The Patriotic Promise Texas Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Employment Initiatives John H. Steele Executive Director Texas 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 Army NG Air NG Army Res Navy Res Marine Res Air Force Res Coast Guard Res TOTAL Assigned 20,0393,51518,4115,8113,3616, ,330 Ever Activated 19,1452,82616,1921,2424,9065, ,559 Activated Now 1, , ,764 Deployed Now , ,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 – 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 14,0712,199 FY09 14,5713,202 FY10 22,2362,470

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)

Resolve Conflicts Through Mediation USERRA Inquiries Cases Assigned % Cases Resolved FY08 13,0902, % FY09 15,8702,47580 % FY10 34,6123, %

Employment Initiative Program Guard & Reserve SHRM & Employers State & Federal Services Veteran’s Groups

Employment Initiative Program What ESGR EIP is… 1.Collaboration with federal/state/local agencies 2.Bridge Building (service members with providers) 3.Advertising & Education (employers, partners, …) What it is NOT… 1.We are not an employment agency 2.We are not career counselors 3.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 Forces 2.Job Connection Education Program 3.DoD Yellow Ribbon Program 4.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

Ron Bouldin Program Support Manager (Retired Army Reserve Soldier) Territory: TX & NM (Based at Grand Prairie, TX)

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!!! Offices Sandage Armory (Fort Worth) Westheimer Heuer Armory (Houston)

Job Connection Education Program Jay “Rudy” Rudolph Training & Development Specialist Westheimer Heuer Armory (Houston, TX)

DoD Yellow 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!!!

DoD Yellow Ribbon Program Julie Russell DoD Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Specialist (Western Texas)

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

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

Statements of Support Employers Briefed FY08 44,861148,463 FY09 54,965162,489 FY10 58,817164,218

WE ALL SERVE Total 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 We are always looking for good people!!!