Hickam reservists join ESGR to thank civilian employers

Civilian employers pose for a photo with 624th Regional Support Group reservists in front of a C-17 Globemaster at an Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve event at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 8, 2013. The commander of the 624th RSG, Col. Maynard "Max" Mendoza, far right, hosted a tour of the unit's three Hawaii-based squadrons to give employers a close-up view of what their reservists do one weekend a month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Phyllis E. Keith)

Hickam reservists join ESGR to thank civilian employers

The commander of the 624th Regional Support Group, Col. Maynard "Max" Mendoza, left, shakes hands with Thomas Borgioli, right, the civilian employer of reservist Senior Airman Tara Marino (not pictured) of the 624th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 8, 2013. Marino nominated Borgioli, her boss at the U.S. Army Health Clinic Medical Laboratory, for a Patriot Award for his support of her and two other 624th ASTS reservists who work for him at the lab. Marino said Borgioli, a U.S. Army veteran, received his "40 Years of Exceptional Service" medal from the DoD in 2011 and is an awesome supporter of the U.S. Air Force Reserves! (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rashard Coaxum)

Hickam reservists join ESGR to thank civilian employers

Chanthal Azarpour, left, an admissions advisor at Heald College, and Senior Airman Christopher A. Mendoza, right, with the 624th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, 624th Regional Support Group, help themselves to a breakfast buffet sponsored by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 8, 2013. Mendoza nominated Azarpoour, his civilian boss, for a Patriot Award which ESGR gives to employers to recognize their support for the Reserves and National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rashard Coaxum)

Hickam reservists join ESGR to thank civilian employers

From left, retired Army Lt. Col. Howard Sugai, the military outreach coordinator for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, presents a Patriot Award to Cliff Baptista, a program manager and Pacific Air Forces site leader for VSE Corporation, joined by his employee, Maj. Kathleen M. Izon, the commander of the 48th Aerial Port Squadron, and the commander of the 624th Regional Support Group, Col. Maynard "Max" Mendoza. ESGR has served the military for more than 40 years, fostering 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. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rashard Coaxum)

Hickam reservists join ESGR to thank civilian employers

Published June 25, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis E. Keith
624th Regional Support Group Public Affairs

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii -- The 624th Regional Support Group and the Hawaii Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve hosted a "Breakfast with the Boss" event at the Tradewinds Enlisted Club, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

Civilian employers of reservists arrived Saturday morning at Hickam Field where the ESGR treated them to breakfast at the club. ESGR, a Department of Defense office for 40 years, works to gain and maintain support from employers for National Guard and Reserve members by bringing them out to the units and officially recognizing them.

A highlight of the morning was the commander of the 624th RSG, Col. Maynard "Max" Mendoza, hosting a bus tour of the unit's three Hawaii-based squadrons--624th Civil Engineering Squadron, 48th Aerial Port Squadron, and 624th Aeromedical Staging Squadron. The tour showcased where the reservists train on the weekends and how they accomplish that training.

John Purdy, a maintenance supervisor for Tesoro Hawaii said the tour gave him a perspective on how his employee, Senior Master Sgt. Mark W. Coulbourne, trains for the Air Force Reserve, as well as an understanding of why he needs to serve on active duty for at least two weeks each year. Coulbourne, a reservist with the 48th APS, said Tesoro continues to pay his salary when he goes on active duty.

Cliff Baptista, a program manager and Pacific Air Forces site leader for VSE Corporation said he didn't expect to be shown the fire department, medical clinic, loading docks, and flightline. "It was beyond what I thought it would be," he said. His employee, Maj. Kathleen M. Izon, the commander of the 48th APS, said Baptista outwardly recognizes her as a special asset and hires someone to fill in for her without penalty when she goes on active duty.

For most of the civilian employers, it was their first time seeing a U.S. Air Force base close-up.

Chanthal Azarpour, an admissions advisor at Heald College, said she had never been on a military installation before, and she appreciated the opportunity to see what the military does. She said it was an honor for her to support a military member who goes off to serve the country.

Senior Airman Christopher A. Mendoza of the 624th ASTS said, "Chanthal is the epitome of outstanding when it comes to bosses. She is not only supportive of our mission as members of the military, but she is also there for my family whenever duty calls."

The tour of the Air Force Reserve unit was capped off with a ceremony in which ESGR gave employers a "Patriot Award" for their support and Mendoza presented them with a challenge coin.

"Commanders traditionally give coins to superior performers who go above and beyond the call of duty in executing their duties, and I'm honored this afternoon to present you my coin for supporting your military members," said Mendoza.

In thanking the employers, ESGR said the reservists were part of an elite group and their civilian employers just as special considering only one percentage of the U.S. population had served in the military.