DoD Names Local Employers with Freedom Award

Today, the Department of Defense, announced 15 recipients of the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

The freedom award is the department’s highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of guard and reserve employees.  These employers distinguished themselves among the 2,899 nominations received from guardsmen and reservists.  The 2013 recipients will be honored at the 18th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 26, 2013.

Companies with local offices that are receiving the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award recipients are:

• Bank of America
• DaVita Inc
• Safeway
• U.S. Bank

Freedom award recipients go to extraordinary lengths to support their military employees through both formal and informal initiatives.  The 2013 recipients’ exemplary support includes forming an employee resource network for military employees and their families, providing additional paid military leave to guard and reserve employees, setting and surpassing employment goals for veterans and service members, and extending personal support to families.

Since 1996, only 175 employers have received the freedom award.  Previous awardees have met with the president and vice president of the United States, and the secretary of defense and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

For more information about the freedom award and this year’s recipients, visit www.FreedomAward.mil under the media tab in the press releases section.

About ESGR and the Freedom Award

The freedom award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), to recognize exceptional support from the employer community. ESGR develops and maintains employer support for guard and reserve service.  ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers.  Paramount to ESGR’s mission is encouraging employment of guardsmen and reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.