Teaching Bosses a lesson

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Dennard
  • Public Affiars
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga., --  Sixteen civilian employers visited Dobbins Aug. 4 for Employers' Day 2007. The guests were treated to a base tour, a security forces static display, an explosive ordnance disposal demonstration, and a C-130 orientation flight. 

Employers' Day is an annual Dobbins event where reservists' civilian supervisors get the opportunity to see just what they do here during a Unit Training Assembly, and what they would do if they deployed. 

"I didn't realize how much he has to do on UTA weekends," said Chris Sellers of McClane Southeast. Mr. Sellers was here in support of Tech. Sgt. Scott Brown of the 94th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "I have a better appreciation for what he does here now, and how he balances his family," he added. 

The day began with a brief from Col. Heath Nuckolls, 94th Airlift Wing commander and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve representative Penelope Harbour. Afterwards, employers watched as the 94th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight detonated several devices...one set inside a doomed honeydew melon. 

The ESGR organization sponsored lunch at the Services dining facility which gave employers a first hand taste of what is served on a UTA. The highlight of the tour, the C-130 orientation flight, proved to be the most popular with the guests and included an exercise by the 94th Aeormedical Evacuation Squadron personnel. 

"This was my first time flying on a military aircraft," said Jimmy Holland from the Georgia Department of Corrections Probation Division. "Seeing all the medical equipment inside, it was kind of like a mini-hospital," he said. 

Employers' Day is important on several levels. First, it provides servicemembers employers the opportunity to better understand life as a reservist. Secondly, it gives the opportunity for the reserve command to thank those who support the reserve mission. Often, Employers' Day is the only chance people have to actually come inside a military installation like Dobbins and see equipment up close. 

"I didn't know much about the base before," said Gary Sparks of the Medical Center of Central Georgia. "This is my first time here, so everything is new." 

With knowledge of what reservists do for the military, these employers are now able to pass along that information to others, increasing support for the reserve mission. 

"This job is important," said Mr. Sparks, describing what he thinks is essential for other employers to know about having employees who are reservists. "It's an intrical part of our freedom."