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Employers gain insight into Reserve-component capabilities

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shawn Morris
  • 99th Regional Support Command
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Nearly two-dozen civilian employers of military service members participated in the New Jersey Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's annual Seven Seals Boss Lift event May 14-15, 2014, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

The two-day event was intended to give employers a chance to learn about the military's capabilities and gain a greater appreciation of what their employees' military service entails.

"We're very glad for your support of the National Guard and Army Reserve, and all the things that you do as an employer to allow our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to be able to fulfill their Reserve responsibilities," said Maj. Gen. Margaret W. Boor, commanding general of the Army Reserve's 99th Regional Support Command and senior Army mission commander on Joint Base MDL.

Boor joined ESGR officials and Army Support Activity-Dix leaders as they escorted the employers to their first stop at the Army's driver training simulator, combat medical simulator and weapons simulator. Employers also learned about the Army National Guard and Air Force Reserve's aviation assets, the Marines' aircraft and artillery capabilities, the Navy's working dog program and the Coast Guard's Atlantic Strike Team.

The event was capped by a Statement of Support signing at the Army Reserve Mobilization Museum on base.

"Here in New Jersey last year, we had just over 1,100 employers sign a Statement of Support," explained retired Marine Col. Alan Smith, state chair, NJ ESGR.

"(The statement) carries no weight except the weight you have already demonstrated as an employer patriot," Smith continued. "You are as critical to America's defense as an employer of Guard and Reservists, who are presently 48 percent of our (nation's) ability to protect America's interests."

As citizen-Soldiers, National Guard and Army Reserve members are in the unique position of maintaining their military skills and training to be prepared when their nation calls, while also pursuing civilian careers in the private and public sectors.

"In the Army and all of our services, we are very proud of the competencies, the commitment and the character of those who serve with us," Boor said to the Boss Lift employers. "There are a lot of things our service members can bring to your organizations."