management and peacetime deployments to any area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Raquel Griffin)

ESGR event recognizes employers for outstanding support

Citizen Airmen from the 624th Regional Support Group invited their employers to Hickam Field for an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve "Breakfast with the Boss" to learn about the responsibilities and training Reservists manage while serving in the Air Force Reserve April 2, 2017. ESGR looks to foster knowledge, understanding and serve as the bridge between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers. Located on Oahu and Guam, and a component of the Air Force Reserve, the 624th RSGs mission is to deliver mission essential capability through combat readiness, quality management and peacetime deployments to any area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Raquel Griffin)

ESGR event recognizes employers for outstanding support

Published May 1, 2017
By Master Sgt. Theanne Herrmann
624th Regional Support Group

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – Hawaii Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee Chair Robert Lee, and the 624th Regional Support Group, United States Air Force Reserve, hosted a “Briefing with the Boss” and an employer recognition lunch, April 2.

Sixteen supervisors began the morning with a unit briefing provided by Col. Kenneth M. Lute, Commander, 624 Regional Support Group. In his brief, Lute highlighted the unit’s diverse missions in the Pacific Area of Responsibility and the continuous operational tasking requirements levied upon the Airmen. Lute thanked the supervisors for their support of his Airmen.

Lee, a retired Army Maj. Gen., spoke of the importance for employers and supervisor to understand the level and amount of training their employees achieve while performing their military duties and obligations and how this training benefits their businesses. He also touched on the importance of understanding why their employees are often called away to serve and the need to support them upon their return to their civilian jobs.

“The outpouring of support from the home front has been overwhelming. None of this could have been possible without the strong backing from civilian employers of the brave men and women who serve this great nation and the state of Hawaii,” said Lee.

The day’s agenda included the Hickam Field Historical tour provided by Jessie Higa, a local historian specializing in Hawaii pre-WWII and WWII military and Hawaiian history. She is currently a volunteer historian for the community and private contractor historian and tour guide for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

After completion of the tour the employers were given a static tour of a KC-135 air refueling aircraft from the 203 Air Refueling Squadron Hawaii Air National Guard.

This informative event concluded with an employer recognition lunch where each of the supervisors were recognized and presented with Patriot Awards for the support provided to their employees serving in the Reserves. Statements of Support were signed by the supervisors on behalf of their employers.

ESGR seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within the Department of Defense. 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 more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.