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CNO Signs Statement of Support for Navy's Guard, Reserve Employees

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110601-01
6/1/2011

Special CNO Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve to demonstrate the Navy's commitment to its employees who serve in National Guard and Reserve.

Joining Roughead for the ceremony were David McGinnis, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs; Ronald Young, Executive Director, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and Vice Adm. Dirk Debbink, Chief of Navy Reserve.

Before signing the Statement of Support, Roughead spoke of the vital contributions of the reserve component to current operations.

"We are really one Navy wherever you go. It's great to see the contributions that all our Sailors make as well as the contributions others make to allow our Sailors to do what they do for the Navy and the country," said Roughead.

The intent of the Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support program is to offer employers a way to publicly proclaim their support for employee service in the National Guard and Reserve. As part of the Federal government, Navy is called on by Congress to be a model employer of Guard and Reserve service members.

In signing a Statement of Support, employers and organizations pledge to:

- Fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act;

- Ensure managers and supervisors have the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve;

- Recognize and support our country's service members and their families in peace, crises and war.

McGinnis thanked the CNO for leading by example, highlighting the significance of Roughead's public acknowledgment of the Navy's support and what it means to those serving in the military's Reserve Components.

"When the leader of a company or government agency signs a Statement of Support, it sets the tone for the entire organization to not only comply with the law, but to create an environment of support and respect," McGinnis said. "When a service member knows their employer supports their service, they are more effective employees both on the job and when they serve on duty."

"I appreciate the CNO's leadership and support for our more than 700 Navy Reserve Sailors who also serve as Department of the Navy civilian employees, as well as those who serve in other components of the Guard and Reserve," said Debbink. "Those who employ these outstanding Americans also serve. With their patriotism and unwavering support, we can live up to our Navy Reserve motto: "Ready Now. Anytime, Anywhere."