by Sgt. 1st Class David McCrary, ESGR Forward Team
KUWAIT- Army Reserve Sgt. Anngela Strathmann is currently deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the official name given to military operations 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.
Despite the challenges of being far from home and family and giving up her senior year at Purdue for this deployment, Strathmann pointed out that "being able to call home and [receive] mail" makes it easier. "The ability to help the soldiers makes it worthwhile," she added.
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 Kuwait, Strathmann serves as finance specialist with the 376th Finance Battalion. The Sergeant has served in the military for four years and this is her first deployment overseas.
In her civilian occupation, Strathmann works for Wendy's while also attending college as a full-time student. She has worked for the food chain for seven years and says that they are very supportive of her military and college career.
Strathmann, who works at two different Wendy's locations to accommodate college and home, also indicated that she is looking forward to returning to work at Wendy's when this deployment is over.
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 Strathmann 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 (800) 336-4590.
According to Strathmann, military training and discipline have helped her both in her job at Wendy's and also with her studies at Purdue where she is majoring in animal science working towards a career as a veterinarian.
Anngela, who is a native of Indianapolis, Ind., is the daughter of Jana and Paul Strathmann also of Indianapolis.
ESGR USAR
| Date Taken: | 06.21.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2006 09:11 |
| Story ID: | 6903 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 94 |
| Downloads: | 28 |
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