Employers Get A Lift From Joint Event: Army and Air Guard team up to thank Bosses of Guard members

Published June 15, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Annette Kornasiewicz
180th Public Affairs

July 2009 -- The Camp Perry Joint Training Center and the 180th Fighter Wing hosted a joint employer event June 13, sponsored by the Ohio Adjutant General's Department, welcoming 19 employers of Ohio Army National Guard and Air National Guard servicemembers.

The event gave the employers the opportunity to learn about the Guard mission and experience some of the things their employees do when not at their civilian jobs. As this event occurred during a drill weekend, some Guardsmen were able to greet their employers as they toured their respective shops.

The day was also an opportunity for senior Ohio National Guard leaders to thank the employers for their day-to-day sacrifices in this global environment that relies heavily on its citizen soldiers to support worldwide missions, sometimes on very short notice.

Beginning at Camp Perry, Port Clinton, Ohio, the employers received a briefing from Maj. Gen. Matthew Kambic, assistant adjutant general for Army, who outlined the Guard's role in current operations around the globe. The employers next participated in Army engagement war skills training that included an improvised explosive device alleyway showing static displays of how the enemy may hide IEDs.

"The IED program was sobering and enlightening," said Tom Allen, president of Virtual Technologies Group.

The participants were flown to the 180th FW, where they were treated to an MRE lunch, were educated on some of the equipment in Life Support, saw a static display of an F-16 and toured the solar field. They were then flown back to Camp Perry for an Employer Support Guard and Reserve briefing.

For many employers, the day was very educational as many said they were impressed with the level of professionalism of the men and women of the Guard.

"It was very enlightening as to the level of training, education and focus that the members of the Guard have," said Dan Wakeman, President and CEO of St. Luke's Hospital in Maumee, Ohio. "To me as an employer to see that people have that kind of background is very important when I am looking at who I will want to hire and promote."

"We are thrilled that they were able to participate in the event," said Lt. Col. Cathryn L. Lowrey, Director of Community Outreach, State of Ohio, Adjutant General's Department and chief organizer of the event. "It is because of the employer support, the Ohio National Guard consistently maintains the highest levels of readiness and successfully performs our national defense and homeland security missions."

The Community Outreach plans to offer further opportunities to nominate employers in the coming months.

"Our goal is to foster long-term relationships with our employers, helping to nourish strong and resilient servicemembers Guard-wide," said Lowrey. "Today has been such a fabulous day for everyone in moving toward that goal."

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