S. C. loadmaster, employee praises Hagemeyer North America for supporting military

Courtesy Photo | Senior Airman Chantal Olski loves the people she works with as a pricing analyst at Hagemeyer North America, her employer of two years. 'My employer supports the military 100 percent,' this loadmaster with the 701st Airlift Squadron out of Charleston, S.C., proudly declared. 'Whenever I need to deploy, they're very supportive. They also give us military leave.' Olski's loyalty to her employer remains strong because they believe in her. 'They encourage me to follow my dreams and pursue my military career,' she reported in her energetic style. 'They're proud of my achievements.'  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.24.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Photo and Story by Senior Master Sgt. Darenda Rogers
USCENTCOM FWD Public Affairs/ESGR Forward Team

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Senior Airman Chantal Olski loves the people she works with as a pricing analyst at Hagemeyer North America, her employer of two years.

"My employer supports the military 100 percent," this loadmaster with the 701st Airlift Squadron out of Charleston, S.C., proudly declared. "Whenever I need to deploy, they're very supportive. They also give us military leave."

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 Olski 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].

Olski stays busy in her civilian job with a variety of tasks. "The work environment is welcoming and comforting," she emphasized. "Although it has a high stress level, everyone helps each other out and gets the job done." With a light in her eyes, she acknowledged, "It's a family, just like my crew here on the plane."

Four years ago, her commitment to her country surprised both family and friends though. "This [being in the military] is something I always wanted to do," she emphatically stated. "When 9-11 happened, some friends joined [the military] and came back to tell about their experiences," she said. "I wanted to do my part, so I joined too."

"My mom was so surprised about my decision to join the military," she added "but she likes to brag about the places I go and things I've done."

Olski laughed as she reflected, "She brags about me joining the military instead of my brother."

Family is obviously important to Olski. "My family is really proud of me and what I do in the military," she said. "This is something I've always wanted to do so they're excited about my adventures."

She makes an effort to send them something from every country she visits. "They love to hear my stories about where I went, what I saw, and who I met," she explained.

Not only does Olski get to fly to different countries around the world but she's an important part of the crew caring for the cargo and servicemembers aboard that flight.

Her military responsibilities in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) keep her busy even though a rotation may only be two weeks in duration.

Managed by U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM), located at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla., OEF encompasses two major missions led by Combined Forces Command Afghanistan and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

In the CENTCOM AOR, 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.

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 CENTCOM activities include humanitarian and security assistance programs, as well as combined training and education opportunities for military members in AOR nations.

Olski believes the benefits of her military training carry over into civilian life. Being a loadmaster requires commitment and dedication, awareness of the surroundings, and understanding of people. As a result, "it caused me to become even more detail-oriented in my civilian job and to remember to focus on customer service," she acknowledged.

Olski's loyalty to her employer remains strong because they believe in her. "They encourage me to follow my dreams and pursue my military career," she reported in her energetic style. "They're proud of my achievements."

ESGR

• Date Taken: 05.24.2006
• Date Posted: 05.24.2006 16:15
• Story ID: 6514
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)