KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. – Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that Lockheed Martin recently received a 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 Award for their strong and unwavering support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.

Lockheed Martin Cybersecurity Branch supervisor Harris Norton was nominated for the Patriot Award by Sgt. Matthew Dean a joint detachment of the Joint Intelligence Operations Center, of the Air Force Reserve headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii.

In nominating Norton for the Patriot Award, Sgt. Dean stated: “Harris has been an outstanding mentor to me ever since I was hired as a subcontractor for Lockheed Martin in 2023. Harris understands the uniqueness of being a citizen airman. He aided me when it came to performing my military duty requirements and accommodating advanced scheduling to ensure Lockheed Martin security and time sheets reflected my military leave correctly. He encouraged me continue to seek a Security Plus certification when I return.”

Wes Craig, Pennsylvania Chair Emeritus and Southeast Area Chair presented the Patriot Award to Norton and commented: “It’s important 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.” Craig added: “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.”

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Craig. “I am asking all Southeast Pennsylvania employers to take a look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees.” Craig also noted that many Pennsylvania employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements under the USERRA law and offer pay-differential to offset the loss of wages, an extension of health care benefits to 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, 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 Area Chair Craig, Patriot Award recipient Norris.