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.

01/18/2025

Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego recently received an award from Alabama ESGR.

In the photo at left, Samaniego accepts the Patriotic Employer Award. He was nominated for the award by 1st Lt. Michael "Alex" Davis, a sheriff's deputy and member of the Alabama Army National Guard. He serves with the 440th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Company in Clanton. Joining Davis and Samaniego for the presentation is Maj. Clayton Smith with the Army Reserve's Deployment Support Command. Smith is also a member of the sheriff's department.

In his nomination letter, Davis said:

“We are incredibly grateful to work for a Sheriff who is so supportive of the National Guard and Reserve members on our team. It is truly inspiring to know that our military service is valued and recognized here at the Sheriff’s Office. The fact that our membership is actively rewarded and seen as a special asset, is a testament to the supportive environment we have. We are especially thankful for the understanding and flexility shown when we receive short-notice deployments.

It is a privilege to serve our community both as law enforcement officers and as members of the National Guard, and we are fortunate to have en employer who values both. We appreciate Sheriff Samaniego’s dedication to the safety and well-being of the citizens of Shelby County, as well as what he has done at the national level. He is more than deserving of this prestigious award from ESGR and the Department of Defense.”

In the photo at right, Samaniego displays an ESGR Statement of Support of the Guard and Reserve that he signed on behalf of his department. Presenting the certificate is Nancy Waller, Alabama ESGR District 6 chair, and former Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry, also a volunteer with Alabama ESGR.

06/20/2024

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Chief Pilot Bryan Klassen (center) of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office proudly displays a Patriot Award and ESGR Statement of Support on June 17 at Mitchell Field in Bessemer, Ala. Presenting the certificates are Nancy Waller, ESGR District 6 chair, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Garrett Scholten, who nominated Klassen for the award.

Scholten currently serves as a Chinook (CH-47) pilot in B Company, 1-169th Aviation Battalion, Alabama Army National Guard in Birmingham.

In his nomination, Scholten said of Klassen:

“Bryan has implemented flexible work policies that allow National Guard members to fulfill their military obligations without fear of repercussions or negative impact on their civilian careers. Whether it is granting additional leave for training, or accommodating deployment schedules, Bryan effectively balances the needs of National Guard members and ensures they have the necessary support to fulfill their duties without sacrificing the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Mission Load.

Bryan guarantees, and is a strong advocate for, job security and protection against discrimination for National Guard members, ensuring that their civilian careers remain intact while they fulfill their military obligations. This commitment to job security provides peace of mind to Guardsmen and Reservists, allowing them to focus on their duties without worrying about their livelihoods.

While not open about it, Bryan also supports and regularly checks-in on family members of National Guardsmen who are deployed, offering support and assistance without asking or advertising.”

Alabama ESGR congratulates and appreciates supervisors such as Klassen who make life easier and better for their employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve. Thanks also to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office!

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.

05/30/2024

GRAND BAY, Ala. -- ESGR volunteer Dr. Bob Barrow (left) and Master Sgt. Ashley Griffith (center) present an ESGR Patriot Award May 21 to Rebecca Brower, principal of Grand Bay Middle School. Griffith serves with the Alabama National Guard and nominated Brower for the award because of her support for employees who are members of the National Guard and Reserve.

"This was a perfect venue for the presentation of the Patriot Award, since it was done before an audience of some 300 friends and families of the graduating 8th graders," said Barrow. "It was an opportunity to remind many residents of Grand Bay that our citizen Soldiers, sailors and airmen are doing their part in our communities in support of our nation's security."

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.

05/27/2024

We remember.

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!

05/06/2024

Alabama ESGR State Chair Warren Dailey (right) presents the Spirit of Volunteerism Award to Bosslift Director Chris Curry at the Annual Program and Awards Meeting on April 27 in Montgomery. Dailey cited Curry’s exceptional leadership of the Bosslift program, in which employers are transported to military facilities to see Guard and Reserve members at work. Curry is former sheriff of Shelby County.

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)

09/11/2023

The National Day of Service and Remembrance, also known as Patriot Day, honors the lives sacrificed due to the attack on our country on Sept. 11 2001.

09/11/2023

The selfless sacrifice would come to define September 11, 2001 as much, if not more so than the attacks themselves.

https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/9/have-you-forgotten