Sauk County Planning & Zoning specialist "provides for" religious needs of sailors/marines while deployed overseas

IRAQ

07.25.2006

Courtesy Story

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

by Senior Master Sgt. Darenda Rogers
ESGR Forward Team

IRAQ – Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Matthew F. Bremer, a zoning and environmental specialist with Sauk County Planning and Zoning out of Baraboo, Wis. is currently deployed to Bahrain in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the official name given to military operations from Afghanistan to the Horn of Africa in support of the Global War on Terror and 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.

"The hardest part of this deployment has been separation from loved ones and the heat of the environment," said Bremer. In spite of these challenges, however, Bremer said that being part of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom help to make up for any hardships that he may encounter.

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 Bahrain, Bremer serves as the Force Religious Program (RP) Specialist for U.S. Fifth Fleet (5th Fleet), U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). As one of the remaining two plankholders, a sailor who is one of the first to do something on a ship, in the RP rating on orders, Bremer provides religious accommodations for sailors and marines assigned to NAVCENT and 5th Fleet.

He coordinates religious services and ministry for various ships. During high holidays, he ensures appropriate coverage for that type of service as well. The religious program master chief pointed out that he "chose the religious program for the potential to develop the program as well as potential for promotion." He has served in the military for 29 years; this is his third overseas deployment.

Bremer, employed by Sauk County for the last six years, currently working for planning and zoning as a zoning and environmental specialist, works out of Baraboo, Wis. Bremer's office comprises about 10 people, with whom he enjoys interacting, as revealed by the smile on his face and the laughter in his voice when he relates stories of their experiences. "With respect to my job, I miss the camaraderie of the office staff most," he said.

Although the responsibilities in his civilian position are diverse, people skills are an integral part of his job since he must enforce zoning requirements. He is also responsible for protecting the environmental resources of Sauk County and maintaining mining regulations for quarries and gravel pits to protect public interest and prohibit over-restriction of private interests. Bremer indicated that he values his employer's support.

"My employer is very supportive," he said. According to Bremer, his employer is paving the way for an easy transition. "We stay in touch via email and they keep me totally informed of various issues on the job there so that it will ease my transition when I return home," he explained

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 Bremer 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].

"This experience has caused me to again reflect upon the need for strong employer support as we work on missions far from home which are constantly changing," said Bremer. "The value of the mission has made it worthwhile," he said, but he looks forward to returning to family, friends, and work. "I'm looking forward to returning to it [job]," Bremer stated.

A sailor who is committed to his family, Bremer and his wife of 27 years, Jude, call Portage, Wis. home. They have two children: Thor, 22, and Hans, 20. "My family is highly supportive, understanding of the mission, and e-mail is da bomb," Bremer said.

He further added "E-mail makes these deployments so much more doable. It probably makes or breaks many relationships because communication is the key."

• Date Taken: 07.25.2006
• Date Posted: 07.25.2006 12:40
• Story ID: 7297
• Location: IQ