New Mexico soldier's civilian, military jobs in security services share commonalities

Courtesy Photo | It is just business as usual for U.S. Army Guardsman Sgt. Michael D. Ray -- except for his Army Combat Uniforms and the fact that he's half a world away from his home in Albuquerque, N.M. But providing security for a military installation is something he has been doing for over one year in his civilian career.  

DOHA, QATAR

02.10.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

By Spc. Jennifer Sardam
CENTCOM Public Affairs/ESGR Forward Team

DOHA, Qatar - It is just business as usual for U.S. Army Guardsman Sgt. Michael D. Ray -- except for his Army Combat Uniforms and the fact that he's half a world away from his home in Albuquerque, N.M. But providing security for a military installation is something he has been doing for over one year in his civilian career.

In that capacity, Ray supervises the security detail at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, under Santa Fe Protective Services, a contractor for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). DTRA is a joint-service agency of the Department of Defense (DOD) whose mission is to safeguard the U.S. and its allies from Weapons of Mass Destruction by providing the capabilities to reduce, eliminate and counter the threats, and mitigate their effects.

Ray began working for Santa Fe Protective Services after two years of providing security as a soldier at Kirtland AFB. When the military duties for base security were contracted out, Ray was hired back soon after, but this time in a civilian capacity.

Because the job is basically the same, the transition to deploy to Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) wasn't as difficult as it might have been.

His civilian employer's support also went a long way toward eliminating his concerns. "It wasn't what they wanted to see," said Ray, "but they never gave me any grief. They supported me 100 percent." He commented that the company e-mailed him recently to check on his welfare and keep him updated.

In his Albuquerque unit, he is an infantryman and team leader in 1st Battalion, 217th Infantry.

After 10 years of service in the Army National Guard, this is Ray's second mobilization to provide security. The first came on the heels of 9.11, when he and his unit members were activated for almost eight months during Operation Noble Eagle to protect Albuquerque International Airport.

Now, during OEF, Ray is attached to the 111th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, where he is a military police augmentee for Security Forces at U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Forward Headquarters, Qatar. There he provides additional physical security for the installation's contracted security personnel and military policemen.

USCENTCOM located at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla., is the unified command responsible for U.S. security interests in 27 nations that stretch from the Horn of Africa (HOA) through the Arabian Gulf region, into Central Asia. USCENTCOM is one of nine unified commands in DOD.

Central Command's mission includes enhancing regional stability and demonstrating a steadfast commitment to regional security. CENTCOM is also responsible for executing the Global War on Terror in its assigned area of responsibility (AOR), which includes Iraq, Afghanistan and HOA. Other important USCENTCOM activities include humanitarian and security assistance programs, as well as combined training and education opportunities for military members in AOR nations.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA, allows Ray and other mobilized military members to retain their rights to return to their civilian jobs following a deployment. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.

As the 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the information agency for the employers of America's new Minutemen. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at [phone].

• Date Taken: 02.10.2006
• Date Posted: 02.24.2006 14:13
• Story ID: 5501
• Location: DOHA, QA