Educating employers on service members’ duties

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve members, led by volunteer Joann Aquino, fifth left, join members of the House of Representatives for a group photo after receiving a House resolution honoring their contribution to the community last Tuesday at the House chamber on Capital Hill. (JON PEREZ)

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and the Guam-CNMI State Committee in the CNMI have been key to educating employers about the duties and responsibilities of their workers who are also service members.

That special role of ESGR and the committee were honored Tuesday at the House of Representatives with House Resolution 20-40 that also praised employers who have service members in their workforce.

ESGR volunteer Joann Aquino, S/Sgt. Philip Aldan, S/Sgt. Kelby Benavente Royal, and Sgt. John Magofna received the especially made plaque of H.R. 20-40 that was introduced by Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan).

Aquino thanked the House members for recognizing their efforts through H.R. 20-40 with the awarding being postponed twice due to bad weather. “We appreciate this. And we want to thank all the employers who continue to support the wonderful men and women who serve on the Guard Reserve and other branches of reservists.”

Demapan said the ESGR has ensured that employers in the CNMI support their workers who are reservists when the call of duty comes. “This is either for drill, annual training, or actual deployment. They [ESGR] make sure that there’s support from employers when the call of duty comes.”

“We’re happy to have an organization like the ESGR and that they aere able to educate and provide awareness to employers to ensure that when our service members respond to the call of duty, they come back home to the jobs that they left behind.”

H.R. 20-40 also recognizes ESGR’s contributions to the community and the service members’ sacrifices. “We recognize the service members for their duty, honor, and for their response to the call to serve the nation in the name of homeland security. And for contribution you make when you come back home to your respective jobs.”

H.R. 20-40 recognizes the service and commitment shown by the ESGR and the committee’s volunteer members in helping the men and women who are called to serve.

The ESGR, a program under the Department of Defense that started in 1972, was established in order to promote cooperation between reserve component service members and their civilian employers.

The ESGR also assists in educating employers in resolving conflicts that may arise from the military commitment by an employee.