Photo by Sgt. 1st Class David McCrary, ESGR Forward Team
Story by Spc. Jennifer Sardam, ESGR Forward Team
SOUTHWEST ASIA - Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Thomas J. Blohowiak is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as a track vehicle repairer for the Onalaska, Wis.-based 458th Ordnance Company (Collection and Classification). Blohowiak is serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the official name given to military operations assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure and 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.
Despite the challenges of being far from home and family, Blohowiak said his job 'saving money for the government" makes his time away more personally meaningful. His current mission with the 458th is to 'turn good parts back into the supply system" by salvaging them from old military vehicles so the government can redistribute the recovered parts through supply channels for reuse. "I've really enjoyed seeing this operation being started," remarked Blohowiak, who stated that potentially millions of dollars had already been saved through this process.
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. The unified command of USCENTCOM is 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.
When he is stateside, Blohowiak is also a track vehicle repairer for the 377th Maintenance Company (Direct Support), out of Manitowoc, Wis. With 22 years in the military, this is Blohowiak's first deployment overseas. In his civilian occupation, the sergeant first class is a motor equipment mechanic in De Pere, Wis., for the City of De Pere, where he has worked for five years.
The support of Blohowiak's civilian job back home has increased his ability to focus on the mission by taking care of his family's needs. "They allowed us to continue the dental insurance so my daughter wouldn't have to change orthodontists," he said. "Also, the human resources department stays in touch with my wife to update her and ensure she is doing well."
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 Blohowiak 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.
Blohowiak, who calls Green Bay, Wis., home, has been married to his wife Carrie for seven years. The couple has four children: Maryssa, 14, twins Timothy and Teagan, 4, and Cora, eight months.
Although he misses his family, Blohowiak never regrets his choice to serve his country.
"I've lived my civilian life as well as my military life by the Army values," he emphasized, "and it has caused me to become a better person and parent."
ESGR, USAR