Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Home

Has your Civilian Employer been supportive of your Reserve/Guard Military Service? Why or why not? You can nominate supportive Civilian Employers for an award. If you are having military duty issues with your Employer that cannot get resolved, contact the ESGR for assistance.

"ESGR, a Department of Defense office, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. ESGR is supported by a network of more than 4,500 volunteers in 54 committees located across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam-CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Volunteers, hailing from small business and industry, government, education and prior military service bring a vast wealth of experience to assist in serving employers, service members and their families. Together with Headquarters ESGR staff and a small cadre of support staff for each State Committee, volunteers work to promote and enhance employer support for military service in the Guard and Reserve.

ESGR has served our country 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. These citizen warriors could not defend and protect us at home and abroad without the continued promise of meaningful civilian employment for themselves and their families. ESGR has continued to adapt to meet the needs of Reserve Component members, their families and America’s employers by joining forces with a network of other national, state and local government and professional trade organizations as together, We All Serve!"

"Nominate your Employer

There are two ways you can recognize your supervisor or employer for his/her support of your military service:

Patriot Award – This award recognizes supervisors and bosses nominated by a Guardsman or Reservist employee for support provided directly to the nominator. Spouses of Service Members are also eligible to nominate their supportive supervisor.

Guard or Reserve Member - Nominate Here! Spouses - Nominate Here!

If you have questions about our employer recognition programs, please contact your local committee by selecting “State Pages” or from the link at the top of the ESGR webpage. You can also contact ESGR at [login to see] Option 6 or "Click Here" to send and email.

Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award – This award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Each year, Guard and Reserve employees, or a family member acting on their behalf, have the opportunity to nominate their employer for the Freedom Award. Nominate your employer by logging on to http://www.FreedomAward.mil and click nominate at the top of the page."