Employer's Marketing Coordinator puts her writing skills to the test in Qatar

Courtesy Photo | Spc. Jennifer Sardam, Rocky Mountain Oil Field Testing Center's Marketing Coordinator when not in uniform, is currently stationed in Qatar, as a print journalist with the U.S. Central Command's Public Affairs Office.  

DOHA, QATAR

02.15.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

By SMSgt. Darenda Rogers
CENTCOM Public Affairs/ESGR

DOHA, Qatar - The Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center's marketing coordinator deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) under the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) during the latter part of January.

Spc. Jennifer Sardam, a print journalist with the 111th Press Camp Headquarters, Detachment 1, out of Laramie, Wyo., currently works with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Forward Team and Central Command (CENTCOM) Public Affairs Office in Qatar.

Her responsibilities include interviewing service members, writing articles and photographing Reserve and Guard members from all the military services supporting the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR).

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

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 Terrorism in its assigned AOR, which includes Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. Other important USCENTCOM activities include humanitarian and security assistance programs, as well as combined training and education opportunities for military members in AOR nations.

"I'm glad I had the opportunity to work under CENTCOM to support the worldwide mission," said Sardam.

Sardam had two primary reasons for choosing a military career " education and travel. "At first, I wanted to go to college, and it afforded me the opportunity to use the G.I. Bill," she noted. "I also wanted to travel." She has experienced both of those benefits by earning about 50 academic credit hours at sundry colleges across the country and serving in various deployments.

She began her travels with a deployment to Germany from 1999 to 2000, and then again to Louisiana from October to November 2005 to provide support in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

"Had I not gained public affairs experience in the Army, I may not have embarked on a career in marketing." said Sardam. Her position as a marketing coordinator with the Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center clearly reflects this truth. "I will return to my employer with more expertise than when I left."

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly referred to as USERRA, allows Sardam and other mobilized military members to retain their rights to return to their employers following a deployment. The mission of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is 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].

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• Date Taken: 02.15.2006
• Date Posted: 02.24.2006 13:59
• Story ID: 5500
• Location: DOHA, QA