Great River Medical Center employee sends its own with medical company deployed to Iraq

Courtesy Photo | Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack listens as 1st Lt. Kara N. Schafer explains the responsibilities of the 738th Area Medical Support Company during their deployment to Iraq.  

05.24.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Photo by SFC David L. McCrary, ESGR FWD Team
Story by Senior Master Sgt. Darenda Rogers, ESGR FWD Team

IRAQ - U.S. Army National Guard 1LT Kara N. Schafer of the 134th Medical Company (Ground Ambulance) out of Washington, Iowa is currently deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), the official name given to the military operation which is assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

Being away from her daughter and husband has been difficult however having her sister, Kami, a member of the same unit eases some of that loss. Schafer confirmed that being part of Operation Iraqi Freedom makes up for any hardship she may encounter.

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

In Iraq, Schafer serves as the executive officer of the 134th Medical Company, a unit tasked with providing ground evacuations and level 1 healthcare to Multi National Corps-Iraq soldiers and civilians in the area of operations. She is responsible for ensuring the commander's goals are carried out. She also mentors and trains two platoon leaders in the company and acts as the company safety officer. Having served in the military for 10 years, this is Schafer's first deployment overseas.

In her civilian occupation, Schafer serves as a registered nurse. She loves her work in the medical field which she discovered as a result of joining the Army. It was there that she gained her first medical training causing her to pursue her bachelor's degree in nursing with the educational benefits available to National Guard members.

Schafer currently works with the Great River Medical Center in Burlington, Iowa where she is confident of her employer's support. "My employer assured me I would have a job to come home to," she stated. "The Human Resource Manager, Terri Buck, keeps me informed on all changes in company policy via email."

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 Schafer 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].

Schafer expressed gratitude for such a supportive employer. "My employer has been wonderful in working with me and my schedule," she explained. "I asked them " with less than one week's notice " if I could begin working full-time at the armory to get this company ready to deploy and they were completely cooperative."

Schafer, who calls Sperry, Iowa, her home, celebrates 5 years of marriage to her husband, Brian, who is "an awesome husband and father." They have one daughter, Carly, two years old. "My husband has been very supportive during my deployment," she affirmed.

"He tells me all about the things my daughter has been doing." Looking out at the bunkers, she declares, "I could not do this without his support!"

ESGR

• Date Taken: 05.24.2006
• Date Posted: 05.24.2006 09:09
• Story ID: 6488