SAIC employee coordinates projects of a different nature in Afghanistan

Courtesy Photo | Colonel Anthony Osterman, assigned to the Marine Forces Command in Norfolk, Va. is shown here deployed in Kabul Afghanistan.  

AFGHANISTAN

05.24.2006

Courtesy Story

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Photo and Story by Sergeant First Class, David McCrary, ESGR FWD Team

AFGHANISTAN - Marine Reserve Colonel Anthony Osterman from Virginia Beach, Va. is currently deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the official name given to military operations from Afghanistan to the Horn of Africa in support of the Global War on Terror.

Osterman says that it's the little things he misses most like hanging out with his best friend, Joyce, better known as his wife of 14 years, and interacting with his daughters whether across the table discussing homework or in the bleachers watching a game.

In spite of these challenges, however, Osterman affirmed that being part of Operation Enduring Freedom makes up for any hardships that he 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.

There is no question this man of few words is proud of his military career. When a close friend, who was like an older brother to him, got killed in Vietnam in 1966, he knew he had to join. As he reflected on the various positions fulfilled throughout his career, he confirmed that the best times of his career was when he was an infantry officer responsible for leading and training Marines.

Osterman currently serves as operations officer of the Combined Security Transition Command- Afghanistan. He is now responsible for training, equipping, and manning the Afghan security forces. The Colonel has served in the military for 27 years and has served on multiple deployments as a reservist. In his civilian occupation, Osterman has served as an operations senior military analyst for Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) for eight years.

Osterman's employer regrets his absence but they are supportive of his military career "because I bring additional skills and experience to the company each time I deploy," he explained.
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 Osterman 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].

Osterman appreciates the support SAIC provides to its Guard and Reserve members. "They bend over backwards upon return from deployments," he pointed out, 'to quickly get us reassimilated into the company."

Osterman, who calls Virginia Beach Va., his home, is the son of Harry and Mary Louise Osterman of Sanford, N.C., is married to Joyce and has two daughters, Katie " 13 and Olivia " 9.

ESGR

• Date Taken: 05.24.2006
• Date Posted: 05.24.2006 16:32
• Story ID: 6516
• Location: AF