SAN DIEGO –
Vice Admiral John Mustin, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force, recognized over 47 civilian employers representing companies from across the nation for their exceptional support of Navy Reserve Sailors during the Navy Reserve's annual Navy Employer Recognition Event (NERE) June 11, 2024.
The annual event recognizes employers who provide outstanding support to Navy Reserve Sailors who work for their organizations in a civilian capacity. The all-day event included a tour of USS Tripoli (LHA 7), static displays of aircraft and facilities and a dinner reception aboard USS Midway Museum with Mustin, as well as other flag officers and representatives from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
“We’re here to show our thanks,” said Mustin, addressing the assembly of employers and participants during the event's opening ceremony on the USS Tripoli flight deck. “Your support of your Navy Reserve employees is critical to our bi-coastal nation’s ability to maintain maritime dominance and to protect our economic vibrancy, our prosperity and our security, which, frankly, depends on the seas.”
Visiting executives from various employer organizations had the opportunity to experience a live demonstration from the Navy Marine Mammal Program, view an aircraft static display from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR-57), take tours of Navy patrol craft and observe a demonstration with the military working dogs from Naval Base San Diego Security Department.
Employers and participants also met with Navy special warfare operators from SEAL Team 17, toured the USS Midway Museum, and enjoyed a lunch provided by the ESGR.
“Just being able to work with Reserve Sailors in a way that allows them to do all the great things that they are doing for the country is really important to us,” said Laura Kitto, Vice President of Human Resources for Distributor Wire and Cable in Aurora, Colorado. “To be able to see that there are other folks out here from different businesses trying their best to support Reserve Sailors is pretty neat.”
NERE provides an opportunity for employers to get better acquainted with the military commitments of their employees who are members of the Navy Reserve, providing a deeper understanding of the importance of employer support to Navy warfighting readiness.
It also provides a day of fun for spectators as many of the Navy’s critical operations provide a glimpse of their capability to a live civilian audience.
“This has been super fun to get a look inside the culture (of the Navy) and to try to understand it better,” said Kitto. “Also, the dolphin demonstration was really cool.”
Navy Reserve Sailors used the occasion as an opportunity to thank their employers for supporting them and their families before, during and after mobilizations or deployments, a thanks Mustin reinforced to the event's attendees.
“The Navy Reserve has one and only one priority,” said Mustin, “That, ladies and gentlemen, is warfighting readiness. Navy Reserve Sailors, your employees need to be ready to fight on day one when called upon – and I can assure you that the phenomenal support you provide is consequential and appreciated.”
For more information on how Navy Selected Reserve Sailors can recognize their civilian employers, visit the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) webpage. ESGR is a DoD program that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the Reserve Components through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities. Navy Selected Reserve Sailors can also nominate their civilian employers for a Patriot award at: https://www.esgr.mil/