Florida Department of Corrections supervisor "protects" community while deployed overseas

IRAQ

07.25.2006

Courtesy Story

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

by Senior Master Sgt. Darenda Rogers
ESGR Forward Team

IRAQ – U.S. Navy Reserve Petty Officer 1st. Class Terry Carlton, a correctional probation supervisor with the Florida Department of Corrections, is currently deployed to Bahrain in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the official name given to military operations from Afghanistan to the Horn of Africa in support of the Global War on Terror.

"The hardest part of this deployment has been the family separation," Carlton said. In spite of these challenges, however, Carlton said that being part of Operation Enduring Freedom helps to make 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 Bahrain, Carlton serves as an intelligence specialist for the commander, U.S. Navy Central Command, 5th Fleet. The petty officer first class has served in the military for eight years; this is his first overseas deployment.

Carlton, a 23-year employee of the Florida Department of Corrections is a correctional probation supervisor working out of Lake City, Fla. Carlton said, "My employer is very good to reservists and provides support before, during, and after deployment." He further added, "The state provides 30 days of pay for the first 30 days of deployment, then makes up the difference for the remainder of the mobilization. Leave and all other benefits accrue just as if the person was still there."

His employer made sure his mind would be on the mission before he left when they "provided phone numbers to my family to contact [them] if they had any needs." Not only that, Carlton said, "My boss's boss reassured me before I left that they want me to hurry up and get back to work because they need my leadership."

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 Carlton 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].

According to Carlton, his civilian and military careers overlap. "They are very similar – my civilian job protects the community from criminals," he said "while my military job protects the community from terrorists." He added, "The computer skills I have gained on this deployment will certainly help me to be a better employee upon my return home."

Carlton, a family man who can tout almost 23 years of marriage to his wife, Loretta, said, "I miss them and will be glad to get back to them but they understand the importance of the defense of our country." They are the proud parents of one son.

• Date Taken: 07.25.2006
• Date Posted: 07.25.2006 12:57
• Story ID: 7299
• Location: IQ