Endeavoring to Serve Employers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Kelly
  • 920th Rescue Wing
PATRICK AIR FORCE, Fla. --  The 920th Rescue Wing showcased its military heroes and hardware for civilian employers as part of the wing's annual Employer Day during the July drill weekend.
Twenty-six participating employers received an HC-130P/N orientation flight, combat-search-and-rescue mission briefings, high-impact videos, tours and equipment displays, and a luncheon at the base dining facility sponsored by the Florida Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Committee.
"Everyone in the wing is responsible for saving a life," said Col. Steven Kirkpatrick, 920th Rescue Wing commander. "We put this event on to show civilian employers what their employees' military role is in national defense."
Air Force Reserve Airmen juggle a myriad of tasks to include balancing time with their family, career and selfless service to their country. Civilian employers and family members play a key role in their success and are often asked to make sacrifices due to extended absences from work and home life due to long deployments.
Those sacrifices became apparent throughout the day to employer David Trenn with United Space Alliance. "I didn't quite understand the amount of work that goes into being a Reservist, just how much time that goes into making the mission here happen and how little time you have off," he said.
"This has been a very valuable and informative experience, and I have enjoyed every minute of it," Mr. Trenn added.
Mr. Trenn was nominated by Tech. Sgt. Dan Willis, a Space Shuttle optics technician at United Space Alliance by day, and 920th RQW aircraft maintainer during Reserve duty.
"The days of the weekend warrior are forever gone," said Ed Apodaca, Florida ESGR representative and retired Chief Master Sgt. "Our Reserve and Guard forces are being tapped more than ever before to shoulder major mission taskings. Employers play a critical part in making sure those forces, and our country, have the support they need to get the job done," he said.
The day's activities ended at the 308th Rescue Squadron where employers received a pararescue brief and toured the facility. Colonel Kirkpatrick and ESGR representatives presented them with Patriot Awards for their support and participation.
"The Air Force Reserve has extremely supportive communities, families and employers that make it possible for our Reservists to serve their country and be a part of the Rescue Wing's life-saving force. We hope to get our appreciation across to those who make it possible to perform this important mission," said Colonel Kirkpatrick.
During the closing question and answer session with pararescueman Chief Master Sgt. Doug Kestranek, an employer raised his hand. "Today we've seen again and again that you have to be a little crazy to do this mission. Where would you say the pararescue job falls on that scale," he asked.
"I will say this: Crazy, perhaps. Effective, definitely," Chief Kestranek replied.