North Dakota ESGR

North Dakota ESGR ND ESGR seeks to promote a culture in which all ND employers support and value the military service

North Dakota ESGR was honored to host a Lunch & Learn in Dickinson, connecting local employers and community leaders wit...
08/10/2026

North Dakota ESGR was honored to host a Lunch & Learn in Dickinson, connecting local employers and community leaders with members of the National Guard and Reserve to discuss the value service members bring to the workforce.

Rob Keller, ND ESGR Vice-Chair, and Stepheny Jane Reger, ND ESGR Volunteer, shared information about ESGR's mission and received excellent feedback on ways to increase awareness and strengthen employer support for Guard and Reserve members.
Special thanks to SSG Joseph Kane and SGT Zachary Obrigewitch of the North Dakota National Guard Dickinson Recruiting Station for their support and participation.

We also appreciate the attendance and engagement of Dickinson State University President Molander, State University Foundation President Ty Orton, Tony Scharf and Kelli Scharf owners of Phat Fish Brewing, Dr. Marcus Lewtona, Sarah Trustem of Dickinson Public Schools, and Benjamin Rae, Executive Director of Dickinson Parks & Recreation.

Each participating organization received an ESGR Statement of Support to proudly display, demonstrating their commitment to supporting employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

A sincere thank you to the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce for providing a welcoming space for this community conversation.

Happy 236th Birthday U.S. Coast Guard!!
08/04/2026

Happy 236th Birthday U.S. Coast Guard!!

08/04/2026

Check out this week's edition of the North Dakota National Guard TAG Line!

Featuring: North Dakota Air National Guard taking part in an Innovative Readiness Training event, North Dakota Army & Air National Guard at Cyber Shield, Grizzly Gauntlet competition, and more!

08/04/2026

President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order in the White House's Oval Office establishing the President's Military Spouse Commission.

Our Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) volunteers were proud to participate in the recent Military Night a...
07/27/2026

Our Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) volunteers were proud to participate in the recent Military Night at River Cities Speedway. The fantastic event, sponsored by Absolute Glass LLC, celebrated veterans and military members with an exciting evening of racing and community.

ESGR volunteers John Oncken, Mike Humble, and Kristy Wangler connected with service members, veterans, and their families throughout the evening. They shared information about ESGR’s mission and highlighted the resources available to support members of the Guard and Reserve and their civilian employers.

Thank you to Absolute Glass LLC, River Cities Speedway, and our incredible volunteers for making the night a victory for our military community!

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) volunteer Kristy Wangler recently conducted a specialized briefing for ...
07/23/2026

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) volunteer Kristy Wangler recently conducted a specialized briefing for Marines assigned to the Detachment Support Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, at the Wahpeton Armed Forces Reserve Center.

The session provided valuable information about ESGR, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and Employer Recognition.

By connecting directly with the unit, Wangler helped Marine Reservists gain a better understanding of their employment rights as well as the resources available to support both them and their civilian employers.

David Somdahl and Diane Laffen, volunteers for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), recently participat...
07/22/2026

David Somdahl and Diane Laffen, volunteers for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), recently participated in a Fargo event dedicated to supporting service members and their families as they prepared for an upcoming deployment.

Attendees received presentations from local experts on employment rights and responsibilities, financial planning, and other essential support resources. The event also featured an ESGR booth, where David and Diane answered questions, shared information about ESGR, and connected service members and their families with valuable resources.

Events like these strengthen the partnership between the community and those who serve. ESGR is honored to support our service members and their families as they prepare for deployment and extends its appreciation to everyone in Fargo who helped make the event a success.

Congratulations Brig. Gen. Ayers. We are grateful to have you on our ESGR team!!
07/21/2026

Congratulations Brig. Gen. Ayers. We are grateful to have you on our ESGR team!!

General Atomics Receives ESGR Award! Eric Mattson, operations leader at General Atomics, Systems Integration, received t...
07/21/2026

General Atomics Receives ESGR Award!

Eric Mattson, operations leader at General Atomics, Systems Integration, received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award in recognition of his outstanding support of an employee serving in the Air National Guard.

John Oncken, a North Dakota ESGR Regional Chair, presented the award at GA-ASI's Flight Test and Training Center in Grand Forks. Dozens of North Dakota ESGR volunteers and GA-SI employees also watched the ceremony live via Microsoft Teams.

Mattson was nominated by Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Blake, senior enlisted leader of the 188th Operations Group, Arkansas Air National Guard. In his civilian career, Blake works as a sensor operator at the Grand Forks facility, which trains aircrews on the MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft.

"Being able to nominate Mr. Eric Mattson for the Patriot Award and then see him receive that recognition was a very humbling and rewarding experience," Blake said. "Having the chance to recognize a phenomenal manager like Eric and a supportive company like General Atomics made the experience so meaningful."

During the ceremony, Blake also recognized Oncken's volunteer service, presenting him with an American flag flown aboard an MQ-9 over a combat zone during Blake's deployment.

"What ESGR does is truly amazing," Blake said. "The work you do certainly strengthens the relationship between service members and their employers, and it gives us the opportunity to recognize leaders who go above and beyond in supporting their members."

ESGR is a Department of Defense program established to promote cooperation and understanding between National Guard and Reserve service members and their civilian employers. The Patriot Award honors supervisors and managers who go above and beyond in supporting their Guard and Reserve employees.

Address

30 Fraine Barracks Road
Bismarck, ND
58506

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17013332057

Website

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