Polk County, Fla., deputy sheriff, Reserve officer's two roles blend similar skills

Courtesy Photo | Brian L. Hanger, a Polk County, Fla., deputy sheriff, joined thousands of other first responders last year to help recovering hurricane victims, following the devastating effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Then, the U.S. Army Reserve captain had to cut his part in that mission short to take his skills to the larger arena of the Global War on Terror (GWOT).  

QATAR

05.08.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

by Spc. Jennifer Sardam
USCENTCOM PAO/ESGR Forward Team

QATAR - Brian L. Hanger, a Polk County, Fla., deputy sheriff, joined thousands of other first responders last year to help recovering hurricane victims, following the devastating effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Then, the U.S. Army Reserve captain had to cut his part in that mission short to take his skills to the larger arena of the Global War on Terror (GWOT).

Hanger, a military intelligence analyst individually mobilized to the middle-eastern peninsula country of Qatar, evaluates political information on countries in the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of operations (AOR).

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, and into Central Asia. USCENTCOM is one of nine unified commands in the Department of Defense (DOD).

Central Command's mission includes enhancing regional stability and demonstrating a steadfast commitment to regional security. CENTCOM is also responsible for executing the GWOT in its assigned 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.

Hanger is deployed here in support of Operations Enduring (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF), both missions managed by USCENTCOM.

In the CENTCOM AOR, OEF encompasses two major missions led by Combined Forces Command Afghanistan (CFC-A) and Combined Joint Task Force HOA.

CFC-A conducts full-spectrum operations throughout the combined joint operations area to defeat Al Qaeda and associated movements, establish an enduring Afghan security structure, and reshape its posture for the Long War in order to set the conditions for long-term stability in Afghanistan.

OIF 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.

This is the third time Frostproof, Fla., resident Hanger has worked in the CENTCOM AOR and only one of "dozens of deployments" he's been on since enlisting in the military 20 years ago when he came in 'to do something meaningful."

Hanger said participating in these military operations has provided him with many advantages as a civilian employee. "The biggest thing is that you can show a civilian employer that your unique military experience and status [as a reserve component servicemember] are assets," he remarked. "In addition, you are most likely already physically fit and well educated from your military professional continuing education."

Hanger's civilian career continues to equally benefit his career as a Reserve officer. He referenced 'the skill sets I've learned like management skills [as a deputy]" but stated that both careers continue to develop him effectively as a leader.

In addition, he added the investigative skills you learn in law enforcement are highly similar to the ones used to analyze intelligence.

These transferable skills are especially valuable now, in times of heightened U.S. homeland defense with agencies becoming more military-oriented.

Hanger's military and civilian training mirrors one another.

For example, as a member of the Polk County Sheriff's Office boating enforcement unit and dive team, Hanger and others on the team dive for "everybody," to include the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and surrounding counties. His employer sent him to a two-week anti-terrorism underwater port security force dive class.

Especially, following the lessons learned from Katrina, sheriff's offices, like the one where Hanger works, are now more prepared to take on larger roles in humanitarian relief efforts.

"Almost like the Army, we [Polk County Sheriff's Office] bring our own fuel and food. We feed 400 to 500 people a day, fuel or fix their cars, and provide command and control and basic logistics," explained Hanger. "You'll see this in the more progressive law enforcement agencies. It's the wave of the future."

While he is deployed overseas, Hanger's supervisor and coworkers personally take time to check on his family. "A lot of that started with the hurricanes," he commented. "They [Frostproof residents] had no communication. I introduced the military phone tree and ensured we knew how to get to one another's houses."

Today, more than 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. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is the primary resource for information about the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, commonly known as USERRA. This federal law allows Hanger and other mobilized reserve component members to retain their rights, when the deployment concludes.

Established in 1972, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a DoD agency, provides free USERRA education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. 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. 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]

According to Hanger, the hardest part of this deployment is being separated from his family. He looks forward to returning to his wife of 10 years, Faith, and their two sons, Dalton, 7, and Scott, 10.

ESGR

• Date Taken: 05.08.2006
• Date Posted: 05.08.2006 16:59
• Story ID: 6302
• Location: QA