Decatur Aviation Facility Recognized by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

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DECATUR, ILLINOIS (05/29/2015)(readMedia)-- Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) of Illinois recognized the Illinois Army National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility 1 (AASF 1) in Decatur, Illinois during "Breakfast with the Boss" May 28.

Lt. Col. Christopher McIntyre of Cantrall, Illinois, commander of AASF 1, accepted the ESGR's Seven Seals award on behalf of the facility. The award is given in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission.

The Illinois ESGR also recognized the Navy Operations Support Center in Decatur, Illinois with a Seven Seals Award. U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Mark Atkinson, commanding officer of Decatur's NOSC, accepted the award.

McIntyre said that the AASF strives to keep employers informed and that events like this solidify lines of communication.

"It grows our strategic partnerships with the local community and our employers and it builds relationships," said McIntyre. "It's through good communication that we're able to solve issues at the lowest level, if there are any issues at all."

The ESGR represents all seven branches of the Reserves, to include the National Guard. Illinois' ESGR organizes four "Breakfast with the Boss" events yearly to give employers an opportunity to see what the National Guard and Reserves do. Dr. Michael Ayers, the Employer Outreach Director for Illinois' ESGR and the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army said events like this give employers a better idea of what their Reserve and National Guard employees do when they are training.

"When employers come out and see the equipment, it helps them better understand what their employees are doing when they're away," said Ayers. "That goes a long way with them, it's like the old 'a picture is worth a thousand words' adage."

Lt. Col. Mark Whitlock of Springfield, Illinois, Illinois National Guard ESGR Program Coordinator said the event had a positive effect on employers and helps to build a relationship between them and military leadership.

"It allows the military organization and its servicemembers to showcase the great work that is being done," said Whitlock. "It also gives the employer a clear appreciation of the transferable skills and capabilities of their employees that they might not have been aware of."

The Illinois ESGR also recognized CSX Transportation of Decatur, Illinois and Decatur Industrial Electric with "Above and Beyond" awards for consistently going beyond the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act to support their uniformed employees.

Atkinson echoed Whitlock, highlighting the importance of events like this, not only for employers, but also as an employee.

"It recognizes the employers who give their employees time off to complete their training," said Atkinson. "I was reservist person for about 12 years and all of my employers went above and beyond to support me as an employee. Without employers like this, it would be difficult for the United States to remain the leader in the world that we are today."

To close the event, McIntyre and Atkinson signed ceremonial agreements to signify their resolve in supporting employers and their relationships with Reservists and National Guard personnel.

Cutline 1: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Damien Germscheid of Decatur, Illinois, a maintenance test pilot at Army Aviation Support Facility 1 in Decatur, Illinois gives employers an overview of the capabilities of the UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter at Illinois' Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's (ESGR) Breakfast with the Boss event May 28 in Decatur, Illinois. The event was organized to recognize employers and highlight what National Guard personnel and Reservists do when they're away from their civilian jobs. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Spretizer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 2: Lt. Col. Christopher McIntyre of Cantrall, Illinois, commander of Army Aviation Support Facility 1, stands with Dr. Michael Ayers, the Employer Outreach Director for Illinois' Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army and Laurie Silvey, the Awards Director for Illinois' ESGR after receiving the Seven Seals award at the ESGR's Breakfast with the Boss event May 28 in Decatur, Illinois. The event was organized to recognize employers and highlight what National Guard personnel and Reservists do when they're away from their civilian jobs. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Spretizer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 3: Lt. Col. Christopher McIntyre of Cantrall, Illinois, commander of Army Aviation Support Facility 1 and U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Mark Atkinson, commanding officer of Decatur's Navy Operations Support Center sign Employer Agreements to signify their resolve in supporting employers and their relationships with Reservists and National Guard personnel at the Illinois Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's (ESGR) Breakfast with the Boss event May 28 in Decatur, Illinois. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Spretizer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)