Photo By Sgt. Jennifer Sardam | U.S. Army reservist Sgt. 1st Class Shama Y. Parker, a Conyers, Ga., native, is...... read more read more
By Spc. Jennifer Sardam
CENTCOM Public Affairs/ESGR Forward Team
QATAR -- U.S. Army reservist Sgt. 1st Class Shama Y. Parker spent three years as a flight attendant for U.S. Airways. Now her feet are closer to the ground and combat-boot-clad in Qatar to support Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Parker, who calls Conyers, Ga., home, is in the 982nd Signal Company in Atlanta, the only unit in the Army Reserve designated for those who hold the combat documentation/production specialist military occupational specialty. This is Parker's fourth deployment as a reservist. In addition to her current duty station, she was deployed to Bosnia in 1995, Kosovo in 2001, and Iraq in 2003.
Parker said she has been fortunate with her civilian employers, regarding her current and previous mobilizations. During her first deployment, she worked for AT&T. "They saw me through a lot of military operations," said Parker.
Her current civilian employer, U.S. Airways, has been equally supportive of her time away from the company.
Parker said U.S. Airways publicly recognizes her military service and the contributions of other deployed company employees by adding their photographs along with yellow ribbons to a large company board and sending letters to the family members of the deployed flight attendants and pilots. "They still treat me as an employee," she said, adding that they keep her in touch with the company through mailings and newsletters and send letters to her mom.
Parker is currently the Public Affairs Office (PAO) Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) for U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Forward Headquarters in Qatar. As the PAO NCOIC, she regularly coordinates high-level media visits, conducts day-to-day operations, and manages personnel.
USCENTCOM, located at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla., is the unified command responsible for U.S. security interests in 27 nations that stretch from the Horn of Africa (HOA) through the Arabian Gulf region, into Central Asia. USCENTCOM is one of nine unified commands in the Department of Defense (DOD).
Central Command's mission includes enhancing regional stability and demonstrating a steadfast commitment to regional security. CENTCOM is also responsible for executing the Global War on Terror in its assigned area of responsibility (AOR), which includes Iraq, Afghanistan and HOA. Other important USCENTCOM activities include humanitarian and security assistance programs, as well as combined training and education opportunities for military members in AOR nations.
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA, allows Parker and other mobilized military members to retain their rights to return to their civilian jobs following a deployment. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. 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. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.
As the 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, ESGR will continue to be the information agency for the employers of America's new Minutemen. 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.
usar
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 02.24.2006 12:35 |
| Story ID: | 5495 |
| Location: | QA |
| Web Views: | 190 |
| Downloads: | 87 |
This work, Georgia reservist receives recognition, support from civilian employers, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
