GOWEN FIELD, Idaho – The majority of the Idaho Army and Air National Guard is made up of part-time traditional guardsmen, most of whom are employed elsewhere - local small businesses, small and large corporations, city, state and federal employers. Local employers of these part-time military members were invited out to Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho for the annual Boss Lift event on June 6 and 7, 2018.
The Boss Lift is a joint endeavor hosted by the Idaho Military Division and the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve committee, an all-volunteer organization that is sanctioned by the Department of Defense Reserve Affairs.
“We work between the service members that wear the uniform part-time and their employers in the community that give them jobs,” said Karla Draper, state vice chair of the Idaho ESGR. “Our goal is to educate the employers on how important the part-time military service is to our nation’s defense, and it helps with retention of the military member if they have a supportive employer.”
The threats worldwide are constantly changing. The demand for training the part-time National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, along with the Reserve components, increase with change. The ESGR programs are dedicated to continuously informing the employers of the ever-changing demands of the military and to show them appreciation for their support.
“Next to a guardsman’s family, the civilian employer is the greatest supporter and we want to foster a good relationship with them. Employers can get fatigued from the multiple deployments and time taken off work for training,” said Maj. Noah Siple, an operations officer from the 116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team. “It’s important that they understand what we are asking of their employees when they do have to leave. This lets the civilians come out and see their employees in a different light, and it really opens their eyes to the scope of talent and professional skill sets that their employees have.”
Employers experienced the simulators of several primary pieces of equipment, to include the M1A2 Abrams Tank, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, and toured the UH-72 Lakota rescue helicopter. Employers, some for their first time, flew in the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and landed at the Orchard Combat Training Center where the 116th Calvary Brigade simultaneously was conducting their two-week annual training. They toured the OCTC and learned how to prepare their own Meal Ready to Eat.
Additionally, employers toured several Army and Air workforce facilities, and met with multiple military members who shared their diverse backgrounds and knowledge with them. Several employers were able to inquire about and find their employees who invited them to this year’s Boss Lift.
Peder Humlen-Ahearn, deputy chief, Ada County Paramedics, was invited out by two of his employees, Sgt. Samantha Young, a flight medic from the Idaho Army National Guard, and Senior Airman Annelise Lane, from the 124th Medical Group, Idaho Air National Guard.
“John Blake, the other deputy chief, and I were nominated to come out and see what they do when they’re gone, and they are gone frequently,” said Humlen-Ahearn. “This experience is absolutely fantastic. Just seeing the amount of rigor that is involved in being a Citizen-Soldier and Airman, and how that translates into the workforce to produce really great employees. It is just an extra level of being proud. We are really proud of our employees like Samantha and Annelise who go above and beyond and work hard every day. Other employers should absolutely make time for this program, it’s worth it.”