Mich. Reserve soldier, Ricardo, Inc. employee deploys to OIF in Southwest Asia

Photo By Sgt. Jennifer Sardam | Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Barry M. Bates, a senior dynamometer technician for Van Buren Township, Mich.'s Ricardo, Inc.'s Detroit Technical Center, is currently deployed to Southwest Asia in support of the Global War on Terror. Bates is mobilized with the Wausau Wis.-based 376th Finance Battalion.  

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05.24.2006

Courtesy Story

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Story by Spc. Jennifer Sardam, ESGR FWD Team

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Barry M. Bates is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as a finance pay manager with the Wausau, Wis.-based 376th Finance Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). OIF is the official name given to military operations assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

Despite the challenges of being far from home and family, Bates said 'serving my country" makes the deployment meaningful to him and that "working so many hours makes the days go by quickly."

Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are deployed under the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. USCENTCOM is the unified command responsible for U.S. security interests and assets in 27 nations stretching from the Horn of Africa, through the Arabian Gulf region, and into Central Asia.

At his home unit, the 323rd Combat Support Hospital in Southfield, Mich., Bates serves as a food service dietitian. With 19 years in the military, this is the noncommissioned officer's first deployment as a reservist. In his civilian occupation, Bates is a senior dynamometer technician in Van Buren Township for Ricardo, Inc.'s Detroit Technical Center, where he has worked for six years. He described his job as that of a 'test technician for prototype engine testing."

Today, more than 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. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is the primary resource for information about the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA. This federal law allows Bates and other mobilized reserve component members to retain their rights, when the deployment concludes.

Established in 1972, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a DoD agency, provides free USERRA education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. 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. 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].

Bates commented that his employer still supports him with benefits like making up the difference in pay between his civilian job and his deployed military position, continuing to contribute their part to his 401K, remaining in contact with his family at home, and continuing to provide him health insurance benefits.

"I have never worked for a company that to me has shown more patriotism than Ricardo, Inc. and its president in the States, Jeremy Holt," remarked Bates. "[The company] is a great asset to my family and me and a true patriotic employer that supports its members of the armed forces."

Although Bates said he looks forward to returning to work, he added that "mostly I look forward to returning to my wife and kids."

Bates, who calls Garden City, Mich., his home, has been married to wife Andrea for 15 years. The couple has two children, Kyle, 19, and Jessica, 10.

ESGR, USAR

• Date Taken: 05.24.2006
• Date Posted: 05.24.2006 10:15
• Story ID: 6503
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)