Alabama ESGR

02/10/2025

https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2025-02-10/oklahoma-school-reservist-settlement-16785415.html

Oklahoma City Public Schools will pay an Air Force reservist $60,000 as part of a settlement resolving allegations that the school district violated the airman’s employment rights.

05/30/2024

MOBILE, Ala. -- ESGR volunteer Dr. Bob Barrow (center) presents an ESGR Patriot Award on May 16 to Larry Ryder, vice president for development for Austal USA. At right is Cmdr. Michael Wysong, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, who nominated Ryder for the award.

Ryder flew in from Washington, D.C., to accept the award in front of the company's Veterans Wall of Honor.

The first in ESGR's series of awards is the Patriot Award. An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors and bosses for support provided directly to the nominating Service member and his or her family. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.

Austal USA is a ship manufacturer headquartered in Mobile, Ala., with service centers in San Diego and Singapore and a technology center in Charlottesville, Va. With the most modern steel panel line in the shipbuilding industry, Austal USA manufactures both aluminum and steel ships. Austal USA leverages a moving module production line and strict adherence to lean manufacturing principles to consistently deliver on-schedule and on-budget. Austal USA is under contract for several programs, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), and the U.S. Navy TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ship, Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessel, Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue ship (T-ATS), Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS), Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM), and Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programs. Austal USA also supports Navy unmanned vessel programs leveraging its advanced autonomous machinery control system. Austal USA’s service business provides global support to U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command and other customers. Austal USA’s San Diego Service Center includes a waterfront facility that has the capability to drydock small combatants and similar sized ships. Earning 25 safety excellence awards, Austal USA continues to be one of the safest shipyards in America.

05/06/2024

ESGR volunteer Jim Dunaway presents a Spouse Patriot Award recently to Sarah Kidwell, center, assistant director of Education Abroad at the University of Alabama. Kidwell was nominated by Eva Machado, right, of Hope Hull. While Eva's husband, Alberto, was deployed with the Alabama Army National Guard, their son was injured in a traffic accident. In Eva's nomination, she said Kidwell provided support by offering flexibility in Eva's work schedule. "Sarah displayed compassion and empathy," Eva wrote.

Though not required by law, many employers voluntarily assist Guard and Reserve spouses, who often share the challenges of military service. Childcare, managing the household, and work schedules often have to be adjusted when one spouse leaves to serve our country. ESGR Alabama appreciates our employers who support our service members and their families!

01/17/2024

ESGR volunteer Chris Curry (right) presents an ESGR Seven Seals Award to Col. (Ret.) Allen King recently. While serving as commander of the 117th Air Refueling Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard, King was crucial in his support of ESGR's Bosslift program. According to Curry, King provided necessary aircraft for two Bosslifts last year, allowing area employers to observe members of the Guard and Reserve at work.

The Seven Seals Award is presented in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission, to include the efforts of the more than 2,300 volunteers who carry out ESGR’s mission across the Nation on a daily basis.

10/03/2023

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Seeks Nominations for Alabama ESGR State Chair

Montgomery, AL – Alabama Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is now seeking nominations for the next Alabama ESGR State Chair.

The State Chair is an official Department of Defense volunteer position with a three-year term of service. The Alabama State Chair’s role provides leadership and vision for a team of dedicated volunteers throughout Alabama to carry out the ESGR mission.

As a Department of Defense office, ESGR develops and promotes supportive civilian work environments for Reserve Component service members through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities to increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR carries out its mission through its headquarters staff and nearly 3,000 volunteers across 54 State Committees. ESGR members conduct proactive outreach to service members and civilian employers, ensuring all are aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). ESGR volunteers also provide no-cost, neutral mediation to service members and their civilian employers when issues arise. They manage a robust Employer Awards program to recognize the critical role supportive employers have in enhancing retention rates in the Reserve Component.

Ideal candidates for the State Chair position should have an established network of military and employer contacts. A working knowledge of the Reserve Components and military culture is desired. Candidates should also have proven experience in budgeting, volunteer leadership management and recruiting, and strategic planning.

Proven leaders who are interested and meet qualifying skills for the Alabama ESGR State Chair position are encouraged to submit themselves. To be considered for selection, each interested candidate needs a nomination package including the following items:

1. Two-page Biographical summary or resume.
2. A letter stating his/her reason(s) for interest in serving, and thoughts and plans for leading the Alabama ESGR state committee.
3. Other supporting materials, as appropriate (recommendations, etc.)

Nomination packages must be submitted via U.S. mail and received no later than December 31st to Alabama ESGR Search Committee Chair at the following address:

James R. Adams
Alabama ESGR Committee
Ft. George C. Wallace (JFHQ)
1750 Congressman Dickinson Drive
Montgomery, AL 36109

Questions about the process may be referred to the Search Committee Chair through, Mr. James R. Adams, Phone Number, 334-270-2967 or by email at [email protected].

For additional information about ESGR, visit

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)