Michigan Reserve soldier, postal employee deploys to Southwest Asia

Courtesy Photo | Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Darrell Spearman, a maintenance mechanic for the U.S. Postal Service in Detroit, is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as an assistant noncommissioned officer in charge of military pay with the Wisconsin-based 376th Finance Battalion, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

06.20.2006

Courtesy Story

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

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Darrell Spearman is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as an assistant noncommissioned officer in charge of military pay with the Wisconsin-based 376th Finance Battalion.

Spearman 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, Spearman said "assisting servicemembers with pay problems" has helped make his time away more personally rewarding.

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 of 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, Spearman is a UH-60 helicopter repairer with the 460th Area Support Group in Southfield, Mich. In this role, he ensures that the aircraft, also known as "Black Hawks," remain safe and ready to fly for various essential military missions. With 25 years in the military, this is Spearman's second deployment overseas. In his civilian occupation, the staff sergeant is a maintenance mechanic in Detroit for the U.S. Postal Service, where he has worked for 20 years. In this role, he fixes mail processing equipment and other postal machines.

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 Spearman 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 continued support of his civilian employer is a key factor that allows Spearman to focus on the mission at hand. He commented, "The post office allows me to continue on with my entitlements, even while deployed."

Spearman, who calls Detroit home, is the son of Lillie Mae Spearman of Highland Park, Mich.

ESGR USAR

• Date Taken: 06.20.2006
• Date Posted: 06.20.2006 13:44
• Story ID: 6889
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)