City of Helena Heavy Equipment Operator using his skills while deployed to Iraq

IRAQ

07.25.2006

Courtesy Story

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

by Senior Master Sgt. Darenda Rogers
ESGR Forward Team

IRAQ – Montana Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Joseph B. Carter, an employee of the City of Helena, is currently deployed to Iraq 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.

"The heat has been the hardest part of this deployment," said Carter. In spite of these challenges, however, Carter said that being part of Operation Iraqi Freedom helps 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 both his home unit, the 219th Red Horse Squadron, Great Falls, Mont., and his deployed unit, Red Horse 557th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron, Carter is a heavy equipment operator. He has served in the military for 22 years; this is his first deployment overseas.

Carter, employed for the past 19 years by the City of Helena, works out of Helena, Mont. as a heavy equipment operator. He expressed gratitude for a supportive employer as well as relief that his job will be there when he returns home.

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 (name) 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].

Since Carter's civilian and military careers overlap, they compliment each other. "The work I do on this deployment keeps my skills up-to-speed for my job back home, Carter said. Carter expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve his country but he looks forward to "seeing my daughters when I go home."

Carter, who calls Clancy, Mont., his home is the son of Vivian Carter of Helena, Mont. and the proud father of two daughters: Kayla and Kasey.

• Date Taken: 07.25.2006
• Date Posted: 07.25.2006 13:03
• Story ID: 7300
• Location: IQ