Wisconsin Reserve soldier, Gander Mountain store worker deploys to OIF

Courtesy Photo | Army Reserve Spc. April A. Leslie, a customer service specialist for Gander Mountain, a sporting goods store in Mosinee, Wis., is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as a finance specialist for the Wausau, Wis.-based 376th Finance Battalion, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

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07.11.2006

Courtesy Story

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Army Reserve Spc. April A. Leslie is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as a finance specialist for the Wausau, Wis.-based 376th Finance Battalion. Leslie 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 friends and family, Leslie said the 'support from people back home" and being able to communicate with them regularly through e-mail has helped lessen the distance.

In addition, she finds encouragement from her unit members while mobilized. "I'm definitely with my second family over here," Leslie commented.

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.

With four years in the military, this is Leslie's first deployment as a Reserve soldier. In her civilian occupation, she is a customer service specialist in Mosinee, Wis., for Gander Mountain, a sporting goods store where she has worked for three years. In her role at the store, Leslie cashiers, processes hunting and fishing licenses and takes care of customer returns and exchanges.

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 Leslie 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].

Even though this military tour took Leslie thousands of miles from her civilian employer, she knows she can count on her management to back her. "They have always been supportive and understanding of my military commitment," remarked Leslie, "which makes [the deployment] a lot easier."

Leslie, who calls Wausau home, is the daughter of Thomas and Dawn Leslie, also of Wausau. "They were initially worried," she said of her parents, "but they have confidence in me that I'll do a good job and make them proud."

• Date Taken: 07.11.2006
• Date Posted: 07.11.2006 13:47
• Story ID: 7121
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)