City of Gallup, N.M. employee protects the forces in Southwest Asia

Courtesy Photo | Ariz. native, N.M. Army National Guard Sgt. Randy Pinto of Window Rock, Ariz., computer service technician for the City of Gallup is part of force protection while deployed overseas to Qatar with the 111th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.  

QATAR

07.11.2006

Courtesy Story

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Story by Sgt. 1st Class David McCrary
ESGR Forward Team

Qatar - N.M. Army National Guard Sgt. Randy Pinto is currently deployed to Qatar 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.

Pinto, who joined the military after college, pointed out that "everything fell into place [after that]." Despite the challenges of being away from his family of five brothers and three sisters, Pinto feels a kinship with his fellow soldiers. "This is where I belong," he quietly asserted. He further added that being part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror gives added meaning to his military service.

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 Qatar, Pinto serves as part of the 111th Air Defense Artillery " Task Force Cobra which provides force protection for the base. The Sergeant has served in the military for nine years; this is his second deployment overseas.

As a civilian employee, Pinto is a computer service technician for the City of Gallup, N.M., his employer of 14 years. Pinto expressed appreciation for an employer who values his service. "Even though my office was surprised again, they took me out to eat [before I left]," he stated. He indicated that it meant a lot to him to work for an employer who really cares.

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 Pinto 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].

According to Pinto, his employer has always freely given him complete flexibility with time away for his National Guard service as well as providing 15 days of military leave annually. He is grateful he doesn't have to worry about his job back home while he is engaged in the mission in Qatar. They told him to 'take care of yourself. We want you back safe."

Pinto, who calls Window Rock, Ariz., home, is the son of Esther Pinto also of Window Rock.

ESGR

• Date Taken: 07.11.2006
• Date Posted: 07.11.2006 15:26
• Story ID: 7144
• Location: QA