Employer Support Freedom Award

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber encourages members to support and employ members of the National Guard and Reserve. If your organization employs and provides exceptional support to a National Guard or Reserve member, please encourage your military employees to nominate your organization for the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award by January 18.

What is the Freedom Award?

This is the highest public recognition given by the U.S. Department of Defense to outstanding employers for their support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. It is the highest in a series of employer recognition awards given by the Department of Defense and is presented annually by the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Special focus is given to what employers do "over and above" the support required by law. The fifteen 2010 recipients will be announced in the spring and honored in Washington, D.C. at the 15th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony on September 23, 2010.

Why is it Important?

As a military supporter, your organization can earn national recognition through this unique award. Almost one-half of the U.S. military is comprised of the National Guard and Reserve. The Department of Defense shares these citizen warriors with their civilian employers, many of whom provide significant support to their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. Recipients of the 2009 Freedom Award met privately with President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Dr. Jill Biden, Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Dennis McCarthy presented the awards at a ceremony attended by members of Congress, senior government and military leaders from all Guard and Reserve components.

How Can My Organization Get Nominated?

Nominations must come from a Guard or Reserve member who is employed by the organization they are nominating, or from a family member. The deadline is January 18, 2010. Nearly 2,000 nominations have already been submitted. Please encourage your member employees to nominate your organization today!

For more information about the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, visit here. For more information on other ESGR programs and services, contact ESGR or at 1-800-336-4590.