JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced it recently held a highly successful Bosslift event at 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade (ECAB) at the John Murtha Johnstown–Cambria County Airport. This event hosted 35 employers from across Johnstown and surrounding communities. The day was more meaningful for employers as they were accompanied by their citizen servicemembers throughout the day’s activities.
The event was hosted by the 28th ECAB Commander, Col. Michael Girvin and Pennsylvania’s ESGR Area State Chair Marty Kuhar.
Girvin welcomed the employers and briefed them on the unit’s mission and Kuhar familiarized employers with ESGR’s structure, missions and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act.
A highlight of the event was the keynote address presented by Brig. Gen. John R. Pippy Director, Joint Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Pennsylvania National Guard. He leads the integration of strategic and joint staff issues for over 13,000 Soldiers and 4,100 Airmen of the Pennsylvania National Guard. He oversees the administration, coordination, planning, development, and execution of all Joint Staff programs that prepare the state for contingency operations in either a federal or state emergency to include man-made or natural disasters, and federal mobilizations.
Pippy provided an overview of the Guard’s mission and expressed appreciation to all employers for supporting servicemembers during unit training assemblies, military schooling, extended periods of training, and periods overseas deployments.
Maj. Justin Shedron performed the master of ceremony duties and explained the day’s events and marshalling unit personnel, flight crews, and Marine Corps Reserve participating personnel for equipment demonstrations. Employers enjoyed tours of the facility and airport control tower operated by the Pennsylvania National Guard; they also had an opportunity to examine the weapons and vehicles used by service members. The highlight of the day for both employers and unit personnel was a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flight over the Johnstown area.
At the conclusion of the event, the employers received an ESGR Certificate of Appreciation, and they signed an ESGR Statement of Support, confirming that their company joins other employers in pledging:
• We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA). • 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.
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. Photo: 28th ECAD 2024 Johnstown Bosslift participants after their UH-60 Black Hawk flight. Complete sets of photos and videos may be found at the following link: https://billburkhard.smugmug.com/2024-ESGR-Johnstown-BossLift