Fort Buchanan, PR- Several dozens of local employers gathered at this military installation during the most recent "Lunch with the Boss" event, hosted by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and the 1st Mission Support Command, US Army Reserve-Puerto Rico, Sept. 5.
During the event, Brig. Gen. Fernando Fernandez, senior Army Reserve officer in the Caribbean region, participated as key note speaker.
"You are also part of our Family because you support your employees, who are members of the Army Reserve. My goal here is to make sure you understand that the mission they do is important for our nation. I can assure you that if you allow your employees to participate in the Army Reserve, you will never regret it because they bring a lot to your organizations," said Fernandez during his presentation to the local employers.
Representatives of Suiza Dairy, Sam's Club and Office Max were among the local participating employers.
"Having this opportunity to know a little bit more about what our employees do in the military, makes us really understand and value better the work that they do outside our stores," said Natalia Reyes Rivera, Human Resources Manager for Sam's Club in Bayamon.
During the event, the employers not only had the opportunity to meet the military leaders of the US Army Reserve in Puerto Rico, but also to know more about the significance of the service provided by their employees, who also belong to the largest US Army Reserve command in the Caribbean region.
"For the first time we can see and perceive what our Soldiers feel and how proud they are of serving the nation. This experience definitively helps us to be more receptive when our employees ask for time off to serve in the Reserves. This event makes us assume a different perspective with our employees," added Elsie Cruzado Negron, Human Resources Specialist at Suiza Dairy, one of the main dairy products producer and distributors in the island.
The ESGR committee presented the organization's Meritorious Medal Award to Suiza Dairy for meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the members of the US Army Reserve.
The ESGR also presented the Above and Beyond Award to Sam's Club and Office Max, in recognition to their undivided support to the Army Reserve troops.
The Army Reserve-Puerto Rico has approximately 5,000 Soldiers in its ranks and depends heavily on the support of the civilian employers of their troops to maintain their readiness level.
ESGR is a Department of Defense office, established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.
For more information about the ESGR program visit http://www.esgr.mil/
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