Courtesy Photo | Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Christopher Bartholomew, a corrections officer for the State...... read more read more
Subscribe
by Senior Master Sgt. Darenda Rogers
ESGR Forward Team
IRAQ - Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Christopher Lee Bartholomew is currently deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the official name given to military operations 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.
According to Bartholomew, the hardest part of this deployment has been "watching the kids grow up in pictures." In spite of these challenges, however, Bartholomew said that being part of Operation Iraqi Freedom helps make 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.
In Iraq, Bartholomew serves as a transportation supervisor and convoy operations team noncommissioned officer in charge of the 970th Transportation Corps Detachment (Movement Control). He explained that his unit performs as the "air traffic controllers of the highway." Bartholomew loves his work even though it requires long, hot hours for both him and his team working with the convoys and patrols to provide clearance, communications, and other requirements to ensure preparedness for the mission. The Staff Sergeant has served in the military for 17 years; this is his sixth deployment overseas.
In his civilian occupation, Bartholomew has been a corrections officer for the State of Idaho Department of Corrections for four years. Bartholomew expressed gratitude for an employer and supervisor who was very supportive of his deployment. "They told me to go do what you need to do and get back," 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 (name) 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 (800) 336-4590.
Bartholomew pointed out that skills practiced while deployed will spill over into all facets of his life when he returns to the U.S. "I have definitely gained a willingness to communicate to everyone what's going on," he stated. "I've learned not to jump to any conclusions and have gained so much patience [with situations and people]. Although he is proud of this opportunity to again serve his country, he looks forward to returning to his family and work back home.
Bartholomew and his wife of 12 years, Tammy, call Eugene, Ore. home. They have three children: Mitch, Scott, and Shannon.
USAR
| Date Taken: | 07.12.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 07.12.2006 09:13 |
| Story ID: | 7160 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 134 |
| Downloads: | 24 |
This work, State of Idaho Department of Corrections officer manages transportation while overseas, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
