U.S. Army reservist adds skills to complement civilian work upon return from OIF

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army reservist, Staff Sgt. Anndrea Maple, enjoys her dual role as Noncommissioned Officer In Charge of the Media Engagement Team and NCOIC of the Digital Video Imagery Distribution System within the United States Central Command in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

QATAR

02.07.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

By SMSgt Darenda Rogers
CENTCOM Public Affairs/ESGR Forward Team

QATAR " U.S. Army reservist, SSgt. Anndrea Maple, joined the military "looking for an opportunity to challenge myself and learn more about what my strengths and weaknesses are." She embraces that goal while gaining additional skills with Public Affairs (PA) in her dual role as Noncommissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC) of the Media Engagement Team and NCOIC of the Digital Video Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS) within the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Skills gained in these roles will follow her when she returns to her civilian employer, Washington State Department of Transportation Public Affairs Office.

Maple's employer "has given me a feeling of security that they would do their best to rehire me upon my return. They did not discriminate against my military commitment; they saw it as an asset to the Washington State Department of Transportation Public Affairs Office team." As she clearly states, "The skills you learn being deployed in this job are irreplaceable. You can't find the hands-on experiences I've had in the military in any technical school at all. If you can do PA in a combat zone, you can do PA anywhere in Cozy town, USA. Since my civilian job is also PA, everything overlaps."

"I was looking for opportunities to travel." SSgt Maple said when asked why she joined the military. Thus far in this deployment, she has visited four countries: Qatar, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan, all areas within USCENTCOM.

USCENTCOM, located at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla., is the unified command responsible for U.S. security interests in 27 nations that stretch from the Horn of Africa (HOA) through the Arabian Gulf region, into Central Asia. USCENTCOM is one of nine unified commands in the Department of Defense (DOD).

Central Command's mission includes enhancing regional stability and demonstrating a steadfast commitment to regional security. CENTCOM is also responsible for executing the Global War on Terror in its assigned area of responsibility (AOR), which includes Iraq, Afghanistan and HOA. Other important USCENTCOM activities include humanitarian and security assistance programs, as well as combined training and education opportunities for military members in AOR nations.

OIF began with the liberation of Iraq in 2003, and has resulted in two democratic elections, a constitutional referendum and the development of a professional Iraqi security force. In partnership with the Iraqi government, the coalition forces are helping the Iraqi people defeat terrorists and build an inclusive democratic state. The coalition forces, to include the Iraqi army, are conducting full-spectrum counter-insurgency operations to isolate and neutralize the former regime extremists and foreign terrorists. Coalition forces organize, train and equip Iraqi security forces, in order to create a secure environment that allows the reconstruction process to continue.

Maple, one of 4 children - 3 of whom are deployed, reminds us "when you're away from home for awhile and you have this whole separate reality, you lose that connection with home especially when you're so busy and so focused on the mission. I sometimes have to remind myself to call my parents. Their letters, emails, and care packages help reconnect me to my hometown and my life as it existed before." Her employer sends "emails all the time asking how I'm doing and if I need anything" which helps her to remain connected there as well.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA, allow Maple and other mobilized military members to retain their rights to return to their civilian jobs following a deployment. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a DOD agency established in 1972, operates the mission to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.

As the 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the information agency for the employers of America's new Minutemen. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at [phone].

usar

• Date Taken: 02.07.2006
• Date Posted: 02.24.2006 13:47
• Story ID: 5499
• Location: QA