MCL Industries sets the standards high supporting of one of their own

Courtesy Photo | Michael Petzold, Director of Continual Support for MCL Industries, Inc., in Pulaski, Wis., is seen here at Navy Central Command Headquarters, Bahrain where he was assigned as Augmentation Cell officer in-charge. Petzold is a commander in the Navy Reserves.  

BAHRAIN

07.21.2006

Courtesy Story

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

by Lt. Col. Martin Moerschell
ESGR Forward Team

BAHRAIN - U.S. Navy CDR Michael Petzold, a reservist assigned to the Navy Operational Support Center in Green Bay, Wis, is currently deployed to Navy Central Command Headquarters in Bahrain supporting 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.

"Being away from my home and family has to be the single most difficult part of being deployed," Petzold said. In spite of these challenges, however, Petzold said that being part of Operation Enduring Freedom makes up for many of the hardships he encounters.

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.

At Navy Central Command, Petzold serves as the augmentation cell officer in charge. He is responsible for the placement and tracking of all Navy reservist assigned throughout the theater in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.

He ensures theater sailors receive proper training, that pay issues are resolved and that they are properly equipped. The Commander has served in the military for 21 years and this is his second deployment as a reservist supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

In his civilian occupation, Petzold has been the director of Continual Improvement for MCL Industries, Inc., in Pulaski, Wis., for five years. "My employer has been outstanding and has set the bar when it comes to supporting our deployed troops," said Petzold. "I receive care packages on a regular basis, they are compensating me the difference in the pay I lost by coming on active duty, while mobilized I received a promotion in the company,

I am kept in the loop on activities in the company while I am away, and to top it off, MCL Industries bought me and my family a Disney World vacation package!" exclaimed Petzold. "MCL Industries has been so supportive they surpass the Navy family support center; I'm truly amazed," said Petzold. "My employer has never made me feel nervous or uncomfortable about being mobilized in the support of the Global War on Terrorism.

I can not say enough of how supportive MCL Industries has been. I am able to focus on my mission here without worrying about what's happening back home," said Petzold.

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 Petzold 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].

"I have a big family and my wife, Jennifer, has the toughest role of keeping the family running smoothly from day to say. In the military, we have ways to recognize military members, but spouses who take on so much in the absence of the military member, deserve a lot of recognition in my opinion," said Petzold. "I am so proud of my family and of the sacrifices they make to allow me to do my part in supporting America in the Global War on Terrorism," Petzold said.

Petzold, who calls Seymour, Wis. his home, is the proud son of Richard and Delia Petzold from Crandon, Wis. He is married to the former Jennifer Vander Zanden of Little Chute, Wis, They have seven children: Pamela, Nicole, Alex, Eric, Jack, Oskar and Barbara.

• Date Taken: 07.21.2006
• Date Posted: 07.21.2006 11:38
• Story ID: 7263
• Location: BH