Employer awards recognize outstanding support for Reserve members Published Dec. 5, 2010 JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- One challenge of being a Citizen Airman is striking the right balance between their commitments to their family, their civilian employment and the Reserves. Having a civilian employer with military-friendly policies can go a long way toward maintaining that balance. Reservists can show their thanks by nominating their employer for a recognition award through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve awards program. The focus of the ESGR organization is to promote an understanding of the National Guard and Reserve while encouraging support of employers in the development of military-friendly human resource practices. The ESGR awards help recognize employers because they do not always get the recognition they deserve when it comes to the support they provide. The Patriot Award is the first step in saying thank you. This award recognizes an employer for support of National Guard and Reserve members. Nominees of the Patriot Award receive a Department of Defense certificate of appreciation and a patriot lapel pin. All Guard and Reserve members can nominate their employers at www.esgr.org/newforms.asp?p=patriot. The next award level is the Above and Beyond award, which is given in limited numbers by state and territory ESGR offices. This award recognizes employers who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave and providing support for their employee's military duty. Submissions can be made by individual Guard and Reserve members and go through their local ESGR contact, listed on the national ESGR local contacts page at www.esgr.org/site/Contact/StateLocalContacts.aspx. The Pro Patria Award provides the next level of recognition. This award is presented annually by each state or territory ESGR organization to one employer who has provided the most exceptional support to national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support the Guard and Reserve. Lastly, the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given to employers. The Freedom Award was created to publicly recognize employers who provide exceptional support to a Guardsman or Reservist and is presented by the Secretary of Defense annually to the nation's 15 most supportive employers. More information on the Freedom Award can be found at www.freedomaward.mil. For more information visit the New Jersey ESGR office's Website at www.njesgr.org or call 609-562-0156.