Photo By 1st Sgt. Mark Hanson | Over 30 employers from Kansas and Missouri arrived at Ft. Hood, Tx., on May 17 to...... read more read more
Over 30 employers from Kansas and Missouri traveled to Fort Hood, Texas, May 17 to visit with their respective employees as part of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve "Boss Lift." The Boss Lift is an event that recognizes civilian employers of Soldiers and Airmen and gives them an opportunity to see what their service members do in preparation for mobilizations.
“What was truly unique and inspiring about this particular boss lift was the collaborative efforts,” said Michelle Carlson, Missouri ESGR employer outreach director. “You had our ESGR tristate (Kansas, Missouri and Texas) volunteer teams, the 35th Infantry Division leadership and the 139th Air Wing in St. Joseph, Mo., all working to make this happen.”
In the months leading up to the Boss Lift, both Missouri and Kansas ESGR volunteers attended regular drill weekends with the 35th Inf. Div. staff where employers were nominated for the event by their citizen soldiers. From initial selections, phone calls were made to nominated employers checking both interest and availability.
“It was a total surprise to me,” said Robin Jones, and I.T. professional for the University of Missouri Health Care System. “I received an email and at first I had no idea what it was.”
Jones then spoke to her employee, Col. Dan Crouch, who had submitted her name for the Boss Lift.
“When I approached her with the idea of the boss lift she readily accepted,” said Col. Dan Crouch, information assurance officer for the 35th Inf. Div. “I felt this was an excellent opportunity to showcase what we do as Soldiers to a boss and company who supports their soldiers.”
“Once he explained what all it entailed, it was pure elation,” continued Robin. “I was just hoping that I would make the cut."
Final selections were made and employers ranging from first line supervisor up through vice presidents and CEOs were invited on the full-day tour.
“This was a team effort from the beginning,” said Col. Chris Mickan, 35th Inf. Div. rear chief of staff. “There were a lot of moving pieces and I think this event brought the Kansas and Missouri ESGR teams even closer.”
Part of the logistical preparation and planning required collaboration in conjunction with the Texas ESGR.
“I helped work some of the logistics here from Texas,” said Don Rivers, chairman for the Killeen area ESGR. “I made sure the Kansas and Missouri reps got in touch with the right people in order to get folks transported once on ground.”
Other logistics that had to be handled by the collaborative team included; meals, briefings, area tours and a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter ride.
“It has been a joy to see the cooperation occurring between volunteers of all the different ESGR committees to rise up and make these meaningful and supporting events happen,” said Don Koonce, Missouri ESGR vice chair.
Employers traveled from St. Joseph, Mo., on-board a C-130 Hercules aircraft flown by the 139th Airlift Wing. The "bosses" were then greeted by 35th Inf. Div. senior staff, taken on a multiple tours of the training areas and given an opportunity to meet and have lunch with their respective employees.
“We heard nothing but positive feedback from employers,” said Koonce. “I believe each and every one of them, based on observation and listening, now better understands their role and the importance of it in our national defense strategy.”
“It's absolutely amazing, and I have nothing but respect for our military service members,” said Jones. “I have children who serve as well, but to see what he [Dan] does for everybody down here is just amazing and I can't wait to take it back and share it with the rest of his colleagues and friends back in Columbia.”
“When they understand our requirements, we create ambassadors for the Guard to help communicate and tell our story back to their communities,” said Mickan.
The ESGR will continue to coordinate with the 35th on other various communication efforts including social media support and some key events throughout the following year. This will include celebration of the 100 year anniversary of the 35th Inf. Div. on August 5.
“The 35th ID cares about what happens at home in regards to both families and employment,” said Koonce. “The Missouri and Kansas ESGR will be here working with the division to support the home front in all areas within our mission and with what resources we can bring to the table.”
| Date Taken: | 05.17.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 06.02.2017 16:03 |
| Story ID: | 236198 |
| Location: | KS, US |
| Web Views: | 176 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Tri-state ESGR volunteers unite to conduct boss-lift, by 1SG Mark Hanson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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