ESGR Boss Lift an Eye Opening Experience for Alabama Guard Employers

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MONTGOMERY, AL (08/05/2010)(readMedia)-- On Tuesday, July 27th, 18 employers of Alabama National Guard Soldiers and Airmen strapped themselves into the mesh seats of a droning UH60 Blackhawk helicopter. They waited patiently and some nervously for the roaring beast to take flight. With a thumbs-up from the crew chief, they were airborne, headed to Camp Shelby, Miss., for an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) boss lift.

Members of the Alabama ESGR Committee formulated the boss lift in an effort to educate and enlighten the employers on the importance of Guard and Reserve training whether prior to deployment, during annual training or for a military service school. Employers were invited on the three day trip by their Guard and Reserve employees.

The boss lift started with a brief layover in Mobile, Ala., where the employers took a tour of the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center and were briefed by Deepwater Horizon incident commander Capt. Steve Poulin. Poulin discussed the Coast Guards involvement with the oil spill. "At this point, we've burned over 11 million gallons of oil and skimmed 33 million gallons off the top," said Poulin. "And we couldn't have done it without the National Guard and Reserves."

Poulin said the Guard and Reserves have been indispensible building HESCO barriers, managing boats, over-flights and spotting. "This has been an all hands on deck revolution," said Poulin. "We called out for reinforcements and the Guard and Reserve answered the call."

After their visit with the Coast Guard, the employers rolled on over to Camp Shelby where some of them literally rolled over. Several of the employees got the chance to take a ride in a Humvee Egress Awareness Training (HEAT) rollover simulator. The simulator is used to train Soldiers on what to do in case of a rollover.

After the rollover training, the group enjoyed a tank demonstration, a visit to the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum and tested their marksmanship skills on the M16A1 rifle in a military weapons simulator.

It was an eye opening experience for Alabama Power Company Distribution Operations Center Manager Chris Lucassen. "I've always had a tremendous amount of respect for what our men and women in uniform do," said Lucassen, "seeing the equipment and actually putting on some of the gear has been eye opening."

Lucassen said the whole boss lift experience has been a great opportunity for him. "I think a lot of employers would benefit from this experience," said Lucassen. "I know we've only scratched the surface of what all Guardsmen and Reservists go through, but it was very informative and insightful."

A surgeon from Montgomery Eye Physicians, Tom Mitchell, said the experience was very impressive. "I have no military experience what-so-ever," said Mitchell. "It's fascinating to see how our military train. The organization and professionalism behind the training I've encountered has been very high."

Mitchell said he believes the mission of the ESGR is a healthy one. "Most employers that are faced with staff members in the Guard and Reserves don't get the chance to see and know what their employees go through during a deployment," said Mitchell. "This experience has helped me by giving me a voice to other employers who have staff in the Guard and Reserves."

ESGR members act as mediators when issues arise between Guardsmen, Reservists and their employers. Alabama ESGR Executive Director and Program Support Specialist, retired Col. John Q. Adams, says the biggest issue Guard and Reserve members face with their employers is when returning from active duty. "A lot of times Guard and Reserve members are not placed in their previous employment status and in some cases refused employment all together," said Adams.

Adams said these employer boss lifts have been extremely successful. "Employers get a better understanding as to the extreme and professional training that Guardsmen and Reservists now receive," said Adams, "and this relates directly to being a better employee upon return from active duty."

Photo 0292/0285 Tuscaloosa Veteran's Affairs employee, Stephanie Massey, takes a ride in a Humvee Egress Awareness Training (HEAT) rollover simulator at Camp Shelby, Miss., on July 28. The simulator is used to train Soldiers on what to do in case of a rollover. Massey took advantage of the simulator while on an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) boss lift.

Photo 0407 /City of Scottsboro Human Resource Director Debra Borders tests her marksmanship skills on a M16A1 rifle simulator on July 28th, at Camp Shelby, Miss. Borders, along with 17 other Alabama Guard and Reserve employers, took part in the fun during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) boss lift.

Photo 0429 / Alabama Guard and Reserve employers test their marksmanship skills on a M16A1 rifle simulator on July 28th, at Camp Shelby, Miss. The employers took part in the fun during an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) boss lift.