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    Massachusetts National Guardsman, BAE Systems employee deploys

    Massachusetts National Guardsman, BAE Systems employee deploys

    Courtesy Photo | Army National Guard Maj. Matthew J. Kennedy, a program manager for the Common Missile...... read more read more

    (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

    07.11.2006

    Courtesy Story

    Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

    SOUTHWEST ASIA - Army National Guard Maj. Matthew J. Kennedy is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as the battalion operations officer for the 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation. Kennedy 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, Kennedy said serving his country in support of the Global War on Terror helps make the time away easier.

    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 with the 126th, Kennedy is stationed at Otis Air Base in Massachusetts. With 16 years in the military, this is Kennedy's first overseas deployment. In his civilian occupation, the major manages the Common Missile Warning System program in Nashua, N.H., for BAE Systems, where he has worked for 1-1/2 years.

    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 Kennedy 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 (800) 336-4590.

    Kennedy, who calls Londonderry, N.H., home, is married to his wife Kerri. The couple has four children, Michael, 5, Matthew Jr., 9, Colleen, 11, and Kathleen, 13.

    ESGR

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.11.2006
    Date Posted: 07.11.2006 15:23
    Story ID: 7143
    Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

    Web Views: 118
    Downloads: 37

    PUBLIC DOMAIN