Editorials, Opinion Each day, thousands of men and women of the U.S. Military’s Guard and Reserve units are serving their country through active deployment. They have left behind their families, their homes and their civilian jobs to fulfill this commitment.
According to the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense organization, Reserve forces spend time away from the workplace defending the nation, supporting a demanding operations tempo and training to maintain their mission readiness. The nation’s Reserve components comprise approximately 48 percent of its total available military manpower.
In return for this commitment, these soldiers have rights when they return home that are specifically related to their job status. Unfortunately, many times, employers simply don’t know about or understand the laws that protect members of the Guard and Reserve.
This is where the ESGR comes in. With the help of many dedicated volunteers, including several local Camas-Washougal residents, this organization looks out for the legal rights of the members of the Guard and Reserve as they re-enter civilian life.
The work of this organization is invaluable. Volunteers can rattle off story after story about how they have been able to educate employers about the law and provide information that has ultimately allowed Guard and Reserve members to maintain their pre-deployment employment. A right they are without-a-doubt entitled to after making so many sacrifices for their country.
