The National Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) sponsors an awards program designed to recognize employers for employment policies and practices that are supportive of their employees’ participation in the National Guard and Reserve. All employer recognition and awards originate from nominations by individual Reserve component members.

Depending on the degree of support, the level of recognition rises to the “Employer Support Freedom Award,” given by the Secretary of Defense. Employer awards include:

” Patriot Award” Certificate of Appreciation.

ESGR presents this Award and a Patriot lapel pin on behalf of the Department of Defense. All members of the National Guard and Reserve forces are eligible to nominate for the Patriot Award their employers, supervisors, co-workers or anyone else that has assisted them or their family during their military service.  This honored recognition is highly coveted as it is recommended by the Service Members.  The Award will be given to all that are nominated. This nomination is subsequently used by the local ESGR Committee as the basis for consideration to receive higher level awards.

Local ESGR Committee Chair’s Award

This award is given in limited numbers and presented annually by each ESGR Committee. It is designed to recognize those employers who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements for granting assistance and support to the service members and their families.

PRO PATRIA Award

It is presented to those employers who demonstrate exceptional support for our national defense by adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate in the National Guard and Reserve. Each committee may give only one PRO PATRIA annually.

The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Nominations must come from a Guard or Reserve member who is employed by the organization they are nominating, or from a family member. The award was created to publicly recognize employers who provide exceptional support to their National Guard and Reserve employees. It is the highest in a series of employer recognition awards given by the Department of Defense.

The Freedom Award is presented annually to the nation’s 15 most supportive employers. The nomination season opens the first working day of November and closes the third Monday of January.

Who Is Eligible?

Employers, Co-Workers and others that provide significant assistance to you or your Family during your mobilization or training that supports your participation in the National Guard and Reserve.

How do you nominate your employer?

The easiest way to nominate your employer, co-worker or others is to use the “Award Your Employer” nomination form. By pressing the “Send” button at the bottom of the form, your nomination arrives at the FLESGR Awards Office within moments.

Copies of the nomination form can also be obtained from your local FLESGR Committee or the National ESGR Headquarters toll-free number, (800) 336-4590.

Look for applications in the publications you receive from military professional associations. The military associations are fully aware of the vital importance of employer and community support for the National Guard and Reserve. They periodically print ESGR Award applications to encourage participation in the ESGR Awards program by their members.

An e-mail to the National Committee Awards Program manager (rkrenke@ra.osd.mil), a fax (703-696-1411) or a traditional letter (National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, 1555 Wilson Blvd, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22209-2405) are all fine. If you choose not to use one of the ESGR forms, please follow one as a guide so you don’t leave out necessary information.

However you make your nomination, remember that it makes your employer eligible for the higher level awards. A little extra effort to provide details will help us to recognize and properly award the most outstanding employers.

What happens after you submit your nomination?

Your nomination is processed within 30-45 days after receipt. The certificate of appreciation is forwarded to the unit commander in a presentation folder. The commander also receives detailed information on various methods of presentation of the certificate to your employer. If you have a suggestion as to how you would like it presented, you may want to coordinate with your commander. If you want to follow your nomination through the process of higher level consideration, contact your local FLESGR Committee.

What should you do if your employer’s Award doesn’t arrive on time?

ESGR processes thousands of awards each year. Occasionally, a nomination gets “lost” in the process. If your employer’s certificate doesn’t arrive after 45 days, please contact either your State or National ESGR Headquarters and we will expedite the process.