Wisconsin Reserve soldier, Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley worker deploys

Courtesy Photo | Army Reserve Pfc. Nick A. Eiting, a mechanic for Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley in Ashwaubenon, Wis., is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as a light-wheel vehicle mechanic for the Onalaska, Wis.-based 458th Ordnance Company (Collection and Classification), in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

06.20.2006

Courtesy Story

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Army Reserve Pfc. Nick A. Eiting is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as a light-wheel vehicle mechanic for the Onalaska, Wis.-based 458th Ordnance Company (Collection and Classification).

Eiting is serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the official name given to military operations assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure and 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.

Despite the challenges of being far from home and family, Eiting looks at his service during OIF as a "great life experience that builds a lot of character."

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. The unified command of USCENTCOM is 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.

When he is stateside, Eiting serves in the same military occupational specialty with the 377th Maintenance Co. (Direct Support), out of Manitowoc, Wis. With four years in the military, this is Eiting's first overseas deployment. In his civilian occupation, the private first class is a mechanic in Ashwaubenon, Wis., for Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley, where he has worked for five years. In this role, he fixes all of the machines in the 60-lane bowling alley.

Eiting enjoys going to work at the bowling alley, and he doesn't have to worry that being called to active service will change that. "They were very supportive. Whenever I needed time off, it was fine," he remarked. "When I went home on leave," he added, "it was the first place I stopped."

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 Eiting 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].

Eiting, who calls Wrightstown, Wis., home, is the son of Dan and Judy Eiting, both of De Pere, Wis.

• Date Taken: 06.20.2006
• Date Posted: 06.20.2006 14:32
• Story ID: 6895
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)