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Employers experience military life during Boss Lift

Local business leaders take photographs in a C-17 Globemaster during this year’s Seven Seals Boss Lift May 5, 2015 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Employers were nominated to attend the event by their Citizen Service Member employees to help bridge the gap between their military life and civilian jobs, as well as showcase the training they go through. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robert Williard)

Employers experience military life during Boss Lift

A local businessman puts on protective equipment during this year’s Seven Seals Boss Lift May 5, 2015 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Employers were nominated to attend the event by their Citizen Service member employees to help bridge the gap between their military life and civilian jobs, as well as showcase the training they go through. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robert Williard)

Employers experience military life during Boss Lift

Local business leaders pose for a photograph during this year’s Seven Seals Boss Lift May 5, 2015 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The Seven Seals Boss Lift is an opportunity for employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists to gain an understanding of citizen-warriors, their mission, and their role in national defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robert Williard)

Employers experience military life during Boss Lift

Local business leaders learn about the mission of Marine Aircraft Group-49 during this year’s Seven Seals Boss Lift May 5, 2015 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The Boss Lift is an opportunity for employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists to gain an understanding of citizen-warriors, their mission, and their role in national defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robert Williard)

Employers experience military life during Boss Lift

Published May 20, 2015
By Lori E. Flynn
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - -- "CLEAR CONTACT," called Master Sgt. Jennifer Bowen, boom operator with the 108th Air National Guard, as the boom latched onto the receiver pilot's aircraft during a unique air-refueling mission.

The regular aircrew were not on board for this flight, which was a simulated KC-135 Extender air-refueling mission for 11 employers of Guard and Reserve service members attending the Seven Seals Boss Lift, May 5-6, here.

"I think you are going to see things and understand things about the military and what the Guard and Reserve, and full-time military do for our country," said Carol A. Beske, New Jersey Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Boss Lift coordinator. "It is going to be a unique experience for you."

Similar to air-refueling--contact and support, the Seven Seals Bosslift is an opportunity for employers of National Guardsmen and Reservists to gain an understanding of citizen-warriors, their mission, and their role in national defense.

"We want you to walk away with not only what we do here, but the importance you have as employers to support them, because we couldn't do our mission without all components of our service - active, guard and reserve, and they couldn't do it without you," said Col. Mark A. Towne, joint base deputy commander.

Employers were nominated to attend the event by their Citizen Service Member employees to help bridge the gap between their military life and civilian jobs, as well as showcase the training they go through.

In addition to the simulated air refueling mission, employers were given a tour of the installation, a military working dog demonstration, military vehicle rides and a live fire demonstration.

Although the bosses only got to see a glimpse of a military lifestyle and the joint base, the event left an impression on each of the employers, some of whom described their experience as "memorable."

"I have spent so much time with military professionals, that seeing the integrated whole, being at a joint base where you can see all the different arms of the service and what they do collectively and respectively, was really important to me," said Kathy Greenburg, a local businesswoman. "I got so much value out of it because you can feel all the different yet similar qualities to the culture of the military."

For more information on nominating an employer for ESGR events or awards, or to volunteer, go to: www.esgr.mil.