The National Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) sponsors an awards program designed to recognize employers for employment policies and practices that are supportive of their employees' participation in the National Guard and Reserve. All employer recognition and awards originate from nominations by individual Reserve component members (Click here for the "My Boss is A Patriot" Award Nomination Form on this Web site). Depending on the degree of support, the level of recognition rises to the "Employer Support Freedom Award," given by the Secretary of Defense. Employer awards include:

"My Boss is a Patriot" (MBIAP) Certificate of Appreciation. ESGR awards this certificate and a Patriot lapel pin on behalf of the Department of Defense. All members of the National Guard and Reserve forces are eligible to nominate their employers for the "My Boss is a Patriot" certificate. This employer recognition is the most frequently presented. A certificate will be given to all employers that are nominated. This nomination is subsequently used by the local ESGR Committee as the basis for consideration to receive higher level awards.

Local ESGR Committee Chair's Award. This award is given in limited numbers and presented annually by each ESGR Committee. It is designed to recognize those employers who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements for granting leave for military duty.

PRO PATRIA Award. It is presented to those employers who demonstrate exceptional support for our national defense by adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate in the National Guard and Reserve. Each committee may give only one PRO PATRIA annually.

Employer Support Freedom Award. This award, ESGR's most prestigious, is presented annually to an employer by the Secretary of Defense. It recognizes unique support to National Guard and Reserve employees. The nation's most supportive employer receives the award at a Pentagon ceremony. The Secretary also recognizes four other regional nominees with an award.

Employers qualify for recognition when they practice personnel policies that support employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve.

How do you nominate your employer?

The easiest way to nominate your employer is to use the On-Line  "Award Your Employer" nomination form on this Web site (Click here to nominate your Employer On-Line). By pressing the "submit" option at the bottom, your nomination arrives at NJESGR Awards Office within moments. If you wish, you can print a copy of the nomination for record. 

Copies of the nomination form can also be obtained from your local NJESGR Committee (609) 562-0156, (609) 562-0157, (609) 562-0155 or the National ESGR Headquarters toll-free number, (800) 336-4590. 

Look for applications in the publications you receive from military professional associations. The military associations are fully aware of the vital importance of employer and community support for the National Guard and Reserve. They periodically print ESGR Award applications to encourage participation in the ESGR Awards program by their members.

An e-mail to the National Committee Awards Program manager (rkrenke@ra.osd.mil), a fax (703-696-1411) or a traditional letter (National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, 1555 Wilson Blvd, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22209-2405) are all fine. If you choose not to use one of the ESGR forms, please follow one as a guide so you don't leave out necessary information.

However you make your nomination, remember that it makes your employer eligible for the higher level awards. A little extra effort to provide details will help us to recognize and properly award the most outstanding employers.

What happens after you submit your nomination? Your nomination is processed within 30-45 days after receipt. The certificate of appreciation is forwarded to the unit commander in a presentation folder. The commander also receives detailed information on various methods of presentation of the certificate to your employer. If you have a suggestion as to how you would like it presented, you may want to coordinate with your commander. If you want to follow your nomination through the process of higher level consideration, contact your local NJESGR Committee.

What should you do if your employer's certificate doesn't arrive on time? During 1999, ESGR processed more than 10,600 awards. Occasionally, a nomination gets "lost" in the process. If your employer's certificate doesn't arrive after 45 days, please contact either your State or National ESGR Headquarters and we will expedite the process.