Morristown Police Department takes care of its own while he is deployed to OIF.

Courtesy Photo | Second Lt. Christopher Gann, a Morristown, Tenn., policeman, is currently serving with the Army Reserve 721st Postal Adjutant General Company, in Doha, Qatar. Gann is shown here at his office in Qatar.  

OHA, QATAR

03.07.2006

Courtesy Story

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OHA, Qatar - Morristown, Tenn., Police Department left no question in the mind of 2nd Lt. Christopher Gann that he would be welcomed back. "Chief of Police Roger Overholt is very supportive," declares the Army Reserve soldier. "He has emailed me several times and told me that he is praying for me and my family. Also they continued my health care, so my kids don't have to switch doctors."

"The chief's assistant calls my wife about once a month to make sure they're all doing well," Gann elaborates. "It makes my day whenever I hear from anyone in the police department because I enjoy my job there so much!"

As committed as he is to the force back home, this citizen soldier equally supports his force serving overseas. As the officer in charge of the deployed 721st Postal Adjutant General Company out of Oak Ridge, Tenn., Gann supervises 16 personnel in his two units serving in Qatar and Africa.

He oversees daily operations to ensure all personnel handle mail properly and get it out in a timely fashion. His duties also include coordinating with higher commands to ensure the needs of the communities they are supporting are met. "The days are long but rewarding," he asserts.

Troops supported by the 721st are assigned to both Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

Operation Iraqi Freedom began with the liberation of Iraq in 2003 and has resulted in two democratic elections, a constitutional referendum and the development of a professional Iraqi security force. In partnership with the Iraqi government, the coalition forces are helping the Iraqi people defeat terrorists and build an inclusive democratic state. The Coalition Forces, to include the Iraqi Army, are conducting full-spectrum counter-insurgency operations to isolate and neutralize the former regime extremists and foreign terrorists. Coalition forces organize, train and equip Iraqi security forces, in order to create a secure environment that allows the reconstruction process to continue.

The military command responsible for managing OEF and OIF is the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM).

Located at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla., USCENTCOM 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 the Department of Defense (DOD).

Central Command's (CENTCOM) 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.

While her husband is away, Gann's wife stands strong for him. "She volunteered to become the Family Readiness Group leader at home. She's also quite busy caring for our babies while still working full time in her dad's office," Gann says.

Not only does his wife keep the home fires burning, she maintains connections by sending special care packages to her husband. "She stays occupied to make the time pass more quickly," says Gann with a smile. "She sends me scrapbooks and tapes of my favorite TV shows."

Gann's conviction that family makes a huge difference is clearly evident. "My mom and dad find this [deployment] incredibly challenging," he acknowledged. With a chuckle, he adds, "They've boo-hoo"ed on me so many times it's not even funny. Although they wish their one and only child had not joined the military, they are so proud whenever they hear of the accomplishments."

As important as his immediate family is to him, so is his employer. "My fellow police officers trained me to do the job," Gann soberly states.

Interestingly, Gann's hometown unit commander influenced him to join the service.

"I worked at Hardee's for five years, and my boss there was my company commander. He kept giving me all these reasons I should get in the military," he recalls. "He was telling me that every year they go to a foreign country to train for two weeks, so I saw it as an opportunity for a paid vacation when I got off work," he laughs. "The benefits, bonuses and experiences have really made a difference in my life."

Military tuition assistance, which is one of the reasons Gann joined the military, allowed him to earn his degree in sociology.

He explains with pride that he carries on a family legacy of military service.

"My grandfather was in the Army when the U.S. was gearing up for Korea," says Gann. "My father was born while he was on active duty."

Gann also recognizes the benefits his Army service has afforded him personally. "The military's taught me a lot of discipline and standards. It really helps me out on the streets back home."

"They've put their trust in me when their lives are on the line every day," Gann says. "They'll trust me when I come back home even though I've been gone so long." With a twinkle in his eye, he adds "They're even taking care of my patrol car for me."

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA, allow Gann and other mobilized 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].

Gann's employer's support will carry him through this mission and back to his job at home in Morristown, Tenn., he claims. "The positive outlook and camaraderie Capt. Gary Lowe, my civilian supervisor, provides reassures me that I will have my job when I get back home. He keeps me informed of what's going on in the police department so I'm still up to speed on what's going on at home."

• Date Taken: 03.07.2006
• Date Posted: 03.07.2006 14:41
• Story ID: 5640
• Location: OHA, QA