BellSouth service technician trains Soldiers for communications in support of OEF and OIF

Courtesy Photo | While visiting Kuwait on June 21st, 2006, Gov. Mark Sanford, S.C., pauses in the dining facility for a photo with one his soldiers, South Carolina Army National Guard Staff Sgt. David Wilson, a service technician for Bell South out of Spartanburg, S.C.  

IRAQ

07.21.2006

Courtesy Story

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

by Senior Master Sgt. Darenda Rogers
ESGR Forward Team

IRAQ - South Carolina Army National Guard Staff Sgt. David Wilson of the 228th Mobile Communications Detachment out of Spartanburg, S.C. is currently deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait in support of both 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 and 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 Wilson, being separated from his family has been the hardest part of this deployment. "My family has been very supportive and I am anxious to see them again," Wilson acknowledged. In spite of these challenges, however, Wilson said that being part of Operation Iraqi Freedom helps to 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 Kuwait, Wilson serves as a training noncommissioned officer for the Coalition Forces Land Component Command-Signal and Computer Systems. He is responsible for ensuring all soldiers in the section are trained on the applicable transmission equipment, from radios to computers, as well as maintaining the training records to ensure all personnel are current with all other training requirements. The Staff Sergeant has served in the military for 14 years; this is his second deployment overseas.

BellSouth of Spartanburg, S.C., Wilson's employer for the past six years stands beside him as he serves his country. His civilian responsibilities include residential and commercial installation and repair of telephone lines. According to Wilson, he has "100 percent support from my employer." He can't wait to return there. "Guys at the work center help my wife from time to time," he explained. "I can't wait to get back [to work]."

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 Wilson 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].

Wilson indicated that he will return a better civilian employee as a result of his deployment. "From this experience, I will bring back extensive knowledge of networking in any environment as well as repair techniques which will prove useful in my civilian job," Wilson affirmed. Although Wilson is proud to serve his country, he looks forward to returning to his family, friends, and work.

Wilson, who calls Spartanburg, S.C. his home, is married to Katie and has four children: Tim, Lisa, Kyle, and Chris.

• Date Taken: 07.21.2006
• Date Posted: 07.21.2006 12:19
• Story ID: 7269
• Location: IQ