Postal employee trains medics in Southwest Asia

Courtesy Photo | Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels pauses during visit to Iraq to chat with Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Leszcynski of the 738th Area Support Medical Company currently deployed there.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

07.11.2006

Courtesy Story

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

SOUTHWEST ASIA " U.S. Army Indiana National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Kevin J. Leszcynski is currently deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the official name given to military operations assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, 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.

According to Leszcynski, being away from his family has been quite difficult. In spite of these challenges, however, Leszcynski said that being part of Operation Iraqi Freedom makes up for any hardships that he may encounter.

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. U.S. Central Command 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.

In Southwest Asia, Leszcynski serves as a member of the 738th Area Support Medical Company. In this role, he works with military transition teams training Iraqi Army medics and serves as noncommissioned officer in charge of three clinics supported by the 738th ASMC.

Leszcynski has served in the military for 20 years; this is his first deployment overseas. In his civilian occupation, Leszcynski is a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service delivering mail to over 600 customers. According to Leszcynski, his employer "is very flexible when it comes to my time with the National Guard" for which he is especially grateful.

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 Leszcynski 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].

Although Leszcynski looks forward to returning to a job he enjoys with a supportive employer, his appreciation of family is evident. "I think my wife is doing an awesome job dealing with all the day-to-day issues," he affirmed. "She is the real hero in all of this!"

Leszcynski, who calls Logansport, Ind. his home is married to Molly and has six children: Tiffany, Jacob, and Jordan " 18; Madison " 15; Joshua " 8; and Maggie " 5.

ESGR

• Date Taken: 07.11.2006
• Date Posted: 07.11.2006 16:02
• Story ID: 7152
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)