ANNVILLE, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that its annual All–Ranks conference was held at Fort Indiantown Gap on April 13.

ESGR State Chair Marty Kuhar hosted the conference that was attended by 24 volunteer representatives from the state’s eight designated areas.

In addition to welcoming attendees, Kuhar discussed the committee’s accomplishments since last meeting last year. He then reviewed the National ESGR five-year Strategic Plan, highlighting areas in which the committee excelled and those needing additional emphasis. Kuhar thanked the Ombudsman team for their outstanding support of Guard and Reserve personnel and added that it’s an area where additional volunteers are always welcome.

While on the topic of volunteers, Kuhar acknowledged that all eight areas should aggressively recruit additional personnel to support the ESGR mission. He mentioned that some areas have experienced a net loss of volunteers and both Area Chairs and committee members should seek opportunities to recruit new personnel.

Best Practices briefings followed Kuhar’s presentation: State Chair Emeritus and Southeast Area Chair Wes Craig presented on the topic of Military Outreach and was followed by South–Central Area Chair Jim Astor who discussed methodologies for notifying and presenting employers with Patriot Awards.

State Ombudsman Director Terry Curran discussed the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act (USERRA). His presentation included slides and discussion topics that ESGR volunteers may use when briefing Guard and Reserve personnel. Curran also reviewed examples of service member initiated USERRA cases that the Ombudsman team mediated within the past year.

Area Chairs and Ombudsman Michael Jones, Northeast Area, and Reginald Green, South–Central Area, lead attendees in training sessions relating USERRA 101 and USERRA 102 courses. These sessions were comprehensive reviews and discussions relating to each question in both courses.

The full day of briefings and training also included a presentation by William Burkhard the State Public Affairs Officer (PAO) and North Central Area Chair. Burkhard reviewed the process of completing the PAO information form used to submit an announcement of Patriot Award presentation or other significant events. He also suggested how to compose photographs and image resolution requirements.

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, 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 #1: Pennsylvania ESGR State Chair Kuhar
Photo #2: Pennsylvania ESGR All–Ranks Conference attendees