Balancing Act
ESGR helps win employers' support for the Guard and Reserve.
By Col. Warrn S. Lacy, USA-Ret.

Welcome to hot August nights - and even hotter August days. Here on the steamy banks of the Potomac, activity slows to a crawl this time of year. Those who can, escape to cooler climates. Even Congress takes recess for most of the month, abandoning Capitol Hill to listless lines of tourists.

While many of us enjoy these lazy, hazy days of summer, we also are aware that the pace will not slow for men and women of the uniformed services. In fact, the operations tempo since last September has been grueling. The war on terrorism continues around the clock, around the world.

Thinking about servicemembers who will not be able to relax and enjoy a quiet summer with family, we realize the impact goes well beyond the active forces. As has been the tradition since our nation's founding, our citizen soldiers play a vital role in national defense. This role became even more evident after Sept. 11.

National Guard and Reserve members hit the front lines of the war against terrorism at the very beginning. New York Guard and Reserve troops immediately deployed to Manhattan streets, helping emergency units and standing guard. Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia Guard and Reserve members dashed to the Pentagon - even before they got the official call to duty. Reserve component troops were among the first on the scene in Pennsylvania. By noon on Sept. 12, more than 6,000 citizen soldiers had answered their country's call.

Soon after Sept. 11, the Coast Guard began its largest mobilization since World War II. Today, more than 85,000 reserve component members are fighting the war on terrorism overseas and at home. They provide 50 percent of the force protection for our bases and installations; 25 percent of our war-fighting support; and 25 percent of command and control, communications, intelligence, and mobilization support. Until the mission of airport protection was transferred to the new Transportation Security Authority, more than 9,000 guardmembers provided security and protected passengers at our nation's airports.

Expanded missions, however, come with higher costs to individuals, their families, and their civilian employers. One of the toughest tasks for citizen soldiers is balancing military and civilian careers. How do you please two bosses and stay current in two career fields? Whom do you call when careers clash?

One answer to these questions is the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (esgr). Our cover story, “When Duty Calls,” takes a look at this agency that exists to win employers' support for a strong National Guard and Reserve system. Check it out. And, if you have a chance, lend a hand to help explain to civilian employers the vital role of America's citizen soldiers.