Supporting Military Employees is Supporting our State and Nation

BY MAJOR GENERAL MICHAEL R. BERRY IN COLLABORATION WITH CHRISTINE F. KUBIK

WITH A POPULATION quickly growing to nearly 1-million, Delaware citizens are supported by over 2,700 Citizen Soldiers and Citizen Airmen who volunteer to serve in YOUR Delaware National Guard. The vast majority of these men and women—often our friends, co-workers, and neighbors—are considered “traditional” Guard members who wear the uniform to serve and train one weekend a month and two weeks a year at the very minimum to be mission ready. That is merely 36 training days to be trained, equipped, and prepared to serve the state and nation.

But, in circumstances as we have seen over the last year, during unprecedented times like the COVID-19 pandemic response, civil uprisings, natural disasters, and overseas conflicts, our nation routinely asks for more from the National Guard than ever before in our nation’s history. Whenever called upon to defend our national security at home or abroad, these brave men and women who wear the uniform respond immediately and effectively, placing the needs of their state and nation above their own personal safety.

Our Soldiers and Airmen must truly find and manage a unique balance between their service, civilian employment, and their families. Without the support and encouragement of their employers and their communities and families back home, they would not successfully serve in uniform. Our Delaware Guard members rely on the support and understanding of their civilian employers. Guard and Reserve service members can fully focus on the mission at hand, simply by knowing they have their job waiting for them, upon return from their military duty—whether they are serving just across the street or across the ocean. In my view here in our great state of Delaware, our employers are exceptionally supportive and equally play a part to be that same force multiplier in our missions.

Businesses who employ military employees understand firsthand the importance of and the benefit gained from putting their many transferable skills to work in the civilian workplace.

As the state’s Adjutant General, I personally offer my sincerest appreciation in recognizing supervisors, business owners, and our corporate leaders alike who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees. This last year has truly been unprecedented with multiple missions that we have had to call to duty more Soldiers and Airmen than ever before. By offering unwavering support, our employers directly contributed to our state and national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in our National Guard ranks. We have many employers in our state who freely choose to go above and beyond the legal requirements for reemployment, granting leave, and providing seniority benefits. Businesses who employ military employees understand firsthand the importance of and the benefit gained from putting their many transferable skills to work in the civilian workplace.

Military employees have a fast learning curve and possess many transferable skills; have experience working with advanced technology; are proven leaders; have demonstrated teamwork; work well under pressure; and triumph over adversity. Today, the talent in a military employee is very attractive to the modern workplace because of the skills, education, leadership, maturity, and dedication they learned in their military service.

If you are a business who would benefit from hiring a military member in your workforce, I encourage you to seek out and hire this top-notch talent. You may call Ms. Christine Kubik in our Delaware National Guard Joint Support & Outreach Services office at (302) 326-7582 for assistance. Hiring Guard and Reserve members is good for business and good for our community. They are technically savvy, disciplined, good communicators, and fantastic teammates— all qualities employers tell us they’re looking for in an employee.

Employers give our Delaware National Guard members the key to enjoy what America is about: the right to work and provide for themselves and their families and also the honor of serving their nation in its defense. I witness firsthand every day our employer partners’ commitment to doing everything possible for their military employees to ensure they succeed in both their military and civilian careers. Thank you again to all our civilian employers for everything you have done and will continue to do for our great state and nation.

Major General Michael R. Berry is Delaware’s Adjutant General.