New Jersey AF Reserve unit thanks NYPD for its support

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Donna T. Jeffries
  • 514th Air Moblity Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  "Thank you for your service," is a homage that today's service member is accustomed to hearing. Recently a few Reserve members from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., flipped the coin and returned the honor.

Mid-December, 12 members of the 514th Air Mobility Wing spent the day at One Police Plaza visiting various areas within Headquarters, New York City Police Department.

Under escort by Detective Carlos Cruz of the Police Commission Liaison Unit, 514th AMW leadership took the opportunity to thank the supervisors and commanding officers of some of its Reserve member's civilian employers.

Col. Michael J. Underkofler, vice commander, 514 AMW gave insight to the importance of employer visits.

"It's important to thank employers for being a vital part of the three-legged stool that we (Reservists) call the triad which is made up of our families, the Reserve and civilian employers," said Colonel Underkofler.

It was not only important to thank the NYPD for allowing its employees time to serve the nation, but also important to thank the department for its process of quickly reintegrating the returning Reservist back into the NYPD workforce after they completed their military duty he added.

The Reserve member gains many benefits when both employers get the opportunity to learn about the other's process and needs.

"It was an honor to have both my worlds meet and see my civilian and military bosses getting to know each other," said Staff Sgt. Raul Rodriguez, chaplain assistant, 514 AMW. "Each employer also felt the same way about my (high level of) productivity," he said.

In his civilian job, Sergeant Rodriguez is Detective Rodriguez serving as a peer counselor for the NYPD.

Another highlight of the day included meeting NYPD Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and presenting him with a certificate of excellence for his support of the Air Force Reserve.

The commissioner was presented with the Burlington County Military Affairs Committee coin by BMAC executive committee member and 514 AMW Honorary Commander, Lisa Post, as well as being made an honorary recruiter by Senior Master Sgt. Alexander Brown, senior recruiter, 514 AMW.

Commissioner Kelly, in-turn, thanked the group and pledged his continued support of the military and his support of the police officers in his employ who put on yet another uniform to serve their country.

NYPD employs more than 260 Air Force Guard and Reserve members said staffers from the Extended Military Leave Desk. Fifty of those police officers are Reserve members assigned to the 514 AMW. Staff members are responsible for processing the personnel paperwork for the police officers who are performing military duty.

Other key areas visited included the Commanding Officer of Personnel Bureau, Chief Thomas V. Dale and Commanding Officer for Personnel Order Section, Deputy Inspector Ellen Chang.

"Our country is built on your service," said Inspector Chang as she too, thanked the group for its visit.

The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense organization designed to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers, has several programs that Reserve and Guard members can use to recognize their employers. For more information about ESGR programs visit www.esgr.mil.