NUWC Division Newport supervisor receives Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Service Member Patriot Award

Photo By David Stoehr | Lara Yaroszewski (front row, from left), head, of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport's Combat Systems Integration and Test Branch, received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Service Member Patriot Award during a ceremony held on Oct. 18 at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport. Charles Plungis III (front row, right) nominated her for the award. The ceremony was also attended by co-workers Jeremy Russell (back row, from left), Marie Bussiere, department head, Paul Bancroft, Esther Thatcher and Michael Kalisz.  

NEWPORT, RI, UNITED STATES

11.19.2018

Story by Evan Crawley 

Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport

NEWPORT, R.I. — Lara Yaroszewski, head of Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport’s Combat Systems Integration and Test Branch, received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Service Member Patriot Award during a ceremony held on Oct. 18 in Newport. The award was presented by Robert Nula of ESGR’s Rhode Island Office.

Yaroszewski, a resident of Westport, Massachusetts, was nominated by Charles Plungis III, a Portsmouth, Rhode Island, resident who works in her branch. In his nomination, Plungis noted Yaroszewski’s exceptional support of his Reserve status.

To recognize employers who support their National Guard and Reserve employees, ESGR grants a series of Department of Defense awards. Employers qualify for recognition when they practice leadership and personnel policies that support employee participation in the Guard and Reserves.

Patriot Awards are presented to individual supervisors, not the organization as a whole, to reflect efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed.

In his nomination, Plungis said that Yaroszewski approves his required time off and ensures all pay and benefits are maintained per government policies. She also assists with the transition of duties to other personnel during periods of his absence and upon his return.

“She values my active duty and Reserve experience as a force multiplier to improve our product (a submarine combat system), as well as to improve training for civilian team members,” Plungis said.

The award citation, signed by Capt. Juliet Perkins, ESGR executive director, and Craig R. McKinley, national chairman, reads: “The Office of the Secretary of Defense, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, recognizes Lara Yaroszewski, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, as a patriotic employer for contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve force.”

NUWC Division Newport, part of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), is one of two divisions of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center. NUWC Division Newport’s mission is to provide research, development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, undersea offensive and defensive weapons systems, and countermeasures. NUWC’s other division is located in Keyport, Washington.

• Date Taken: 11.19.2018
• Date Posted: 11.19.2018 10:34
• Story ID: 300472
• Location: NEWPORT, RI, US