The Massachusetts Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and
Reserve convened at the Massachusetts National Guard Joint Forces
Headquarters in
Milford
MA
on November 22nd for a day of training. Classes included special
guest speakers, general updating for all members and splitting into
groups for specific training related to assignments and time in the
program.
This
year’s keynote speaker was Brigadier General (BG) Robert G.
Catalanotti, commander of the United States Army Reserve (USAR) 98th
Division (Institutional Training), spoke of his tour of duty in
Taji
,
Iraq
where he served as Base Commander, Taji Military Training Base (CENTCOM).
He described passionately and in great detail how proud he is of the
men and women who serve this county at home and abroad. He provided
an overview of the USAR, its mission and his belief in the
importance of the ESGR mission.
Mr.
Gary Cyr, Employer Support Division at the ESGR National
Headquarters, briefed attendees on military liaison operations. He
explained how to better use the Civilian Employment Information (CEI)
data base to focus attention on employers in specific locations
within the state. This allows the committee to get the best
return on its efforts. Mr. Cyr also provided the National Hqs. view
on other topics covered throughout the training day which proved
very informative for the members.
ESGR
Ombudsmen and a potential new Committee Member volunteer heard from
Mr. Paul Desmond, Director of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
Veterans Employment and Training Service. Mr. Paul Desmond discussed
recent USERRA issues and answered questions.
Mr.
Dave St. Germain presented data on the status of the Statement of
Support (SOS) program including the process being used to obtain
potential SOS candidate employers. We are on track to once again
achieve our goal of 991 for FY2009. Dave also showed a video he had
made of the committee’s many events during the past year.
SFC
Richard Reynolds showed members how to navigate around the ESGR
websites. This proved very useful to many present.
The
awards program was explained by the Awards Director, Mr. Roger
Fortin. Roger discussed the various awards available and the
criteria established for each. Many Guard/Reserve members have
already gone online to nominate their MA employers for the Freedom
Award which is the highest DoD award given to a civilian employer.
Mr.
Bill Hebert
presented “Ten Things Everyone Needs to Know about ESGR and
USERRA”. This generated some discussion among members on several
of the items presented. The most important item was not to attempt
to interpret USERRA if you are not an ombudsman.
How
mobilization efforts both the employer and employee was presented by
Dr. Tom Mulvaney. Most of the attention is focused on the
service member when a mobilization occurs, but we must not forget
that the civilian employer is also making a significant sacrifice
when ever an employee leaves to perform military.
Mr. Ken Forchielli,
The Chair Emeritus, briefed the members on the new Army Reserve
Employment Partnership Program. Ken explained that the program
will not negatively impact ESGR as some rumors have stated, but
should work in concert with ESGR.
Mr. Joe Ryan then
discussed the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program within the state.
Several of these events have already occurred and we can expect many
more as troops continue to return from deployments.
Exceptional
Volunteer Service Awards were presented by MA ESGR Field Chair Tom
Boyle to Committee Members Roger Fortin and Wayne Theroux in
recognition of their commitment to the Massachusetts Committee and
their outstanding support of employers and the men and women of
Massachusetts who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
As important as the training is, it is also important for members to
meet with friends, exchange ideas, encourage networking and
rejuvenate their enthusiasm for supporting those that serve in the
Guard or Reserve by gaining and maintaining employer support.
