Civilian employers of members of the Utah National Guard and Reserve traveled to Fort Hood, Texas, February 28-29, to meet and observe first-hand their Soldier-Employees technical training, leadership development, and team building skills that they receive as members of the Guard and Reserve.
This 'Boss Lift,' sponsored by the Utah Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), is part of the national ESGR program that gives civilian employers of Guard members an up-close look at what their employees are going through as they prepare to deploy.
There were 34 employers from local Utah businesses and government agencies that boarded a Utah Air National Guard KC-135 Air-to-Air Refueling Tanker bound for Fort Hood, Texas. While enroute to Fort Hood, the employers had the opportunity to observe the refueling operation of a B52 Bomber.
Bill Smith, Chief of Ammunition Logistics Support, Maintenance, and Demil Division, Ammunition Operations Directorate, Tooele Army Depot, received an invitation for this year's ESGR 2012. His employee, Specialist Michelle Heston, has been deployed for approximately seven months with the 1st Battalion 211th Aviation unit for training. She will return to her normal position of Office Automation Clerk within the Directorate of Ammunition Operations, approximately March 2013, after her overseas deployment.
"It was a good experience for me and I'm glad I had the opportunity to observe Michelle's unit participate in live fire exercise and hot refueling and rearming of the Apache Helicopter," said Smith.
"I am very appreciative of the support I have received from not only my supervisor, Bill, but the entire management at the depot. It has made my deployment a little easier knowing that I will have a job to return to," said Heston.
Upon returning from the field where the bosses and their soldiers observed the exercise, they all enjoyed a military dinner of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE). Many bosses delivered care packages from home and spent some time with their Soldiers before they had to return to duty.
By the end of the trip, bosses saw their Soldier-Employees a little differently knowing how they support the war on terrorism and the personal sacrifices they have made.
Social Sharing