EMT training officer training troops in Iraq rather than firefighters in Indiana

Courtesy Photo | Ind. Gov. Mitch Daniels pauses for a pose with Sgt. Major Thomas Butler, 1st Sgt. of the 738th Area Support Medical Company out of Monticello, Ind. currently deployed to Iraq.  

IRAQ

05.08.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

by Senior Master Sgt. Darenda Rogers, ESGR FWD Team

IRAQ - U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Maj. Thomas Butler of the 738th Area Support Medical Company (ASMC) is currently deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), the official name given to the military operation 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.

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 Iraq, Butler, who was promoted to Sgt. Maj. during this deployment, serves as first sergeant for the 738th ASMC. In his role, he oversees the medical unit, executes the Commander's guidance, interacts with soldiers at three remote sites, and works with enlisted soldiers on any challenges during the deployment. The Sgt. Maj. has served in the military for 22 years; this is the second deployment of his military career.

Butler stays busy with two employers back home. His full-time employer for the past nine years is the Rochester Fire Department where he is a firefighter/emergency medical technician training officer. He also works part-time with Sears-Rochester in the delivery department. Butler affirmed, "Both of my employers have been most supportive and I would not be as successful as I have been [in my military job] here without their support."

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 Butler 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].

For employers who have been there for him, Butler expressed his appreciation. The Fire Department 'sent me a couple of packages," he explained, but 'some of the guys from the [fire] department have gone to the house to fix little things while I've been gone." He quickly affirmed that the Sear Store has made a difference as well because 'they have sent numerous packages and a few tools that we needed here to help out."

According to Butler, Sears reminds their customers of soldiers serving overseas. "They even set up a little display at the store in my honor," he clarified.

Butler, who calls Rochester, Ind. his home is married to Samantha and has two children, Alison and Daniel. There is no question how proud this Sgt. Maj. is of his family. "My wife completed nursing school during this deployment," he stated. "My daughter, a 7th-grader at Rochester Middle School, is a straight A student, cheerleader, basketball, volleyball, and softball player and also serves on the student council. My son, a 2nd-grader at Columbia Elementary School, is doing great in school, as well, and plays basketball and some baseball," he concluded.

ESGR

• Date Taken: 05.08.2006
• Date Posted: 05.08.2006 16:28
• Story ID: 6297
• Location: IQ