For Immediate Release
Date: March 26, 2025 Contact: Eric Ritter, ESGR Public Affairs
OSD.ESGR-PA@mail.mil
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Announces 2025 Freedom Award Finalists
WASHINGTON – Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) proudly announces the 30 finalists for the 2025 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The finalists include small and large private and public sector employers nominated by a National Guard or Reserve Component employee employed in their organization.
ESGR received 1,626 nominations for this prestigious award for employers throughout the 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and District of Columbia.
"As ESGR National Chair, I am excited to publicly recognize the 30 exceptional employers who have been selected as semi-finalist nominations of the 2025 ESGR Freedom Award. ESGR's mission is to foster a strong relationship between National Guardsmen or Reservists and their employers,” said John Sampa, ESGR’s National Chair. “These Guardsmen and Reservists make significant sacrifices by serving in their respective military branches while also maintaining their civilian careers. It is with great honor that I congratulate these 30 outstanding employers who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements to support their employees serving in the National Guard and Reserves, contributing to our nation's security."
The Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the Department of Defense to employers for their exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve members. The Freedom Award began in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR to recognize exceptional employer support, with only 370 honorees to date. For more information about the Freedom Award, visit www.FreedomAward.mil.
The Department of Defense will announce the 15 employers selected to receive the 2025 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award early this summer. The awards will be presented within the geographical area of the nominated businesses in August.
Here are this year’s Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award finalists:
Boston Consulting Group
Cooper University Healthcare
Cox Enterprises, Inc.
GE Aerospace
GM Financial
Honeywell Technologies Corporation (Aero)
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory
Marathon Petroleum
GuideWell
Air Aviation
Art C. Klein Construction
Boyd Jones
Brittenum Construction
Citizens Bank Edmond
Doyon Utilities
Graham Construction
MI Technical Solutions
Pacific Engineering Group & Services, LLC
Law Office of John R. Ramos
Anchorage Fire Department
City of Sioux Center
Coppell Independent School District
Hendersonville Police Department
Metropolitan Airports Commission
Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center
Moraine Park Technical College
New Mexico Military Institute
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Sahuarita Police Department
About ESGR
ESGR is a Department of Defense office that develops and promotes supportive work environments for Service members in the Reserve Components through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. It also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers. To learn more about ESGR visit www.ESGR.mil.
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