CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that Schneider National recently received Patriot Awards in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with a Patriot Awards for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.

Schneider National’s Driver Team Leader Trevor Appleby and Account & Driver Manager Connor Potts were nominated for the Patriot Awards by Petty Officer Mildred Wells–Toney who is am member of the U.S. Navy Reserve’s 1229th Transportation Company located in Baltimore, Maryland.

In nominating Appleby and Potts, Petty Officer Wells–Toney stated: “My employer has always been supportive of my military status. There has never been any conflict when I requested time off for my military duties.”

Presenting the Awards on behalf of ESGR was James Astor, Pennsylvania South-Central Area Chair. Astor commented: “It’s critical and an honor to recognize and pay tribute to those employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces. It would be difficult for those in the uniformed services to perform their mission without employer support.” Astor said: “Today’s members of the Guard and Reserves are highly trained and skilled; they bring integrity, a global perspective and, proven leadership to the civilian workforce.”

Astor added: “Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all South–Central Pennsylvania employers to look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees.” Many Pennsylvania employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements by law by offering pay-differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees mobilize.

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, a global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/PA

Photo (L–R): ESGR South–Central Area Chair Astor and Patriot Award recipients Appleby and Potts.