Board of Education bridges mobilized Guard soldier's military pay gap

Courtesy Photo | QATAR - Master Sgt. Virginia A.E. Thomas doesn't have to wonder if the Birmingham Board of Education -- Davis Center supports her. Thomas is entering her 13th year with this employer so they understand her commitment to serving her country. This is her second deployment overseas. The first was in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.  

QATAR

03.17.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Story by SMSgt Darenda Rogers
USCENTCOM FWD Public Affairs/ESGR Forward Team

QATAR - Master Sgt. Virginia A.E. Thomas doesn't have to wonder if the Birmingham Board of Education " Davis Center supports her. "They're supplementing my income because I was losing so much money on active duty," she said. "I'm so thankful to John Lewis who spearheaded that [process]," she declared.

Thomas is entering her 13th year with this employer so they understand her commitment to serving her country.

This is her second deployment overseas. The first was in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

Her husband, Shannon, also a soldier for the past 21 years, keeps the home fires burning as he cares for three of the four children, as well as her mother, grandmother, and uncle who still live in their home.

She is grateful for an employer who cares so much. "My employer has taken the stress of the financial burden off of my shoulders by supplementing my income, which is critical since my extended family - mom, grandmom, and uncle " depend on me for their care."

She continues taking care of folks overseas just like she does at home " with her bright smile, can-do approach and positive attitude. According to Thomas, "Although I could have become an officer, I chose to remain an enlisted member because I wanted to directly mentor the junior enlisted troops."

Assigned to the 721st Adjutant General Postal Company, Thomas is in charge of the entire postal finance and operations center. She oversees the personnel assigned to Qatar to "ensure clients are provided good professional service and that mail goes out on a daily basis, which is critical because it impacts the morale of the troops."

Troops supported by the 721st are assigned to both Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The military command responsible for managing OEF and OIF is the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM).

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 (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 (CENTCOM) 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.

"I joined the military because I always wanted to join the military," she reflected. After I graduated from college and taught for four years, I enlisted."

She has been able to successfully merge two of her dreams into her life " civilian employment and military service.

While Thomas is serving in the CENTCOM arena, her office stands by her side. "My coworkers, Carol Lewis, Ginger Hamilton, Lucy Silva, Deidre Murray, Craig Funderburg, and Francis White send me emails and care packages regularly," she acknowledged.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA, allow Thomas and other mobilized members to retain their rights to return to their civilian jobs following a deployment. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of 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].

• Date Taken: 03.17.2006
• Date Posted: 03.17.2006 11:08
• Story ID: 5769
• Location: QA