Statement of Support Program

The Statement of Support Program is the cornerstone of ESGR’s effort to gain and maintain employer support for the Guard and Reserve. The intent of the program is to increase employer support by encouraging employers to act as advocates for employee participation in the military. Supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the Nation’s Guard and Reserve units.

The first Statement of Support was signed December 13, 1972, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense by the Chairman of the Board of General Motors. President Richard Nixon was the first President to sign a Statement of Support, and in 2005 every Federal Cabinet Secretary and all Federal agencies signed a Statement of Support to signify their continuing efforts to be model employers. Since its inception, hundreds of thousands of employers have signed Statements of Support, pledging their support to Guard and Reserve employees.

Employers signing a statement of support pledge that:

• We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
• We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• We appreciate the values, leadership, and unique skills Service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists, and Veterans.
• We will continually recognize and support our country’s Service members and their families, in peace, in crises, and in war.

Join thousands of employers by signing a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve and display it prominently for all your employees and visitors to see.

To participate, please complete our Statement of Support form.

 To view a list of supportive employers in your state, click here.