Air Guard staff sergeant, Benefit Partners employee deploys in support of GWOT

Photo By Sgt. Jennifer Sardam | Air Guard Staff Sgt. Patti L. Findley is currently deployed in support of both Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom (OEF, OIF), in support of the Global War on Terror. OEF is the official name given to military operations from Afghanistan to the Horn of Africa (HOA).  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.08.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

by Spc. Jennifer Sardam
USCENTCOM PAO/ESGR Forward Team

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Air Guard Staff Sgt. Patti L. Findley is currently deployed in support of both Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom (OEF, OIF), in support of the Global War on Terror.

OEF is the official name given to military operations from Afghanistan to the Horn of Africa (HOA). OIF assists in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority, and fulfilling a responsibility to defend and preserve Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

Despite the challenges of being mobilized thousands of miles from home, Findley is sustained by her patriotic pride. "To me, serving my country is an honor," she said. "To serve for those who died on 9-11, and in their honor, makes it easy to put on my uniform every day."

At her forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia, Findley is a customer support administrator providing support to the 386th Expeditionary Operations Group.

Active-duty and reserve component members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are deployed under the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) to support the war against global terrorism outside the borders of the United States. USCENTCOM is the unified command responsible for U.S. security interests and assets in 27 nations stretching from the HOA, through the Arabian Gulf region, and into Central Asia.

With 12 years in the military, Findley, who is on her fourth deployment in nine months, said she's always able to adapt quickly and has "never met a stranger."

When Findley is stateside, she is an information manager for the 136th Airlift Wing at Carswell Field in Forth Worth, Texas.

In her civilian role, Findley is a communications specialist in Dallas for Benefit Partners, Inc., where she has worked for two years. There she provides quality control checks on outgoing corporate communications, talks to potential clients, provides photography for marketing collateral such as company brochures, and attends tradeshows.

While their employee is away, Benefit Partners supports Findley by staying in touch. "I get encouraging e-mails often," she said, adding that she receives such sentiments as, "Your desk is waiting for you," and "Come back safely."

In return, she signifies her appreciation by keeping her coworkers in her thoughts overseas. "I fly the flag everywhere in Afghanistan and all over Iraq for them everywhere I go in the area of operations," she explained, referring to Chris Merlo, the company's chief executive officer, and his business partner, Vicki Davis.

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 Findley 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]

Findley, who calls Ennis, Texas, home, feels confident about returning to friends, family and her job at home. "I feel like my employers are serving right along with me with their support," she added.

ESGR

• Date Taken: 05.08.2006
• Date Posted: 05.08.2006 17:21
• Story ID: 6306
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)