From top American corporations to small main street businesses, approximately 150 business executives were welcomed to the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos on Jan. 19 so that the National Guard and Reserve Services, along with their employed service members, could express their thanks and appreciation.
“The idea is to thank employers for allowing their employees to continue to serve,” said Joseph Boscacci, Vice Chairman of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), who spoke to the large group assembled in massive Hanger One at the base.
ESGR is a Department of Defense organization established to promote cooperation and understanding between Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from the employee’s military commitment.
Representatives from a cross-section of businesses, large and small, attended the ‘day in the life of a citizen solider’ event along with the service members they employ.
Speaking against the backdrop of the Blackhawks in the hanger, Boscacci said that in today’s world, traditional military services would be hard-pressed to accomplish their missions if not for the National Guard and Reserve.
He said sometimes the traditional services require as much as a 40 percent contribution from the Guard and Reserve to complete their missions.
From the attending companies, it is clear that Guardsmen and Reservists are employed by a wide cross-section of corporate America. Companies like Boeing, Northrup Grumman, Southwest Airlines, Lowes, Auto Zone, Amazon, and more than 100 more, including smaller companies like Acadian Fish Company and Vernis Sage Nail Bar were present and honored at JFTB Friday morning.
“They call it BOSSLIFT,” said Lt. Col. Tom Lasser (ret.), a former ESGR public affairs spokesperson.
He said employers who employ National Guard or Reserve service members were invited to the base for the morning-long event. The employers are given a briefing on the role of the Guard and Reserve, they are invited to mingle with military officials, including in this case, the new base commander Lt. Col. Dan Fox, and employers are shown where their employees train and serve.
Other military officials addressed the employers during the morning ceremonies, including Commander Fox.
On the job now for a couple of months, while still learning his way around, Fox has been clear in several public pronouncements that he’s all about seeking change fast.
The former Pentagon officer enthusiastically welcomed all of the military officials, employers, and service members, thanking all of them for their commitment.
During the ceremony, Boscacci presented Amazon’s Senior Finance executive Matt Galvin with an ESGR Award. He said service members were asked to nominate their employers for the award and he thanked all the nominees.
Lt. James Speck, employed by Amazon, said he was “proud” to nominate Galvin and Amazon.
“It makes me very proud to work for an employer who has such a strong commitment and relationship to employing veterans and those still in the Guard and Reserve,” said Speck to ENE in an interview.
As a company, said Galvin, Amazon has committed to supporting U.S. military services.
“The commitment that we have in hiring personnel, as well as reservists, has always been very high for our company,” said Galvin to ENE.
“That tens of thousands (military personnel) already work for us is something that we’re tremendously proud of,” said Galvin, “I’m proud of working with James (Speck) and the value that he brings to our team.”
Galvin said the company admires the consistency and quality of work from military personnel and they have “a lot of pride around a commitment to increase military hiring to at least 100,000, hopefully by this year.”
Ironically, Speck is also a Blackhawk pilot who said he would pilot the chopper in which Mr. Galvin would ride.
Following the hanger ceremony, the employees were escorted, in pre-determined groups, to four waiting Blackhawk helicopters for flights of approximately 30 minutes each.
In addition, all of the nearly 150 employers were given so-called SWAG bags, which included a variety of things, both civilian and military, including a “Beef Goulash” MRE, Meal, Ready to Eat.
“It is critical that we show these employers the respect they deserve by allowing their employees to serve in the Guard and Reserve while giving them the employment flexibility they need to respect both commitments,” said Stephanie Pofcher, Director of Public Affairs for ESGR.
“By valuing and supporting their employees’ military service,” she said, “employers enhance loyalty, foster a positive work environment and contribute to the national defense effort.”
Southern California employers “play a critical role in keeping the nation safe,” she added. “Employers fulfill their moral obligation but also contribute to the national defense effort.”
Boscacci said the “Bosslift” this year and the one last year at JFTB have gone exceptionally well. “This is a critical time,” he said, noting the ESGR planned other such events to thank employers of the Guard and Reserve for Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard Reserves.
“It’s highly critical that employers see with their own eyes,” he said, “and I think flying in a Blackhawk is a nice way to say thank you.”
