I'm tired of all the negative. What stories do you have where your employer went above and beyond to show appreciation for their vets?

SFC Josh Billingsley — Wed, 25 May 2016 20:19:48 -0400

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 25 at 2016 8:23 PM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 25 May 2016 20:23:04 -0400

SFC Josh Billingsley great question. I have found that the best way to show appreciation is give back. I try to provide help, guidance or express gratitude daily. Paying forward

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made May 25 at 2016 8:47 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 25 May 2016 20:47:32 -0400

When I was working as a Professional Guide at the Root Ranch, one day the boss contacted me on the radio stating my Army Reserve unit had contacted him to let him know it was an alert notice. I asked if I needed to call them back, he said no, I needed to report to Boise (A/321 Engineer). Now you have to understand it was about 90 minutes by plane from Salmon, Id to the ranch, and a 4 hr drive from Salmon to Boise. He told me to get my gear ready and he'd be there in two hrs to pick me up. He also offered to fly me directly to Boise. I figured the time and I had driving time, so I elected to drive. But that also meant at the end of the alert, he would fly from Salmon to Boise to pick me up. I thought that was great! When it came to Reserve duty, he pulled no punches, he supported me.

Response by SrA Steve Susumu Monas made May 25 at 2016 10:18 PM

SrA Steve Susumu Monas — Wed, 25 May 2016 22:18:52 -0400

This isn't when I became a Veteran. But before I went in. I was employed at a Landscape company. I was payed at a higher rate than any other Newby working for this company, because I was going into the U.S.A.F.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made May 25 at 2016 10:38 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 25 May 2016 22:38:22 -0400

Well the company I work for is made up of all Veterans and Retirees so it makes transition easier. Now I don't know how you classify above and beyond, but I'm a simple guy who appreciates simple things. Some of the things I appreciate is working hand in hand with Marines every day. We've also taken part in their squadron photo and been invited to their Ball and Mess Night. The camaraderie is what I appreciate the most because it's something severely lacking in the civilian world.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 11:27 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 23:27:01 -0400

I currently work overseas and we can take 3 R&Rs a year for 16 days each, unless, you are a reservist or in the National Guard going home for Annual Training. Then, you are authorized to take 30 days so you can actually have a vacation once you complete your annual requirements.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 12:52 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 00:52:53 -0400

While waiting in Kuwait to roll across the border, one of our guy's boss, a retired full bird / Vietnam Vet, flew out on his own dime, managed to make his way to Arifjan to wish him, and us well and deliver a care package from guys in his office. I'm gonna say that was well above and beyond.

In 1997 when in Germany, same thing though his boss had a lot more fun in 1997 Germany than the other guy in 2003 Kuwait.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 2:25 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 02:25:35 -0400

I only had one employee in my small construction company and I let him do anything he wanted to do. grin

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 3:14 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 03:14:14 -0400

My current civilian employer has an entire department dedicated to helping thier vet employees. When I started, they sent me a welcome package and info on all the services offered to help vets at work, home and durring service. They double the required time off with pay when returning from deployments. They pay me to go to drill and other military training, which is very helpful since I have to travel far for drill and my drill pay doesn't even cover gas. Tomorrow, they are hosting a company meeting with high ranking vets in the company speaking about leadership and service, particularly female leadership since that's a hot topic. This is all just the tip of the iceberg that my company does to support vets.

Response by Sgt Christopher Wenzel made May 26 at 2016 7:32 AM

Sgt Christopher Wenzel — Thu, 26 May 2016 07:32:07 -0400

HA!

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 9:26 AM

Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 09:26:28 -0400

There are so many former vets that have been and are still in prison that it's good to see when society gives an ex-con and RSO a second chance. Congrats to
SN Timothy Welty on finding a job in his field and kudos to his new company for taking a chance on him.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made May 26 at 2016 11:39 AM

MSG Pat Colby — Thu, 26 May 2016 11:39:19 -0400

I spent about three years in the Reserves. During that time I worked construction framing up new houses with a private contractor. The guy I worked for was a Nam Vet. We got along great. At the time the Army was building up (Reagan years) and everyone pretty much had a blank check. I was pretty well known in the Command as being able to go at a moments notice. Last minute school slots and Training opportunities came up all the time. My boss supported everything that came up and actually encouraged me to attend everything possible because he knew that every 1059 adds up. Stuff came up all the time. (People originally scheduled failed APFT, Job conflicts, Injuries, etc..) Hell, I went to ANCOC (and passed) with 2 days notice because the Command didn't want to waste the slot!!

Without him knowing, I submitted him for the Employer Support Award and tricked him into meeting me at the Unit during a Drill. When they called him to the front of the formation he was quite shocked. As they presented him the Award he was in tears.

IF you don't know about the recognition award, here's the link. PLEASE recognize your Employers! http://www.esgr.mil/Employer-Awards/ESGR-Awards-Programs.aspx

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Employer Awards ESGR Awards Programs

Our Nation has relied heavily on Guard and Reserve service members since entering continuous operations more than a decade ago. Employer support enhances retention rates in the Armed Forces and in the end, strengthens our national security. To recognize employers who support their Guard and Reserve employees, ESGR grants a series of Department of Defense (DoD) awards:

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 12:30 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 12:30:27 -0400

During my civilian police career, every year I went on ADT or SADT, I obviously received my pay from Uncle Sam (usually late). My police employers ALSO paid me full time wages while I was on military leave. They were not required to provide military leave nor pay me. They did both, and I am forever grateful. As an agent in CGIS for the last twenty years of my military career, I was oftentimes called and requested to go somewhere ASAP for some criminal-related issue, incident, arrest, etc. My Sheriff got to the point where he would simply ask, as I packed up my office and turned out the light, "Can I ask what this one's about this time, or will you need to kill me???"