Kansas Reserve soldier, DMPO employee deploys to Southwest Asia

Courtesy Photo | Army Reserve Sgt. Wayne C. Ford, a military pay technician for the Defense Military Pay Office at Fort Riley, Kan., is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as a finance NCO for the Wisconsin-based 376th Finance Battalion, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.24.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class David McCrary, ESGR FWD Team
Story by Spc. Jennifer Sardam, ESGR FWD Team

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Army Reserve Sgt. Wayne C. Ford is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as a finance noncommissioned officer for the Wisconsin-based 376th Finance Battalion. Ford is serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 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, Ford said knowing he is "able to make a difference and help [deployed] soldiers with a pay problem or situation" eases the distance.

Active duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are deployed under the U.S. Central Command to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. The unified command USCENTCOM is 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.

When he is stateside, Ford is a finance NCO for the 4204th U.S. Army Hospital in Topeka, Kan. With eight years in the military, this is Ford's first deployment as a Reserve soldier. In his civilian occupation, the sergeant is a military pay technician at Fort Riley, Kan., for the Defense Military Pay Office, where he has worked for one and a half years. In this role, he performs data entry of military pay codes and researches military pay questions for soldiers.

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 Ford 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].

The Reserve soldier mentioned a key factor that allows him peace of mind while serving his country is the support of his employer, especially his supervisor Pat Elliot. Ford remarked that while he is here, he "can always call her with questions on [his] benefits to keep them going."

Ford, who calls Junction City, Kan., home, has been married to his wife Sarida for four years.

ESGR, USAR

• Date Taken: 05.24.2006
• Date Posted: 05.24.2006 10:23
• Story ID: 6506
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)