the patriotic promise texas employer support of the guard and reserve (esgr) employment initiatives...

The Patriotic Promise

Texas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

(ESGR)

Employment InitiativesJohn H. SteeleExecutive DirectorTexas ESGR

Introductory Video

• Available on Youtube.com• Search for “ESGR Informational Video”• Runs just under 3 minutes…

Guard & Reserve Activations

NOBLE EAGLE / ENDURING FREEDOM / NEW DAWN

Guard & Reserve Living in Texas

ArmyNG

AirNG

ArmyRes

NavyRes

Marine Res

Air Force Res

Coast Guard

ResTOTAL

Assigned 20,039 3,515 18,411 5,811 3,361 6,734 459 58,330

Ever Activated 19,145 2,826 16,192 1,242 4,906 5,713 535 50,559

Activated Now 1,834 265 2,024 337 843 382 79 5,764

DeployedNow 825 69 1,128 48 731 177 1 2,979

***Ever Activated #s represent activations since 9/11**

New Realities of Service

• “This isn’t your Grandfather’s Guard & Reserve”• “Strategic Reserve” to “Operational Reserve”• 50% of our personnel and combat power now

reside in the Reserve Component (Guard/Reserve)

• Some families have both parents serving• Citizen Soldiers have two bosses/two jobs….• DoD wants to ensure SMs have an advocate

ESGR Organization

• A volunteer organization!• 4,800 trained volunteers nationwide

• Business and civic leaders, patriotic citizens, individuals who want to make a difference

• 200 paid staff nationwide• Organized by committees (54)• Texas ESGR

• 260 volunteers & 5 paid staff members in Texas

ESGR History

• Established in 1972• Original role was recruiting/retention• 70s/80s – Building relationship w/employers• Gulf War I – 1990-1991• USERRA (Oct 13, 1994)

• Since 9/11 – ESGR membership has grown & mission have become

vital

ESGR Mission Statement

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency that seeks to promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees.

We recognize outstanding support, increase awareness of the law, and resolve conflicts through mediation.

Recognizing Outstanding Support

• The Patriot Award (Supervisors)

• The Above & Beyond Award (Supervisors/Employers)

• The Pro Patria Award (Presented Annually – 1/1/1)

• The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award• 5 smaller-sized employer• 5 large-sized employers (500+)• 5 public employers

Recognizing Outstanding Support

Patriot Awards Freedom Award Nominees

FY08 14,071 2,199

FY09 14,571 3,202

FY10 22,236 2,470

Recognizing Outstanding Support

Recognizing Outstanding Support

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and the 2011 Freedom Award Winners

Increase Awareness of the Law

• Educate employers and service members on the Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)

• We really work for you…the employers!• Would your organization like a free briefing?• Most of the problems we see with USERRA

violations is “ignorance of the law”

Resolve Conflicts Through Mediation

• 45 DoD-Trained Ombudsmen in Texas• We represent the law (USERRA)!• USERRA protects a SM’s job, …not ESGR• Informal mediation…non-binding (win/win)

• DoL is the USERRA enforcer, not ESGR• We won’t rat you out to DoL…promise

• Free advice to employers on USERRA matters• ESGR.MIL (.com, .net, .org)

• 1-800-336-4590

Resolve Conflicts Through Mediation

USERRA Inquiries

Cases Assigned

% Cases Resolved

FY08 13,090 2,664 71.3 %

FY09 15,870 2,475 80 %

FY10 34,612 3,202 84.4 %

Employment Initiative Program

Guard & Reserve

SHRM &Employers

State & Federal ServicesVeteran’s

Groups

Employment Initiative Program

What ESGR EIP is…1. Collaboration with federal/state/local agencies2. Bridge Building (service members with providers)

3. Advertising & Education (employers, partners, …)

What it is NOT…4. We are not an employment agency5. We are not career counselors6. We are not service providers

Employment Initiative Partners

• SHRM – TSC & Local Chapters• Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) & DoL VETS• Texas Veterans Leadership Program (TVLP)• Texas Association of Business (TAB)• Employer Partnership of Armed Forces (EPAF)• Job Connection Education Program (JCEP)• Workforce Readiness Groups• Transition Assistance Centers (ACAP)• Public & Private Organizations

6 Tangible action steps you can take today!1. Employment Partnership of the Armed Forces2. Job Connection Education Program3. DoD Yellow Ribbon Program4. Nationwide Virtual Career Fair (10 Nov)5. Brand new Reserve Component Initiative!6. ESGR Statement of Support

Employment Initiative Program

Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces

• More than 2,200 Employer Partners taking advantage of the program

• 96 Fortune 500 Companies• 34 State Placement Agencies

• Have built a national network• Monster.com with a “personal touch”• No cost to employers!• High-tech approach

Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces

Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces

Ron BouldinProgram Support Manager

(Retired Army Reserve Soldier)

Territory: TX & NM(Based at Grand Prairie, TX)

910-728-2517ronald.bouldin@usar.army.mil

www.EmployerPartnership.org

Job Connection Education Program

• “End-to-End” Program• High-touch approach• 1-on-1 Counseling• $ to $$$$ Paying Jobs• High-touch organization• Resume review/mock interviews• Work closely with employers

Over 600 participants now working!!!

OfficesSandage Armory (Fort Worth)Westheimer Heuer Armory (Houston)

Job Connection Education Program

Jay “Rudy” RudolphTraining & Development Specialist

Westheimer Heuer Armory (Houston, TX)

817-689-6139Jay.Rudolph@jcep.info

www.jcep.info

DoDYellow Ribbon Program

• Mandated by Congress in 2008• Mission: Prepare/Sustain/Reintegrate• Individually run by the 7 service components• Weekends events happening nationwide• A great place to meet future employees!!!

DoDYellow Ribbon Program

Julie RussellDoD Yellow Ribbon Reintegration

Program Specialist(Western Texas)

816-728-3359

jrussell@a-teamsoultions.com

www.yellowribbon.mil

Brand New Initiative!!!

• HERO 2 Hired!!! (H2H.jobs)• Launches December 2011• Sponsored by Dept. of Reserve Affairs• Supports President’s veteran’s outreach pgm• Poised to become the leading veteran

employment tool

H2H.JOBS

H2H.JOBS

You can pre-register to join the Hero2Hired veteran employment program.

Once the H2H program has launched in December, your job announcements will be available to veterans.

Additionally, you will be able to search for and screen candidates, invite candidates to apply for your vacancies, and network with others in your industry.

Statement of Support

• The cornerstone of ESGR’s effort to gain and maintain employer support

• GOAL: To increase employer support for the Guard and Reserve by developing employers into advocates for employee participation in the military

Military Service = Win/Win for member/employer• Better trained and productive employees

Statement of Support

Statement of SupportStatements of

SupportEmployers

BriefedFY08 44,861 148,463

FY09 54,965 162,489

FY10 58,817 164,218

WE ALL SERVETotal Force =

Active + Reserve + Families + Employers

Guardsmen & Reservists don’t want to come work for your company….

…..they want to come SERVE!

Contacting ESGR

• Texas ESGR Offices• Austin, Fort Worth, and Houston• TXESGR.NET

• You have my contact info on your handout• ESGR.MIL 1-800-336-4590• We are always looking for good people!!!